2005 Buick Century

Routine

Owners filed 19 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System5
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights2
000
Exterior Lighting2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Structure1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Seats1
000
Parking Brake › Driveline › Hydraulic1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights › High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering09E005000
Filed Feb 17, 2009979 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Apr 4, 2025TX

No abs light on but they don't work. But also there is hot wire running at all times I don't know where it coming from my o2 sensor keep coming on

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 16, 201645,000 milesNJ

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, DUE TO BRAKE LINE CORROSION. FORTUNATELY HAPPENED FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WHILE ONLY ABOUT 1000 FEET FROM HOME AND WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 15, 2016118,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING AND HINDERED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE SWITCH TO GET THE HIGH BEAMS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON THE COLUMN FOR THE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING PREMATURELY DETERIORATED GROUND WIRES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE TO BE ORDERED, BUT WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER UNTIL THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 2, 201580,000 milesMA

A FEW TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. ONCE WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR WITH A FRIEND WHO ALSO OWNS A BUICK THE ISSUE OCCURRED AND HE TOLD ME HIS CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED BUICK, WHO DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE, THEY REFERRED ME TO MY LOCAL BUICK DEALER WHO WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT INDICATED MY MODEL WAS NOT ONE THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED. AS GM SAID THEY HAD NO LIABILITY, I PAID MY LOCAL BUICK DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, WHICH THEY DETERMINED WAS A FAULTY HEADLIGHT SENSOR. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE ON JULY 1, 2015. 3 WEEKS AGO THE ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN, DRIVING ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I CONTACTED GM AGAIN, THEY ASSIGNED A FILE # 8-1631489873 BUT ASSUMED NO RESPONSIBILITY, AGAIN TELLING ME TO DEAL WITH MY LOCAL BUICK DEALER.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 24, 201565,000 milesMI

HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. NO HEADLIGHTS OR BRIGHTS ONLY AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed May 19, 201582,500 milesDE

WE HAVE HAD OUR 2005 BUICK LACROSSE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW AND WANT TO REPORT THIS LIGHTING SAFETY CONCERN. THIS HEADLIGHT INCIDENT WITH OUR BUICK HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO US, THREE TIMES SINCE MID APRIL. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WE WERE DRIVING ONE EVENING, SUDDENLY OUR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AS IT WAS A DARK STRETCH OF ROAD, WITH TRAFFIC. I SLOWED AND FOUND A REASONABLE SAFE SPOT TO PULL OVER. I TRIED TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN SEVERAL POSITIONS WITH NO SUCCESS. WE NORMALLY KEEP THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE AUTO POSITION. OUR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STILL WERE NOT COMING ON. I THEN FOUND I COUND TURN MY HIGH BEAMS ON, SO I DID TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AND BE ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. DRIVING WITH ONLY HIGH BEAMS IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND ILLEGAL. IT CAN BE BLINDING TO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND I COULD HAVE BEEN CITED IF I HAD BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE. FROM WHERE MY LOW BEAMS WENT OUT, TO HOME WAS ABOUT 4.5 MILES. RIGHT BEFORE PULLING IN AT HOME MY LOW BEAMS CAME BACK ON. I TURNED OFF THE HIGH BEAMS AND STILL HAD THE LOW BEAMS. QUITE UNUSUAL. THEN WITHIN A 2 TO 3 WEEK STRETCH, MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT TWICE AGAIN. RIGHT AWAY, I TURNED ON MY HIGH BEAMS AND WITHIN 15 - 20 MINUTES, LOW BEAMS CAME BACK ON. WHILE I'M ABLE TO LIGHT UP THE ROAD USING THE HIGH BEAMS IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN - IT STILL IS NOT A SAFE ALTERNATIVE. THERE IS AN ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A MODULE PROBLEM, BAD WIRING, I JUST DON'T KNOW. I DID FIND OUT ON THE INTERNET, OTHER

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Filed Sep 14, 2014121,000 milesLA

