Is the 2002 Buick Century a bad year?
154 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Century years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Buick Century are in line with other Century years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Century owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 62,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 (18%) | 46k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 24 (16%) | 46k–120k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 24 (16%) | 53k–111k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 23 (15%) | 15k–76k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Visibility and wipers | 21 (14%) | 33k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (5%) | 32k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 7 (5%) | 34k–99k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 7 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 62,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 154 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Bought vehicle in 01.20.07 with 56,943 miles (2002 Buick Century custom). Sometime (Around 62,000 miles) notice engine hesitates, after warming up, hesitation disappears.
When I had an oil change at about 32,000 miles the mechanic indicated the oil was a quart low. I had the cooling system flushed at about 50,000 miles and the mechanic noted oil in the antifreeze.
I noticed that there was sludge in the coolant tank after I got a low coolant light when the coolant was not low and the temperature was normal.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 62,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Buick Century: 2
A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (Upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Buick: 105
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Buick Century. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Neighbouring years
2001 Century: 145 complaints, keep it · 2003 Century: 127 complaints, keep it.
Every Buick Century year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · All Century years side by side
Other Buick models: Buick Enclave · Buick Encore · Buick Encore GX · Buick Envision · Buick LaCrosse · Buick LeSabre · Buick Lucerne · Buick Park Avenue · Buick Rainier · Buick Regal · Buick Rendezvous · Buick Terraza · Buick Verano. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Buick Century a bad year?
154 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Century years. At 62,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick Century?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (27), electrical system (24), exterior lighting (24), brakes (23), visibility and wipers (21).
How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Century have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 09E005000), Fuel system (NHTSA 07E021000). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.