The Lemon Index
20016th generation
Better than average · most complaints: visibility
83 owner complaints, first 3 years 21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Nissan Maxima 702000 Mitsubishi Galant 632000 Dodge Stratus 46
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E005000 (steering), 07E021000 (fuel system, other) and 01V109000 (seat belts) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Buick sent dealers 322 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 83 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 36K to 70K miles (58K to 113K km) on the car (7 of all 83 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
When the rear windows are down they cause a loud shaking noise.
2000 Buick Century owner · NHTSA complaint 556127
More owner reports
The brakes make noise when applied, the dealer and manufacturer have been notified. Nlm
NHTSA complaint 561571
When either or both of back power windows are rolled down, it vibrates the interior of vehicle excessively. Also, it makes a loud noise. Dealer has seen vehicle 2 times, and and not been able to fix problem.
NHTSA complaint 870915
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 322 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak
- Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may…
- Some customers may complain that the service engine soon (ses) indicator is illuminated with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Steering · recall issued 2009
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIO…
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAG…
Show all 7 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Brakes · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedAccelerator cable detaches from throttle2000–2001
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.1L 6-cyl.
Every Buick Century year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-century/?y=2000" title="Buick Century reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-century/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Buick Century reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Buick Century reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 53; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick Century year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2002.
What are the most common 2000 Buick Century problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (17%), brakes (14%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Buick Century have?
7 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Buick Century get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2000 Buick Century have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Buick Century cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Buick Century have?
3.1L 6-cyl.
What Buick Century year is better than the 2000?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works