Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Buick Century owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Defective odometer readings, gear indicators disappeared. The odometer reading disappeared, and the gear indicator disappeared on instrument cluster. I have no way to read my odometer, nor do I know what gear I am in, prnd21. Now I can accidently be in reverse and not even know it. This is an extremely dangerous situation, and there should be a recall on this. Mechanic charges $100.00 to fix, and also states they can insert any odometer reading that I would like to have. This should be illegal. I no longer have a valid odometer reading for my yearly inspections, or if I were to sell my vehicle. I could drive in 1st gear and burn up my transmission and shut down in the middle of the interstate and cause a serious accident or be run over for dead stopped on roads. My instrument panel has not had an accurate fuel guage reading in years, it comes and goes. …
Two hundred miles away from home I started having tansmission problems on my 2000 Buick Century, limited edition, with 33,000 miles on it. Brought the car brand new and maintained it religiously. Shifting was extremely harsh. Did OK going 55 - 65 miles an hour on the freeway. Non freeway driving it went back to harsh shifting, whining engine, slow acceleration. Took it in to the dealer next am. Was told my car was out of warranty, and that pressure control solenoid valve needed to be replaced to the tune of $750. After talking with the assistant service manager, they agreed to a 50-50 split. However, I feel GM is solely responsible. They were aware of this two years ago. Fortunately, I wasn't stranded in the desert in 100 degrees temperature with my young grand children. It is my understanding that GM had issued a bulletin regarding this defective part. …
Bought 2000 Buick Century and like many other complaints on the list I have repaired the manifold, water pump, fuel filter at 83,000. I have experienced the whinning and hard shifting the entire time I owned the car. I had intermittent dash light failure which is real dangerous since you can't see the speedometer or anything on the dash. My brakes have failed to brake and I went out into traffic - luckily no accident and there was a median I could steer into! I haven't had a working gas gauge for years. Last night going 70 MPH I felt 3 chugs and lost power. Again luckily I was at a freeway exit and could coast off the freeway. So my 3 most expensive bills (and none of the problems have been solved -$1800. For brake calipers, rotors and pads. $1100 for wire set, manifold set, fuel filter and water pump. $350 for headlamp switch and dash light problems. …
I have a 2000 Buick Century. The transmission started to shift hard at 70000 miles in sept of 2001 and dealer replaced the pressure control solenoid that is located in the transmission. At 99000 miles June, 2005, the transmission started doing the same thing and the dealer could not find the problem. I spoke with the sales manager after threatening to go to the owner and the problem was the same solenoid problem. The shop foreman at cambron Chevy/Buick in tell city, in could replace the part for $575.00 because the warranty had expired. I contacted marama hanset-callies and informed her that I have had this problem in sept of 2001 and that the valve should not be going out. I since have discovered that there are 17-19 other complaints for the same problem. GM has not corrected the problem on the t65-e transmission. The dealer and hanset-callies have a very that's to bad attitude.
The electronic odometer and automatic transmission display has gone completely dark. With indicator dark, the following are impossible to determine on the vehicle. A) automatic transmission indicator - for vehicles where the transmission shift lever is mounted on the steering column (like mine), other than counting the number of clicks of the transmission lever up or down, the vehicle operator has no idea if the vehicle is in drive, neutral or reverse. This is a major safety hazard because the vehicle operator May inadvertently leave the vehicle in neutral or in gear and not know it and leave the vehicle unattended. B) vehicle mileage -- there is no way to determine how many miles the vehicle has been driven. There are numerous instances on the internet describing this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Buick Century. While driving at speeds of 15 MPH uphill, the vehicle began exhibiting unusual noises and shifting gears excessively hard. The vehicle overheated and was taken to a local repair shop. The failure could not be duplicated. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to a second repair shop. The independent mechanic utilized a transmission cleaning solution in an attempt to correct the failure. The repair did not correct the failure. The vehicle was then taken to a third repair shop where she was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,500 and the current mileage was 55,200. The VIN was not available. Updated 05/19/10.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Buick Century. While driving approximately 25 MPH on normal road conditions, the transmission exhibited an aggressive hard jolt when shifting from first to second gear or from second to third gear. The service engine soon warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and remained lit until the engine was turned off. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a transmission shop and the mechanic stated that the solenoid valve in the transmission failed. The technician stated that the repair would cost $1,800. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 78,000. Updated 5/26/09 updated 05/28/09.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Buick Century. The contact stated that when the engine would become hot, the transmission would jump between gears. The failure occurred sporadically when traveling at any speed or when in any gear. The contact had to shut off and allow the engine to cool off in order to temporarily remedy the failure. The vehicle was repaired twice for the same failure. The dealer replaced the solenoid pressure valve to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
2000 Buick Century transmission shifts very hard causing vehicle to lurch. Intermittent problem. After checking online message boards found that this is a fairly common problem in 2000 Buick models, and that GM has refused to address the issue or offer a resolution out of pocket cost of getting a transmission valve and solenoid repaired is about $600. These issues are popping up anywhere between 30K and 80K miles, and these parts are parts that should last the life of the car and never be replaced. Ongoing problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Buick Century. The contact stated that the vehicle would shift hard between first and second gears. The contact turned powered off and restarted the vehicle in order to resolve the problem momentarily. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who stated that the transmission was defective. The transmission was rebuilt to resolve the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileage was 75,000. Updated 06/17/13
Transmission complaints in other Century years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Buick Century?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Buick Century, 25% of the model year's 193 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Buick Century transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Buick Century, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Buick Century transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 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.