Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Service engine light and gas light came on. Code read at autozone indicated po135- oxygen sensor. Two days later, both check engine lights came on, security, battery and gas lights. Even revved up and had other issues with fuel economy and compressor kicking on and failing to start. Other issues, popping noise when turning steering wheel. The consumer stated the manufacturer was contacted. The manufacturer offered a loyalyty certificate a leased vehucle or a possible reimbursement of 500.00 for repairs. Neither of the remedies satisfied the consumer. The consumer requested to have the vehicle repaired at no cost or be reimbursed 3,500.
Almost every time the headlights are changed from high to low beams the lights will shut off compleatly and I will have no headligts at all, I have gone out and purchased a new turnsignal switch and plan to put it in as soon as posible and I will have the old part still. The front drive assembely will grind any time a tire loses traction and spins in either the rain or snow on pavement or off the road in a driveway so my car has been driving in one wheel drive instead of two wheel drive, I have not had the chance to go and buy a new drive axel assembely to correct the problem.
Transmissions on American cars are messing up too early. My friend's Dodge caravan went out after the 36000 mile warranty, month later. Other cars the solenoid on upshifts 1-2 and 3-4 were causing harsh upshift problems on many cars. Old cars before 2000, transmissions did not fail for more than 10 years, today's model transmissions were causing problems the first 3-5 years. These problems on the 2002 Buick Century happened the last 3-5 years. 1. Harsh upshifts on transmission, 1-2 3-4. 2. Power windows, after 3 years, didn't work on rear windows and were to slow on the front windows. 3. Steering wheel stereo controls volume was never fixed after taking 5-10 times for repairs. These were thousands of dollars I was spending for 4-5 years of driving. If nothing was done about this I will be turning Toyota, camry. Your advice will very gladly be appreciated.
The odometer cluster lights go out and sometimes come back on for a few minutes and back off while driving. Therefore you can not see mileage and the shifting of gears. The dealer recommends sending it back to the factory for 2 weeks while they repair it at a cost of $ 2000.00 or drive the car without repairing.
We purchased this car (as is) for our grandson. On our way home from the dealer, as soon as the transmission warmed up (4-5 miles), the shifting was hard and jerking with a whine coming from the transmission. Took the car to a garage which found the computer code of p1811 and were told a complete rebuild would be necessary. Went online and discovered many others had complaints of the same nature. Would hope GM would come forward with reimbursement since its transmission in this model was incorrectly designed. The rebuilding garage owner even had to go to a special school to learn how to correct this problem in the Buick Century. After paying $1,757.25 to queens transmission, inc., in bradenton, fl [phone]), the shifting is now normal.
Had transmission replaced at authorized GMC dealership May 2006 .this came with a warranty. Several times over several summers since then have taken vehicle into dealership with concerns that happened after vehicle would be driven in high humidity high temperature days after traveling a minimum of 60 miles mostly on state highways that are quite rough and curvy, I.e. It would take about 90 minutes or more togo this distance. Then when in bumper to bumper traffic and trying to move forward or stopping the car's automatic transmission would cause the vehicle to shake like jumping into the wrong gear and in more than one time the car's engine would die. It always happened at low speeds so luckily we didn't loose control of the vehicle. But, the only way to stop this from continuing was to stop and park to let the engine and or cool down. …
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. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Century years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (48), 1998 (26), 2001 (21), 1995 (11) and 1999 (11) model years. Transmission complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Buick Century transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Buick Century model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Buick Century transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (86 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › gear position indication (prndl) (10).
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.