Complaints
132
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Buick Century Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#112 complaints
Electrical System:Horn
Crash-related:1
#28 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
#36 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Avg mileage:80,318 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Buick Century.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Horn | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 | — | — | 80,318 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 5 | — | — | 27,168 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical System:Horn
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,318
Steering:Rack And Pinion
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,168
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Buick Century. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Century Years
1997 Buick Century — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Buick Century reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Buick Century has 132 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Horn with 12 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Buick Century?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Horn (12 complaints); Seat Belts:Front:Retractor (8 complaints); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (6 complaints, avg 80,318 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Buick Century?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 56,159 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Buick Century?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Buick Century include 4 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Buick Century have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Buick Century as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Buick Century?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Century reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Buick Century
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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