Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Buick Century owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Horn button is part of air bag. The horn button shorts out and the horn blows all the time. Have to remove fuse to stop horn blowing. Had to replace air bag to fix. In a few months the problem reoccurred. Its too expensive to replace air bags so I am left without a horn this is a safety issue. Can the manufacturer provide a fix? The internet shows this is a very common problem for a lot of GM cars.
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. …
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. …
I was driving on the highway at about 4:00 am, when the lights suddenly went out, and I did not even have park lights. After about a half hour I was able to get the park lights to work and go on to our son's house using only my park lights. Then I finally got the lights to burn enough to finish my trip using low beams. The high beam would just go off and only the low beams would work. This has happened many times since then. I have had to replace the combination switch for the lights twice, and at this time,it needs to be replaced again because I cannot get the right rear signal light to operate. I have been told I need to replace the entire combination switch again. This is a very expensive repair to have done. Have there been many more reports of this dangerous problem of suddenly having no lights and having to have the whole combination switch replaced. …
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?
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. The contact stated the instrument panel was no longer functioning. The gauges and warning lights were inoperable and the contact was unable to determine fuel levels or speeds traveled. The dealer advised making repairs to the connection or replacing the capacitor in the instrument cluster. There were no recalls. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
The internal panel lights go off when I turned on the head lights. I could no longer read my gauges or speedometer. The head lights still work but I feel this is the same complaint that many on the internet have complained about with there head lights going off. When will mine stop working? This problem has existed with buicks since 1998 and I consider very dangerous problem. The dealer wants almost 700.00 to replace the dimmer switch the car is a 2003 Buick Century.
Instrument cluster on 2003 Buick Century doesn't work , I understand this is common on this car and very expensive to fix. I feel GM should be accountable. Also, the head gasket is blown I was told by a garage that it was the type of coolant they used and also very common on these cars. These are clearly defects in their product and they should be recalled. I have bought American cars all my life but I,m done with them ,they don't stand behind their product.
Electrical complaints in other Century years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Buick Century?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Buick Century, 18% of the model year's 127 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Buick Century electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2003 Buick Century. 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 2003 Buick Century electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.