Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Buick Century, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 13% |
| Exterior lighting | 19 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 18 | 11% |
| Visibility | 18 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 7% |
| Air bags | 9 | 5% |
| Structure | 6 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 2% |
| Engine | 4 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
UNKNOWN; The issues started around 6 months ago. Just casually driving like usual, and my steering wheel would lock up and be ridiculously hard to turn, which is scary because its happened while turning through lights an
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Right front Cooper GS5 Grand Touring 205/70 R15 96T with only 862 miles on it had a complete air loss/went completely flat when car was turning into a parking lot. This is one of a set of brand new tires on the car. Th
NHTSA complaint: Tires
While letting off the gas in order to break, the accelerator pedal went to the floor on its own for about 3 seconds. Pushing on the break stopped the accelerator.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I was driving at night switched headlights to high beams - few minutes later switched back to low beams and ALL LIGHTS dash and head lights went completely out . Tried to pull head light knob and nothing - pitch black
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
BOTH FRONT SIDES HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE ABS, SERVICE SOON, ALSO THE TRACTION OFF LIGHTS . COMES ON AND STAY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ONCE I TURN VEHICLE OFF IT GOES OFF.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WAS AT THE GAS STATION TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS STATION MANY COULD OF BEEN KILLED AND OR INJURED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
INTAKE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE - COST TOO MUCH TO REPAIR FOR ME. MY ONLY CAR TO GET TO WORK. REPLACING BEARINGS TODAY FOR STICKING BACK BRAKES. ALL INTERIOR ACCESSORIES ARE BROKEN; COSMETIC MIRROR, ASHTRAY, CENTER CONSOLE, P
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2002 Buick Century. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" 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
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
| Reliability raw | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 22 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.