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.
Buick Century headlights problems
145 of the 1,688 owner complaints about the Buick Century describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 145
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $682
- typical mileage
- 76,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Warning lights 4Stalling 4Wipers 2Adaptive cruise 2Slipping 1Power windows 1Loss of power 1Harsh shifting 1
What owners say
The vehicle's gas tank won't hold much and clicks as if full. Also, when on uneven pavement or ground, the ⛽ gas warning light comes on, even after gas was just put in. In addition, at times I smell a "burning electrical" smell and the headlights go out, the brights fail to "click" on or goes off by itself. The turn signal lights have to be turned manually to blink. All turn signal lights have been replaced multiple times and this does not fix the problem. The back turn signals work and light up, but not the front & blink at a faster rate. Even one side headlight engagement was replaced and the problems still exist.
I was driving at night when the headlights shut off, had to hit the dash near the light switch to turn the lights back on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick century. On several occasions, while driving, the headlights failed to illuminate without warning. Additionally, when the high beam switch was activated, the check engine, ABS, and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving various speeds, the headlights suddenly shut off. The contact indicated that the failure mainly occurred while switching from low to high beam and vice versa. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. *tt
The multi function switch does not work properly. When going around curves and corners you can't dim the headlights. Because the steering wheel doesn't allow the lever to go far enough to catch. Now my headlights will not turn on when the they are suppose to. My cruise control doesn't work. My A/C stops cooling when the speed reaches 60 MPH but if I move the m.f.s. (aka turn signal) it gets cool again for a few minutes. The other night my lights went off when I was meeting a car with its headlights on bright. It was a dark stretch of road. I almost ran in the ditch.
Dec 17,1999 manufacturer recall numbern990093 the federal safety agency recall number99v356 recall statusrecall incomplete summary these vehicles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the vertical head lamp adjusting device may not be calibrated properly. Safety risk driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
Headlights went off while driving on interstate at night. ( I may have flashed my high beams to signal a truck that it was safe to change lanes before this happened. Interior lights still working when this happened. Nothing I did would bring headlights back on. Very dangerous problem!! Car mileage approximately 62,000. 12/21/2017 date.
1) need headlight adjustment instructions for a known recall. 2) every door window motor in the buick failed on each window preventing the windows from lowering if in the up position or prevented the windows from raising if in a lowered position. The windows had to be duct taped shut in order to prevent rain from entering the vehicle cab and the failures happened over 2015 to 2016 and each had to be replaced with new motors. There are large numbers of buick owners across the internet complaining about this issue but I don't believe buick ever issued a recall but I believe they should have. If this isn't a recall, it should be because of the large number of vehicles experiencing this known failure. The closest buick dealer to us is sam leman chevrolet buick, 1040 west center st., eureka, il. 309‑467‑2351.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving 35 MPH, the headlights failed to respond. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 132,704.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles do not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some of these vehicles do not meet the overhead sign illumination requirements.
- Risk
- Less illumination may reduce the ability of the driver to read overhead signs when driving at night.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new low beam headlamp bulbs in both of the headlamp assemblies. The recall began on september 8, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080. Note: if the bulb needs replacement in the future, gm bulb number 89024715 is available from a dealer, or the equivalent sylvania bulb is 9006hp, with orange lettering on the bulb.
Recall number 04V375000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the vertical head lamp adjusting device may not be calibrated properly.
- Risk
- Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.
Recall number 99V356000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
- Remedy
- Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
Recall number 98V102000 · Recall details
Questions about the Buick Century headlights
Which Buick Century years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (40 complaints), 2002 (25 complaints) and 1999 (20 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Buick Century?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $682 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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