When driving at night all lights go out, interior and driving lights, resuming when clicking bright light switch. Driving at 65 MPH.
2003 Buick Century lights complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 49, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving 55 MPH, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who suggested that replacing the demo switch from the column may remedy the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the turn signal failed to signal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the headlights suddenly failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
When using turn signals car dies, all the dash lights flash and click. If I pull over and put the car in park it restarts and drives fine until I try the turn signal again then the same thing happens. I also had to disconnect the emergency brake sensor or else the same thing happens. Flashing, clicking and car dies. Now, whenever car is in gear, constant dinging and it will drive fine but I cannot use the turn signals.
Pulled out of gas station to enter street and noticed headlights were not on. Pulled out the head light switch and nothing happened. I pulled back on the bright light switch and the lights came on. Mechanic had told me to try this since this same thing has happened before. Last year, I took the car to the buick dealer for something else, but I brought up having a diagnostics run to see if it would show anything about the light problem. They told me that it wouldn't show up. Now I am afraid to drive this car at night. I have read many letters on the internet regarding this problem. Gm should fix this problem. It would cost about $700.00 to get the switch replaced at the dealer. Does someone have to die if the lights go out while driving?
All lights (ext and control panel) will suddenly go out. If I quickly flick the light control lever they come back on. This is an intermittant problem but quite un nerving! I have seen no recall or service bulliten.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. The contact stated that while parked, both headlights shut off. The contact powered off and restarted the vehicle however, the headlights still did not illuminate. The contact also stated that the low beam lights had to be used when driving at night and the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the switch in the steering column may have needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 75,300. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the headlight dimmer switch failed and the headlights became inoperative. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 54,000.
In january of this year my 2003 buick century began with panel lights flashing on and off at various times making the gauges and speedometer impossible to read. Very expensive estimate to fix. Then in february was driving home at night and the ABS light came on. Took to shop and they couldn't get it to do it. After third time had it repaired. Took whole driver side wheel assembly to get sensor $500. In march driver side window began going up and down by itself. Took it to shop and they are unable to find a problem. The car only does it when the panel lights flash on and off. Bad vibration in the car around june. Had all four tires replaced and new brakes and rotors. On august 4, 2011 vibration started again, then started a popping noise in the front end when starting and stopping. Car vibrates so bad you can not hold steering wheel at 45-50mph. This pop and vibration is now coming from front right side. Not sure what it is yet.
While driving at night my headlights stopped working and then turned back on, this morning as I left for work the headlights did not come on at all, the brights only worked if I held the bar back as it would not stay on by clicking it. After reading all of the problems with this there needs to be a recall on this serious problem. What can be done to make sure this gets taken care of?
While driving at night, my headlights just go out! This has happened often in the last month and a half. I commute an hour to work and it happens at least once a day. It does not matter if they are on manually or automatically, it does not matter if they are on low or high beam. I discovered that the lights come back on if I hit the dimmer switch. This is a dangerous situation and I believe that it is worthy of investigation and a recall being issued. I have seen many complaints online about this situation. What will it take for a recall? Will it take someone getting killed in a head on crash?
Third incident where 2003 buick century headlights (low beam) turned off while driving at night; no controls or buttons touched. First incident at 155,000 miles, second incident at 160,000, and now third incident at 162,500 miles. Situation lasts 10 seconds and then headlights return. Turning dimmer switch makes no difference and nor does high beam control. No diagnostic code appears. Extremely dangerous situation and no recall or technical bulletin issued.
03 buick century headlamps go out while driving seems to be occurring with high beams 'still early in diag have not repaired yet { great christmas gift }.
When I switch to high beams my headlights go out completely. They only go back on when I switch back to dims. This is a common problem and I don't understand why you haven't owned up to it and had a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. The contact was driving various speeds with the headlights in activation. Suddenly, the headlights became inoperative. The contact pulled over to the side of the road with caution and after several attempts the headlights began to operate. The failure occurred intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they informed that the headlight switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000. Updated 2/23/11 *cn also, the front coil springs were replaced. Updated 05/31/11
Driving in the dark with high beams on, the headlights went out completely, had to activate low beams to get lights back on. This is happening frequently.
Tl* the contact own a 2003 buick century. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the headlights failed sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who advised replacing the dimmer switch at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 12/30/10 *bf updated 01/07/11.
Whenever I have attempted to use my high beams, I lose all lights, which is extremely dangerous, especially since I live in a mostly unlighted rural area with many curvy roads. I haven't replaced any parts since I've heard estimates are in the $700+ range, and I cannot afford the expense...I just do not use the high beams at all for fear I'll lose all lights. I still don't feel safe that the lights won't just cut off anyway. I inherited the car in 2008 and noticed the problem right away. This problem occurs every single time I try to use the high beams. I've research the internet and realize there is plenty of documentation that many others have the same problem. This is obviously a manufacturer defect and should be a recall item before a death occurs. Trust me...if I filed a lawsuit, there is plenty of evidence that this is a manufacturer problem and that they are aware of this potentially fatal problem, especially for those who buy the vehicle used and are not aware of the problem.
