The 2001 Buick Century with 3.1L V6 is an affordable, comfortable cruiser with a reputation for lower intake manifold gasket failures and transmission cooling issues. Budget for engine sealing and transmission service if buying high-mileage.
Symptoms: white smoke from exhaust on startup, coolant loss with no visible leaks, oil looks milky or chocolate-colored, engine overheating or misfires, rough idle when warm
Fix: Replace both upper and lower intake gaskets, flush contaminated oil, pressure-test cooling system. Also replace coolant elbows (plastic, brittle). 6-8 hours labor. If oil contamination was severe, expect shortened engine life—some need full rebuilds.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Oil Cooler Lines Leak at Radiator
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid puddling under front of car, pink fluid mixing with coolant in overflow tank, transmission slipping or delayed engagement, engine overheating if coolant contaminated with ATF
Fix: Replace steel cooler lines (rust through at crimp fittings) and flush both transmission and cooling system if cross-contamination occurred. 3-4 hours labor. Contaminated transmission may need rebuild shortly after.
Estimated cost: $400-800 (lines only); $1,800-3,200 if transmission rebuild needed
4T65-E Transmission Torque Converter Shudder and Pressure Control Solenoid Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: vibration at 40-50 mph under light throttle, harsh or delayed 1-2 shift, slipping between gears, check engine light with P0741 or P0748 codes
Fix: Torque converter clutch wears out; pressure control solenoid also common. Often requires full rebuild or replacement. 12-16 hours labor for removal and rebuild.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Front Engine Mount and Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk when shifting into drive or reverse, excessive engine movement visible when revving, vibration at idle in gear, torque steer on acceleration
Fix: Hydraulic mounts leak and collapse. Replace front and transmission mounts together. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $350-600
ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Corrosion
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: ABS light on, traction control disabled, codes for front wheel speed sensors, normal braking works but no ABS assist
Fix: Rear sensors mount in hub and corrode or crack wiring. Fronts are integral to hub bearing assembly and require full hub replacement. 1.5-2 hours per side.
Estimated cost: $200-350 per rear sensor; $400-700 per front hub assembly
Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: no start or long crank before starting, stalling when fuel tank below 1/4, loss of power under acceleration, whining noise from rear of car
Fix: In-tank pump assembly. Drop tank, replace pump and strainer. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-850
Owner tips
Flush Dexcool coolant and switch to conventional green coolant or quality extended-life alternative at 60k to slow intake gasket degradation
Change transmission fluid every 50k miles with full flush—4T65-E is sensitive to degraded fluid
Inspect coolant overflow tank regularly for pink ATF contamination; catch cooler line failure early
Replace serpentine belt tensioner assembly around 80k—bearing fails and causes squealing or belt throw
Buy only if under 80,000 miles with documented intake gasket replacement and regular transmission service—otherwise, you're inheriting expensive repairs within a year.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Side post terminals standard for GM vehicles of this era
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Every control module on the 1997-2005 Buick Century — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Optional on higher trim levels; requires memory position reprogramming by user
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
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.
SEAT BELTS · 01V109000
2001-04-06
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 MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.
Remedy: GM WILL MAIL A NEW BILINGUAL AIR BAG LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CUSTOMER MAY BRING THE LABEL TO THEIR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · 00V371000
2000-11-13
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence: IF THE INFLATOR SEPARATES, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY DURING A CRASH AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION WOULD BE REDUCED. IF IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT A SEPARATED INFLATOR COULD BE PROPELLED DOWNWARD AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO A REAR SEAT PASSENGER WHOSE FOOT IS POSITIONED APPROXIMATELY UNDER THE INFLATOR MODULE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE.
SEAT BELTS · 00V228003
2000-08-07
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2001 Buick Century 3.1L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.