Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration when shifted. As a result, the contact crashed into a curb and continued down a lawn. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front axel and the muffler fractured. In addition, a piece of the transmission detached and oil leaked from under the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000. Updated 03/16/16*lj the consumer stated the electronic control system malfunctioned.
Buick Century sudden acceleration problems
28 of the 1,688 owner complaints about the Buick Century describe sudden unintended acceleration, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 28
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical mileage
- 68,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
I had driven my 2003 buick century at least halfway into a parking space in a parking lot when it suddenly lurched forward like a bat out of hell, leaping up over a curb on an upward slope, swiping a cement lightpost on the left, crashing into another car across its left front, bumping down over a curb, then crashing up and over two more curbs. With divine help I was able to avoid other cars and steer it to a stop, then drive gingerly into the original parking space. Since I was originally in the process of slowing to a stop, my right foot was on the brake at all times. I had never heard of many automakers' infamous "sudden unintended acceleration" manufacturing defect and had no idea what was happening as the car went from 1 or 2 MPH to full throttle instantly. With both hands grasping the steering wheel while the car jerked violently, I was unable to shift into neutral, as I was attempting to avoid other parked vehicles. I emerged with no broken bones, but the car was totaled. Because I am a "little old lady," the insurance company deems me "l00% responsible," in spite of my clean driving record. But "sudden unintended acceleration" fits my scenario to a tee.
Turned on speed control while driving on interstate, pressed set button to set the speed. The cruise indicator light came on. The car accelerated on its own. My speed went from 65 MPH to 80 MPH in a few seconds. I depressed the set button again to decelerate, but when I released the set button, the car immediately accelerated again. I depressed the brake to stop the acceleration & turned the speed control switch to the off position.
2003 buick century. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. *smd the consumer stated for the past 1 1/2 years the vehicle has accelerated on its own at a very high speed. It would accelerate up to 60 MPH, even when her foot was not on the accelerator. Also, the vehicle would idle very high, when the acceleration occurred.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving at approximately 50 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact turned off the cruise control but the vehicle continued to accelerate until the brakes were applied. The failure continued to occur intermittently whether the cruise control was engaged or not. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The current mileage was approximately 76,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick century. The contact's wife was applying the brakes while pulling into the driveway when the vehicle surged forward into the garage. There were no injuries and no police report was taken. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealership and had not spoken with the manufacturer to-date. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 102,000. Updated 03/19/2010. *lj updated 07/14/10
2001 buick century suddenly accelerates when cruise control is on but not engaged. This typically happens when hitting a bump or pot hole or putting on the turn signal. Also, the car has suddenly accelerated when driving on a smooth road with the cruise control engaged. I have be able to stop the acceleration by either tapping the brake or turning off the cruise control with the switch at the end of the stalk. I no longer drive with the cruise control turned; and have not experienced any problem as long as the cruise control is not turned on. This event has occurred several times over the past 12 months.
While driving at normal speed and without any warning vehicle suddenly accelerated. Dealer replaced the gas pedal assembly, but problem recurred.
Intermittently the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. The dealer inspected the vehicle several times and could not duplicate or correct the problem. *ak *scc
Had the speed control function on while driving 65 MPH. Vehicle suddenly accelerated to 90 MPH. Brakes were applied to decelerate vehicle, which deactivated the cruise control. Had taken vehicle to dealership, where mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: springs
- What is wrong
- In the event of a primary accelerator control spring failure, the secondary (back-up) accelerator control return spring will not return the throttle to the fully closed position, as required by fmvss no. 124, "accelerator control system."
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: loss of throttle control could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the secondary throttle return spring.
Recall number 94V008000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: cables
- What is wrong
- During assembly, water may have entered the accelerator control cable conduit causing it to develop a high effort and/or binding condition in very cold weather.
- Risk
- High effort or binding conditions cause loss of normalthrottle control or the throttle may not return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released. If this were to occur while the vehicle is in motion, a vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- The dealer will purge the throttle cable of any internally trapped water, if it is present.
Recall number 94V021000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- The cruise control cable may separate from the conduit end fitting while engaged and accelerator control could be lost.
- Risk
- Loss of accelerator control may not reduce engine speedto a level anticipated by the driver. Although the vehicle can still be stoppedwith the service brake, loss of accelerator control could result in a vehiclecrash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Replace the cruise control cable.
Recall number 93V162000 · Recall details
Questions about the Buick Century sudden acceleration
Which Buick Century years have sudden unintended acceleration problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (5 complaints), 2003 (5 complaints) and 1993 (4 complaints).
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