Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Century. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the air bags deployed independently without warning. The air bag hit the contact's arm and face leaving minor marks and bruises. The driver did not seek medical attention for his injuries. The contact's son was able to pull the vehicle off to the side of the road and then called the contact. The contact arrived at the scene and drove the vehicle home without further incident. The contact stated that the windshield and dashboard were damaged. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.
My parent's vehicle, a 2004 Buick Century, collided with a guard rail on an entrance ramp to I-81 in christiansburg, va. They were wearing seat belts/shoulder harness. Main impact was front left bumper, which was pushed in ~ 3 feet in a narrow indentation; hood was crumpled. There was damage to left side of vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. Both passengers sustained injuries and were taken to local hospital's emergency room. I suspect their injuries would have been less sever had the air bags deployed. Damage to vehicle is very extensive. Updated 12/05/06.
While driving 20 MPH, another vehicle hit the consumer's vehicle on the front/ left side of the vehicle. Upon impact, upon impact noneof the air bag deployed. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Buick Century. While the contact's vehicle was stationary, it was rear ended by another vehicle. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back, neck, both legs, and arms. There were three minors in the back seat who sustained injuries to their heads, both legs, arms, and backs. Medical attention was needed for all occupants. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 50 MPH and approaching a crossroads another vehicle ran a stop sign and was hit by the contact. This was a full frontal impact. The air bags did not deploy. Although seat belts were in use, both occupants sustained minor injuries. A police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was towed to the towing company where it remains. The manufacturer was alerted.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving in a torrential rain at 11:30 pm, the vehicle hydroplaned on standing water, went off the two lane road and hit a tree head on. The contact had no information as to the speed of travel and would not offer a guess. The seat belt was worn but the frontal air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained a broken nose, broken right eye socket and multiple lesions from the seat belt strap. The contact walked 1/4 mile from the accident to the contact's residence, then was taken to the hospital. There was no police report and the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard. There were photos available. Updated 1/17/2007 - insurance company has computer log of accident which was taken around August 20, 2006.
I was traveling in heavy stop and go traffic traveling at about 40mph when the vehicle in front of me stopped, I applied the brakes hard but the vehicle did not stop and I tried to sway into the shoulder but hit the vehicle in front of me. There was plenty of space to stop but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. Note: the air bags did not deploy.
I am submitting this on behalf of my father. Was involved in an accident in which his driver side air bag didn't deploy. Not sure whom the manufacture of the air bag is . According to the police report my dad was at fault. See pictures he basically pulled out on a 4- lane road and was hit by a vehicle traveling the opposite direction. The impact of the crash was pretty much driver's side headlight to drivers side headlight. I can not download photo's because they are 5.3 mb..the accident location was jackson, ky
Related recalls (1)
Air bags › Side/window
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles exhibit a condition in which the driver side impact air bag inflator separates from the air bag module during deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Century years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (15), 1995 (10), 1998 (10), 2000 (10) and 2002 (8) model years. Airbag complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Buick Century airbag problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 00V-371 (side/window, Nov 13, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Century airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (32 mentions), followed by the side/window (5).
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.