Purchased a 1999 Buick Century from Ranz Motors in Chanute, Kansas with the idea that it would be a good long life car for my retirement and "Golden Years". Boy, was I ever wrong. Warranty was 36,000 miles and approximately 2,000 miles later the problems began.
Low tire light comes off and must be reset all the time. Back driver's side door gasket had to be reglued twice as it kept falling off. (Sloppy glue job by the service dept) Engine clatter in the morning, defroster didn't work well and during hotter weather the air conditioner didn't seem to cool that well. Then oil light came on - no oil on the stick. Happened again just a few miles after oil change and service. Car was using 1 qt oil every 500 miles and the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light came on and stayed on.
Called General Motors Buick and I said the engine should at least outlast the original tires on the thing. They authorized the local dealership to run an "oil comsumption" test for and additional 2,000 miles.
So, every 500 miles we took the car in for oil check. I asked about the poor cooling that we'd experienced all along and was told the car needed a control switch for approximately $300.00 which we'd have to pay for.
Each time they checked it for the oil consumption test the car had used a quart which they replaced. Local service manager called and was told we need to monitor it an additional 1,000 miles. Did that... Then was told to monitor it another 150 miles.By this time it was using 1 quart of oil every 150 miles.
Oil usage test report said "found no leaks" "ran snap on fuel system care for carbon on free trial basis to loosen piston rings " "checked PC system clear - suggest rings and valve seals"
Was told that they had to order parts. They never returned our calls - we always had to call them. On 5-17-04 was told all necessary parts were in, but waiting for special mechanic's schedule to do repairs. I expressed concern because I had a vacation planned for the end of the month to go out of State and I was assured by my local service manager that I shouldn't worry as the car would be repaired and ready to travel before the last week of May.
Called the local service dept back and was told that General Motors/Buick now was offering to SELL us a new car instead. I explained I was now retired, on a fixed income with a disabled wife and couldn't afford new car - that was the reason I thought was buying a good car to last us for a few years. I Was told I needed all maintanence records to prove it had been serviced properly and to fax them to Buick and THEN "maybe" they would pay half, some or none at all cost to repair our car. When I protested they said the car was way past warranty (48,000 miles) and I told them that almost 4,000 miles had been put on at their request so we could monitor the oil usage!
If they needed records, etc why didn't they ask for them before. Became evident that we were getting the run around. Buick customer service asked "did anyone PROMISE you we'd fix it?" and I said NO... No one actually said I PROMISE YOU, but when I was told the parts were in finally and waiting for a mechanic they implied that they were going to fix the valves/seals/rings, etc.
Now I'm stuck - I feel they should recall or replace Buick Century cars with these engine problems. I have read where others have experienced same or similar engine problems as well. I did everything they asked me to do and at the end Customer service wasn't all that friendly.
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