Century
Buick Century: official NHTSA recalls, fault code help and maintenance guides.
Licensed photo · Photo creditGenerations and technical specifications
Buick Century – Sixth generation1996–2005
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | 1996–October 2004 1998–2000 (China) |
| Model years | 1997–2005 |
| Body styles | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | W-body 2nd Gen |
| Engines | China 2.0 L L34 I4 2.5 L LB8 V6 3.0 L LW9 V6 North America 3.1 L L82/LG8 V6 |
| Transmissions | 5-speed manual (2.0 L only) 4-speed 4T60-E automatic 4-speed 4T65-E automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,769 mm |
| Length | 4,943 mm |
| Width | 1,847 mm |
| Height | 1,438 mm |
| Class | Mid-size car |
| Assembly | Canada: Oshawa, Ontario (GM Canada Oshawa Car Assembly) China: Shanghai, Shanghai GM |
| Designer | Wayne Cherry (chief: 1993) Wayne Kady (1993) |
Buick Century – Series 60
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years | 1930–1935 |
| Body styles | 2-door coupe 2-door convertible 4-door phaeton 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Platform | GM B platform |
| Engines | 5,430.7 cm³ Buick Straight-6 engine OHV I6 3,616.6 cm³ Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8 3,775.6 cm³ Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8 4,555.6 cm³ Buick Straight-8 engine OHV I8 |
| Transmissions | 3-speed synchromesh manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,896 mm 3,023 mm 3,150 mm |
| Class | Full-size car |
| Assembly | Buick City, Flint, Michigan, United States |
| Designer | Harley Earl |
Buick Century – First generation
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years | 1936–1942 |
| Body styles | 2-door coupe 2-door convertible 4-door phaeton 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | B-body |
| Engines | Fireball I8 OHV |
| Transmissions | 3-speed synchromesh manual Automatic Safety Transmission (1938 only) |
| Wheelbase | 3,099 mm (1936) 3,200 mm (1937-42) |
| Length | 5,004 mm (1936) 5,182 mm (1937-42) |
| Class | Full-size car |
| Assembly | Buick City, Flint, Michigan South Gate Assembly, South Gate, California Linden Assembly, Linden, New Jersey |
Engines and transmissions
| Model years | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2005 | 3.1 L, 6 cyl | 4-speed automatic | Front-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Model years | Configuration | Combined | City | Highway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2005 | 3.1 L, 6 cyl · 4-speed automatic · Front-wheel drive | 11.2 L/100 km | 13.1 L/100 km | 8.7–9.0 L/100 km |
Values are the official EPA label figures for each model year, shown as the lowest and highest value for the configuration. Electric models show energy use per 100 km. Real-world consumption depends on driving style, weather and load. Luggage and passenger volumes follow the EPA measuring method and can differ from the VDA figures used in Europe.
Key specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| EPA size class | Midsize car |
| Model years in EPA data | 2000–2005 |
| Powertrains | Petrol |
| Engine displacement | 3.1 L |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Transmission types | Automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel | Petrol (regular) |
| Configurations listed | 6 |
| Luggage volume (EPA) | 481 L |
| Passenger volume (EPA) | 2,888 L |
Years and markets
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years (US) | 2000–2005 |
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
| Component | Complaints | Most reported model years |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 116 | 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Lights | 112 | 2000, 2002, 2003 |
| Brakes | 104 | 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Electrical system | 100 | 2000, 2002, 2003 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 86 | 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Visibility and wipers | 84 | 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Steering | 44 | 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Speed control and cruise | 39 | 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Airbags | 34 | 2000, 2002, 2004 |
| Body and structure | 33 | 2001, 2002, 2003 |
Source: complaints filed by owners with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2000–2005: 726 complaints, 38 with a crash and 9 with a fire. Complaints are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component. More complaints can also mean more cars sold.