Model year guide

2003 Buick Century

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Buick Century is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 67 on record.

2003 Buick Century — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Buick Century at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints130
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$2,072

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Buick Century recalls 2

Steering NHTSA Campaign #09E005000 · 17/02/2009

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 VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #07E021000 · 12/03/2007

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Buick Century common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2003 Buick Century safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Buick Century 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2003 Buick Century MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Buick Century worth?

Low
$700
Typical price
$2,072
High
$4,200

From 63 comparable 2003 Buick Century listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Buick Century costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$900
Total$15,650
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,072) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,156), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Buick Century trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Custom
Engines
3.1L 6-cyl

2003 Buick Century vehicles on record

Other Buick Century model years

2003 Buick Century — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Buick Century have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2003 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Century?

Based on 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are exterior lighting, electrical system, suspension.

What is the 2003 Buick Century safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2003 Buick Century crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick Century get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Buick Century at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2003 Buick Century worth?

Comparable 2003 Buick Century listings run roughly $700–$4,200, typically around $2,072 (from 63 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.