Almost every time the headlights are changed from high to low beams the lights will shut off compleatly and I will have no headligts at all, I have gone out and purchased a new turnsignal switch and plan to put it in as soon as posible and I will have the old part still. The front drive assembely will grind any time a tire loses traction and spins in either the rain or snow on pavement or off the road in a driveway so my car has been driving in one wheel drive instead of two wheel drive, I have not had the chance to go and buy a new drive axel assembely to correct the problem.
My lights go out when I try to switch from dim to bright. I feel that this could be a big safety issue while driving at night, so I don't switch to bright lights in fear that my lights wont come back on.
The dimmer switch for the headlights. When I was using it last week, it momentarily turned off the exterior lights completely. Very dangerous.
1) while driving on a narrow, curvy, hilly two lane road in the dark I attempted to turn on my high beam headlights as I was having trouble seeing which way the road ways turning. When I click the high beam switch my headlights went out totally and I could not see the road at all. The high beam switch on this car is the general motors multifunction switch mounted on the steering column. I went off the road narrowly missing a large boulder and tree. 2) I had trouble getting the headlights to come back on. My car now only has low beam. The multifunction switch must be fiddled with and operated many time to try to gets the headlight to come back on. If I try to get the high beam headlights to come on the headlights go out and I must play with the switch to have the lights come back on. This is a dangerous situation when you need to travel narrow hilly roads in rural areas without any road lights. When the headlights go out you become surprised and need a second to understand what has happened. In that second you become a little dis-oriented as you are trying to get the lights to come back on and trying to stop. The failure is still there as I am trying to get it in for repair. 3) I will have the car in for repair in the next few day and will ask for the faulty switch back. I have a friend with chevrolet impala who told me he had the sand problem with this general motors multi-function switch. It is the same switch in his car as mine.
While driving home one night, my headlights just went out! This has happened often enough we now do not drive our car at night if at all possible. Through research online and testing it ourselves, we determined that the lights come back on if we flick the dimmer switch. This is a very dangerous situation, and after reading other's similar experiences at aboutautomobile.com (15 different entries), we believe that this is worthy of investigation and a recall being issued. We did take the car to a mechanic who was not sure what might be the cause. Now that we have some idea, we will return to him and get an estimate for repairs. From the online research, we can expect it to cost approximately $600 or more. Thank you for your time.
I have a 2003 buick century v6 while driving at night my lights go out it is very scary and dangerous I would like to no the problem as I have read that there has been others with the same problem also if I hit the dimmer switch they will come back on but then go back off.
I was driving on the interstate to visit friends at about dusk. I always drive with the headlight switch in the "auto" position, but because of weather conditions I switched to the "manual on" position. I continued to drive for another hour and when I got to within 10 minutes of my destination, the interior dash lights and radio started flashing. My headlights were also going off and I could hear the relay on the computer (passenger side) clicking. I stopped and inspected for a shorted wire but found none. I switched to the "auto" position and was able to complete the drive and return back home without recurrence. Testing it again at home the headlights would go on and off in the "manual on " position. After exercising the headlight switch through all the positions numerous times, I could not reproduce the problem.. I believe that the problem was caused by a unused contact on the headlight switch that became oxidized and the low voltage caused the loss of headlights and reaction with the computer controlling them. This is a very dangerous design to be driving at interstate speeds and loose your headlights.
2003 buick century headlights go out while driving. The lights would come back on by flicking the dimmer switch. Extremely dangerous. I was informed it could possibly be the body control module or dimmer switch.
Was driving after dark on country road. Switched on bright lights after a few seconds headlights went out. Pulled over to side of road. Pulled light switch on and off several times and lights came back on. Was afraid to use bright lights again. Is very dangerous as was I was on straight away and little traffic at the moment. Could have been on a curve and could have resulted in crash and or loss of life or at least injuries. Will go to mechanic monday and hopefully can get repaired. Was looking for safety bulletin and or recall or advisory.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving various speeds at night, the headlights dim. When the high beams are activated, the headlights illuminate again. The contact has seen identical failures like this on the internet. The failure and current mileages were 57,000. Updated 12-01-08 *bf the dealer stated the vehicle needed a new multi-function switch. Updated 12/02/08.
One of the taillight bulbs in my fiance's car needs to be replaced more frequently than it should be. I thought the issue might be particular to the car, but I have noticed while driving that other late-model buick century's have the same non-functioning tail-light, so I believe this must be a mfr. Defect.
While driving home from work one evening recently, I attempted to dim my lights for an oncoming vehicle and was shocked to find I had no low beams. I only had highbeams. Had to replace the dimmer switch, which of course operates everything else. About a month ago, my lights went out for about 30 seconds, then no problems until I lost my low beams.
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