2000 Buick Century

The 2000 Buick Century is a mid-size sedan known for its comfortable ride and spacious interior. It came standard with a 3.1L V6 engine producing 160 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 4T65E 4-speed automatic transmission. People generally appreciate the Century for its reliability and affordability. Common dislikes include its somewhat dated styling and lack of modern features compared to newer vehicles.

Engine

3.1L V6

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leak, often identified by coolant pooling near the lower intake manifold, overheating, white smoke from the exhaust (indicating coolant entering the combustion chamber), and/or engine misfires.
  • Solution: Replacement of the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets. Improved gasket designs are available to prevent future failures.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Engine stalling, difficulty starting, or a no-start condition. The check engine light may illuminate with a code related to the crankshaft position sensor.
  • Solution: Replacement of the crankshaft position sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Fuel Injector Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough idling, misfires, reduced fuel economy, and potential stalling. Can be diagnosed through testing each injector.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty fuel injector(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+ (depending on how many injectors are replaced)
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

4T65E 4-Speed Automatic

• Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering or vibrations during light throttle acceleration at highway speeds, particularly when the TCC is engaging. May also trigger a check engine light.
  • Solution: Replacement or rebuild of the torque converter. Sometimes accompanied by a transmission flush and filter replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $600 - $1500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Shift Solenoid Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Erratic shifting, hard shifting, or failure to shift into certain gears. Can also cause the transmission to get stuck in a single gear, and a check engine light will usually appear.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty shift solenoid(s). Requires dropping the transmission pan.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Front Strut Mount Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking noises from the front suspension when going over bumps, loose steering feel, and uneven tire wear.
  • Solution: Replacement of the front strut mounts, often done in conjunction with strut replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+ per side (including strut replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Sway Bar Link Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Rattling or clunking noises from the front or rear suspension when driving over uneven surfaces.
  • Solution: Replacement of the sway bar links.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+ per pair
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Power Window Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Window operates slowly or not at all. May hear a clicking sound when attempting to operate the window.
  • Solution: Replacement of the power window motor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $300+ per window
  • Recalls: None Found
• Headlight Bulb Failure (Burnout)
  • Description/Symptoms: One or both headlights not illuminating.
  • Solution: Replacement of the headlight bulb(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $20 - $50+ per bulb (depending on bulb type)
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Rust on Rocker Panels and Lower Body Panels
  • Description/Symptoms: Visible rust forming on the lower portions of the body, particularly the rocker panels, wheel wells, and around door bottoms.
  • Solution: Rust repair, which can range from sanding and patching minor spots to replacing entire body panels in severe cases.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1000+ (depending on the severity)
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Headliner Sagging
  • Description/Symptoms: The fabric of the headliner detaches from the backing board and sags down, obstructing visibility and appearing unsightly.
  • Solution: Replacement of the headliner fabric or complete headliner replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $400+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2000 Buick Century, while generally reliable, is prone to certain issues related to its age. The most common problems revolve around the engine (specifically intake manifold gasket leaks) and transmission (torque converter issues). Suspension components also tend to wear out, leading to noise and handling problems. Electrical issues like power window failures are also common. Rust can be a concern in regions with harsh winters. While some of these repairs can be relatively inexpensive, others can be costly. Overall, potential buyers should be aware of these potential issues and factor in maintenance costs when considering this vehicle.