2002 Buick Century: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jan 25, 2022 · Brakes, Lights · FL

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 . Luckily i was a short distance from my home. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ! I have found 33 complaints (so far) about this same problem. This definitely should qualify and be recalled . PLEASE take IMMEDIATE action . Thank you.

Filed Mar 10, 2017 · Lights · 85,000 miles · OH

Traveling at night, once in heavy traffic with lights on low beam and other times in light or no traffic with lights on high beam, all outside lights go out creating a very dangerous situation. Does not matter if the manual switch is used or if the lights are on automatic. The only thing that makes them come back on is switching the high/ low beam switch. Miles traveled or length of time traveling makes no difference ...random occurrence. Replaced the headlight switches at a auto repair shop made no difference.

Filed Jan 25, 2016 · Lights · PA

While driving, when high-beams were turned on the entire headlight system would shut down leaving driver with absolutely no visibility. Fortunately the headlights did come back on as the dimmer switch was activated and the low-beams did come back on. I can only use my low-beam headlights as this issue happens most times the switch is activated.

Filed Jul 5, 2015 · Lights · 120,300 miles · MI

Headlights go out completely for a few seconds until the bright/dim is switched and then come on. This has happened infrequently since fall of 2014. Doesn't happen when at dealer service or when we test lights after returning home. Dealer says can't be repaired until they can get the incident to repeat. Lights are fine for a while & without warning the situation occurs again. Very alarming! A friend with a buick regal 2002 has the same problem.

Filed Mar 2, 2013 · Electrical · 154,705 miles · OH

This is an addendum to complaint/odi #10499646...this was the scariest experience of my life, driving alone in darkness, at 55mph, and without warning, headlights & dash just shut-off !! No other vehicles on road to help light my way, couldn't see anything, almost ran off the road & got killed, only had this car 10days!! Thought I got a good deal too, but now I'm stuck with a car I can't drive at night. Spoke directly with gm customer relations specialist on 3 separate occasions, who sent me to their gm dealership for inspection. After gm rep spoke with their dealership, they decided due to the age of the vehicle, and mileage, they're not responsible to assist!! I cannot understand, nor will I accept, how this situation could be anything other than a "safety issue"!! Numerous complaints filed on this same vehicle, and many having the same problem, just floating around out there, waiting for the next poor, unsuspecting buyer. I will never purchase another gm product, and I will also do everything in my power to discourage "anyone" I know from doing so. They won't stand behind their defective product, which is now my problem. As I told the gm rep, I can only imagine how many people have not lived to tell "their" story...(no response from them on that comment).

Filed Feb 22, 2013 · Electrical · 154,705 miles · OH

While driving at night, headlights and dash lights completely shut off!

Filed Nov 17, 2011 · Visibility · 78,100 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick century. The contact was driving in a remotely dark area when the high beams were engaged but the headlights failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 78,100 and the current mileage was 102,267.

Filed Dec 7, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · 51,000 miles · NY

Intermittent headlight failure. On several occasions, the headlights have turned off for no reason or warning. This includes the dash lights. This has happened approximately 6 times in the past two years resulting in an extremely dangerous situation. Four of the instances were on roads with no streetlights - an interstate highway, and winding country roads. The only remedy seems to be to move the turn signal lever, both up and down, (turning the cornering lights on - providing a much needed source of light), and back and forth, as if turning the high beam lights on and off. Eventually, the lights seem to come back on. Pulling and pushing the dash mounted light switch on and off does not affect the situation. When mentioned to the local buick dealer's service writer, he had no idea what I was talking about or how to approach the problem.

Filed Oct 26, 2010 · Lights · 80,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick century. While traveling 50 MPH the contact noticed that the high beams had suddenly shut off without warning, within a few seconds, the contact noticed that the headlights had began to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the light switch was replaced. The current mileage was 111000 and the failure mileage was 80000.

Filed Jan 20, 2010 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · MS

On three gm vehicles that I know of (02 century, 05 century, 06 grand prix) the headlights will go out on high beam unexpectedly. Replacing the headlight high beam switch fixes the problem. The 06 grand prix was still under warranty but the dealer refused to correct the problem. They said that until the switch fails completely they will not replace it. Going 70 down the interstate at night and suddenly no lights is not very safe. I know my vehicle (02 century) was high mileage but the other two are not. The dealer not fixing the grand prix that belongs to a friend of mine kind of ticked me off.

Filed Apr 17, 2009 · Lights · 67,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick century. While driving 50-55 MPH at night, the headlights automatically illuminated. When the contact activated the high beams, the headlights went out completely. She had to activate the headlight switch again in order for them to operate. Occasionally, the high beams will turn on, but other times, they will not. The dealer stated that the entire multi-function switch needed to be replaced. The switch was replaced, but the contact believes that a recall should be issued. The failure mileage was 67,000 and current mileage was 72,000. Updated 05/08/09 *bf updated 05/12/09.*jb updated 06/09/09.

Filed Mar 20, 2008 · Lights, Visibility · 38,000 miles · NY

2002 buick century with several problems. Consumer states that the electric window controls had to be replaced due to failure. Headlights started working intermittently. Multi-function switch needs replacement. *kb the consumer stated using the turn signal indicator or the high beams, apparently triggered all the lights to go out. The heater controls did not function properly.