NHTSA — Exterior Lighting: Headlights Problems

4.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,556 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Buick Century lights problems

lights problem

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2002 Buick Century Owner Comments

problem #8

Dec 122007

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,532 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlights on my 65,000mi 2002 Buick Century just quit and then come back on. This problem has occurred 4 four times. The other times it appeared as though I misclicked, but the last time I had to pull over and click the dimmer switch 30+ times. This is a real safety issue and I barely was able to stop in time from 55 mph. The outer headlights are only on in low beam and the inner only on high beam. There are 4 headlights this can't be right all 4 should be on in high beam setting on. Need to check on this headlight operation issue, but felt I should pass this on that these GM models do this.

- Livermore Falls, ME, USA

problem #7

Jul 262007

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Century. While driving 65 mph, the headlights on the vehicle shut off. The lights remained off for two hours before illuminating again. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure. The current mileage was 57,000 and failure mileage was 55,000. The consumer stated the lights malfunctioned 4 times at night and the dealer does not know what is the problem. Updated 09/05/07

- Dover, PA, USA

problem #6

Nov 012005

Century 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
: the contact stated the headlights occasionally failed to remain illuminated, leaving the contact stranded without light while traveling at night. This has occurred at least six times in the last year, currently happening about every other week. The service dealer could not identify the problem.

- Mount Hood Parkdale, OR, USA

problem #5

Nov 012005

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact stated the headlights turned off without warning. When this happened the contact was able to turn them on with the manual switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, but they were unable to diagnose the problem. The lights went out while at the dealership. They suggested the multi-function switch should be replaced, although they were not sure this will correct the problem.

- Fairlawn, OH, USA

problem #4

Aug 022005

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Contact stated when turning bright lights they will be on bright for a while, then the headlights will go off and vehicle will be in total darkness until she clicing back to the regular headlights. This happened just about every time she put on bright lights. She has been having this problem over a year and she had complained to the dealer and because it was not under warranty it would cost $118 an hour to diagnose the problem.

- St Charles, IL, USA

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problem #3

Dec 062004

Century

  • 4,000 miles
While driving at any speed headlights shut off intemittently. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Willow Springs, MO, USA

problem #2

Apr 222004

Century

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,918 miles
At a stop on a hill when depressing the brakes there was a minor vehicle roll back once the foot was off the brake pedal to depress the accelerator pedal. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The vehicle was having problems with excessive rollback while the vehicle was in drive. When the vehicle was tested it rolled back a distance of 15 feet at a speed of 15mph. The vehicle stalled disabling brakes and power steering. The headlights on low beam do not merge. They act as two separate spotlights and distance appears to be limited. The consumer stated that eventually General Motors repurchased the vehicle.

- Pelham, NH, USA

problem #1

Aug 182004

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
I have a 2002 Buick Century custom. The multifunction light, wiper, cruise switch intermittently fails and I lose my headlights. I was driving on a mountain road the first time it happened and I had to turn on my hazards and find a place to stop with a lot of traffic behind me. On two other occassions I had other motorists flash me to let me know to turn on my lights. The failure has happened a lot since and I have to jiggle the switch to get it to work. This failure is extremely dangerous and has put me at serious risk. I have now figured out that jiggling the switch will bring the lights back on but that is no help if I don't know when they are out. I went to the Buick dealer and they want nearly $500 to fix this. I don't have the money to fix it and I will have to park the car for a few of weeks until I can afford to fix it. My real concern is that this could cause a serious accident because you don't know when it will happen. Please feel free to have Buick contact me.

- Washington, UT, USA

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