2005 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. PURCHASED USED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION FROM FORD DEALERSHIP IN 2011. ELECTRIC WINDOWS WORKED FINE, THEN IN 2012, 1 OF THE WINDOWS JUST FELL DOWN THE TRACK. A CPL MONTHS LATER ANOTHER DID THE SAME THING AND THEN A CPL MORE MONTHS A THIRD ONE FELL. I REMOVED THE DOOR PANELS AS THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED AND COULD FEEL A CABLE LAYING LOOSE DOWN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORWELL. I'M NOT SURE IF A "POSSIBLE PULLEY" OR THE CABLES THEIRSELVES BROKE, BUT THIS IS AN OBVIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL & YEAR FROM WHAT I READ ON CARPARTS.COM. I NOW HAVE PIECES OF 1"X2"'S WEDGED IN TO HOLD THEM UP BECAUSE OF LACK OF FUNDS. IF THIS IS ACTUALLY A COMMON ISSUE, AS I READ, THEN THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO MAKE IT AS A RECALL. THANK YOU **NOTE - I ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR BETWEEN 50-65 MI. A WEEK ON PAVED ROADS AND NO ROUGH DRIVING AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS EVER. A VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF VEHICLE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Jun 20, 2014140,193 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND PLACED IN NEUTRAL GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE NEEDED A PSI FUEL REGULATOR, SES LAMP LIGHT AND EGR VALVE . THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 140,193. UPDATED 8/19/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN. UPDATED 08/27/2014 *JS

Electrical System
Filed Dec 7, 201348,740 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. WHEN HIGH/LOW BEAM SELECTOR WAS USED, LIGHTS RETURNED ON. SUSPECT FAULTY SWITCH?? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 3, 201187,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. WHEN ACTIVATING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE IGNITION STARTER SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 14, 201176,860 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE SMELL OF GASOLINE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERPOWERING ODOR WAS OFTEN UNBEARABLE TO WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE OVERPOWERING AND OFFENSIVE ODOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,860.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 20, 201057,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC COVER LENS CAUSING THE PLASTIC COVER TO FOG. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE REDUCED VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY AND THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,617. UPDATED 12/21/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, THE ROTORS, TIRES AND SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/3/10

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 4, 201033,670 milesFL

MY 20005 BUICK CENTURY, ACCELERATED IN A PARKING LOT WITHOUT MY STEPPING ON THE GAS. THE CAR WENT AIR BORNE, JUMPING THE CURB GOING THROUGH A DITCH AND UP AN EMBANKMENT BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL.. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Dec 25, 2008100,000 milesMI

2005 BUICK CENTURY HEADLIGHTS TURN THEMSELVES OFF WHILE DRIVING.THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS . I BELIEVE A FAULTY HIGH LOW BEAM SWITCH IS THE PROBLEM. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
Filed Apr 9, 200868,977 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN SHUTTING OFF DURING THE NIGHT. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW DIMMER SWITCH WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD COVER HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED AT ALL BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,977. UPDATED 4/23/08 *CN

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 8, 200742,355 milesUT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HIS CHEST CAUSED BY STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,355.

Parking Brake › Driveline › Hydraulic
Filed Sep 6, 200734,000 milesTX

EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE. VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD AFTER THE BRAKE HAS BEEN ENGAGED WHEN PARKING ON A HILL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO GET REPAIRED, THE DRUMS WERE TIGHTENED AND CAR STOPPED ROLLING FORWARD. 6 MONTHS LATER THE CAR IS ROLLING AGAIN WHEN PARKED ON A HILL.

Structure
Filed Sep 8, 200655,000 milesNC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDOW SWITCH THAT OPERATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS INOPERABLE. THE WINDOW SWITCH WAS LOCATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. WHEN OPENING THE WINDOW, THE GLASS WOULD NOT COME DOWN SMOOTHLY AND DROPPED FORCEFULLY. ALSO, THE REAR RIGHT DOOR PANEL WAS LOOSE, AND SLID WHEN THE DOOR WAS SHUT. THIRD, THE LIGHT IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. FOURTH, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. FINALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE PROBLEMS WERE ACKNOWLEDGED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - *NM

Seats
Filed Jun 3, 2005MD

2005 BUICK CENTURY DRIVER'S SEAT SINKS IN THE MIDDLE, AND THE HEAD REST EQUIPMENT IS TOO HIGH.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE HEAD REST WOULD OBSTRUCT THE CONSUMERS VIEW AND REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE REMOTE FOR THE DOOR DID NOT WORK AS DESIGNED, THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WOULD WORK. *SC *JB

19 of 19 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2005 — this page19200Routine
200439200Routine
2003127220Routine
2002154240Routine
2001145520Routine
2000193710Routine
1999235540Above average
1998218400Above average
1997106410Routine
199680210Routine
199599110Routine
1994106641Fatalities reported
199354230Routine
199245321Fatalities reported
199138220Routine
199033230Routine

Compare every Century year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 17, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.