2001 Buick Century: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2001 Buick Century: 3 recalls, 145 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #00V228003 · 2000 · 156,305 vehicles
What's wrong: The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant May not be properly restrained.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
Airbags Vehicle recall #00V371000 · 2000 · 12 vehicles
What's wrong: Some of these vehicles exhibit a condition in which the driver side impact air bag inflator separates from the air bag module during deployment.
Why it matters: If the inflator separates, the air bag will not deploy properly during a crash and occupant protection would be reduced. If is also possible that a separated inflator could be propelled downward and could result in injury to a rear seat passenger whose foot is positioned approximately under the…
The fix: Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #01V109000 · 2001 · 116,007 vehicles
What's wrong: 208, "occupant crash protection." these vehicles have a message area less than 30 cm which does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Why it matters: These vehicles do not comply with the standard.
The fix: Gm will mail a new bilingual air bag label with installation instructions. However, the customer May bring the label to their dealer for installation free of charge. Owner notification began May 4, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free label and installation instructions within a reasonable time…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system (other) Equipment recall #07E021000 · 2007 · 742 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer.
Why it matters: Fuel May leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
The fix: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.
Steering Equipment recall #09E005000 · 2009 · 979 vehicles
What's wrong: 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutionstm" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
Why it matters: A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (27): the most common themes are leaks (9), noise or vibration (4), stalls / loses power (4).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (22): the most common themes are warning light on (6), noise or vibration (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (21): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (9), noise or vibration (3).
- Speed control / throttle (19): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (5).
The 2001 Buick Century has 145 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 16 Century model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 106). Complaints peaked in 2002 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 54,800 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (193 complaints, 5 recalls), 2002 (154 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2001 Buick Century.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2001 Buick Century have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Buick Century, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2001 Buick Century problems?
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (27), brakes (hydraulic) (22), transmission & drivetrain (21).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Buick Century get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.1 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2001 Buick Century repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.