CarModelProblems.com

2002 Buick Century Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
154Complaints
2Recalls
9Crashes
4Fires
11Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (11% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System17 · 11%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling14 · 9.1%not available
Exterior Lighting10 · 6.5%not available
Exterior Lighting:headlights8 · 5.2%not available
Engine8 · 5.2%not available
Service Brakes8 · 5.2%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17 · 11%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14 · 9.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING10 · 6.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS8 · 5.2%
ENGINE8 · 5.2%
SERVICE BRAKES8 · 5.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM7 · 4.5%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS7 · 4.5%
STEERING6 · 3.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 · 3.2%

Percentages are the share of the 154 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Steering

NHTSA campaign 09E005000 · 2009 · reported 02/17/2009

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION TO START CAR, THE POSITION OF GEARS GOES DARK. IF I JIGGLE THE KEY, OR TURN IT BACK (VERY…”NHTSA complaint 10605196 — filed 06/23/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF!”NHTSA complaint 10499646 — filed 02/22/2013 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“ELECTRONIC ODOMETER LIGHT FAILED. THEREFORE ONE CAN NOT READ THE ODOMETER. FROM TALKING WITH THE SERVICE TECH AT THE BUICK DEALERSHIP IN ANDERSON, INDIANA HE…”NHTSA complaint 10440993 — filed 12/22/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2620071342009151120116420131782015242017512020442023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick Century?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 17 of 154 NHTSA complaints (11%), followed by engine and engine cooling (14), exterior lighting (10), exterior lighting:headlights (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Buick Century have?

154 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Buick Century have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E005000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Buick Century's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.