Most common 1997 Buick Century problems
Share of the 106 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Century complaints by model year
Best Century years: 2005, 2004, 1996. Years to avoid: 1999, 1998, 2000. Compare all years →
1997 Buick Century recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The windshield wipers May stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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."
Remedy: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1997 Buick Century:
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Windshield wiper
Incidents of wiper failure (owner reports and warranty) are very high, and many of the reports indicate that the failures are still occurring in 1999.
Windshield wiper
By letter dated December 12, 1999, GM notified NHTSA of its plans to conduct a safety related defect campaign to remedy 155,149 of the subject vehicles.the vehicle population for the campaign includes the 1997 Buick regal/century and Pontiac gran prix models built during the period from the start of production through May 1, 1997.GM determined that the wipers installed prior to this date could stop working, usually…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM's letter to NHTSA dated December 11, 2003, expands its original recall (NHTSA 02V286) to include certain w-body vehicles: 96-97 olds cutlass supreme; 98 olds intrigue; 97-98 olds cutlass; 97-98 Chevy lumina, monte carlo and malibu; 96 Pontiac grand prix; and 96-98 Buick regal.the number of vehicles recalled is 750,283.GM determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion…
What 1997 Buick Century owners say
Electrical system all 20 →
It's very difficult for consumer to honk the horn because the bottom horn is so small and so hard that he couldn't operate it. Causing consumer to have an accident. *akthe service manager told to the consumer that the only way to correct this problem was to replace the entire car and that the horn area could not be done.
Due to design and location of horn assembly, which is connected to air bags, and upon attemtping to sound off horn in an emergency situation when making a left or right hand turn, buttons are hard to locate. Consumer has contacted dealer. The whole air bag and horn assembly was replaced . The horn blowing is slightly improved but still impossible to blow when trying to turn.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Windshield wipers have been standing straight up when in an off position for 6 or 7 years. Found the campaign and then the recall and tried to get a remedy from the on several occasions as well as GM ,to no avail..I was made to buy a motor for the windshield wipers and that worked for a little while. Then last summer or fall I went back to the dealer because now the issue looked to be a recall, and they told me there was, but not for my VIN#, and I was made to pay $70 for the adjustment..it is now not working again ,and I am very frustrated. It is a 1997 Buick Century. I have to keep the windshield wipers on in the delay mode all the time, rain or shine in order to not have them stand straight up and block my vision..I feel this is dangerous, but that the dealer and GM will not take responsibility because I found the information on my progressive car insurance site. …
I was on 275w. When my right window wiper arm started to stop then it died, my husband told to see what I could find out on repairing it and cost on the computer, I ran across this little thing on the computer about 1997 Buick Century's and the right windshield {component: visibility: windshield wiper/washer linkages} well when I read all of it that describes what happen to my wiper. When I called everybody said no not your car, and I said I don't understand because the same thing is wrong with mind.
Seat belts
Seat belts won't work and can only sit grandson in center seat in order to put restraint on him. Right side rear hasn't worked in over 1 1/2 years. Left side hasn't worked right since we got the car and now don't work at all. Our grandson lives with us, he is four years old and it is the law that he is to be in a car seat and restrained. The car is only used six months out of the year, hasn't been abused. I feel that dealer or manufacturer should replace, since we haven't had the car very long and is a safety item. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**765493
The front passenger's side seat belt retracts after clicking the seat belt in to stay connection. The passenger would hold the seat belt retractor. This caused the seat belt to tighten. The consumer took the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and the mechanic told the consumer that the seat belt was not recalled for this vehicle, and the warranty expired. The consumer informed the mechanic of this problem and they adjusted it twice but the problem recurred.
1997 Buick Century engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 20 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 26 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Buick Century a good car?
Based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Century rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Century at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Buick Century?
The electrical system — 20 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year, most often about horn. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (15) and seat belts (15).
How many recalls does the 1997 Buick Century have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 Buick Century, the most recent from December 16, 1999 (linkages). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Century?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2004 and 1996. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 1998 and 2000. See the full Buick Century years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Century problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 32% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.