2002 Buick Century

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Visibility & Lighting

Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 44 of 154 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (11) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 145 in 2001 to 154 in 2002.

Data last changed Sep 16, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years.
Category	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	vs. 2002 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)	2,950	2,950	2,950	2,950	2,950
Combined MPG	21	21	21	21	21
City / Highway MPG	18 / 27	18 / 26	18 / 26	18 / 26	18 / 27
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	423	423	423	423	423
Complaints filed	193	145	154	127	39	Not compared
Recalls issued	7	5	2	2	2	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	11	9	9	4	4	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	1	2	4	2	0	Not compared
Injuries reported	11	5	11	2	5	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	0	0	0	0	Not compared
Configurations compared	1	1	1	1	1

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Century have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Buick Century?

Visibility & Lighting: 44 of 154 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Buick Century get?

EPA rates it 21 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Buick Century?

EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (1)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Automatic 4-spd	6	3.1L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	18 mpg	26 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950	423 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries
Engine	33	0	2	0
Transmission & Drivetrain	7	0	0	0
Fuel System	7	0	1	0
Electrical	25	0	3	0
Brakes	23	0	0	0
Steering	11	1	0	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	10	1	0	0
Airbags & Restraints	9	8	0	11
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	7	0	0	0
Body, Seats & Latches	8	0	0	0
Visibility & Lighting	44	0	0	0
Other	5	0	0	0

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

STEERING · Campaign 09E005000 · Feb 17, 2009
Defect: 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 VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.