2004 Buick Century Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 13%of 39 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Buick Century, 13% of the 39 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I turn on the high beams the headlights will occasionally turn off completely, instead. To turn back on the vehicle's headlights I have to pull the high beam lever back and forth multiple times. When attempting to turn back on the headlights I engage the hazards so that other vehicles can still see me on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10638839, filed 2014-09, 177,000 miles“The multi function switch does not work properly. When going around curves and corners you can't dim the headlights. Because the steering wheel doesn't allow the lever to go far enough to catch. Now my headlights will not turn on when the they are suppose to. My cruise control doesn't work. My A/C stops cooling when the speed reaches 60 MPH but if I move the m.f.s. (aka turn signal) it gets cool again for a few minutes. The other night my lights went off when I was meeting a car with its headlights on bright. It was a dark stretch of road. I almost ran in the ditch.”
NHTSA complaint #11101549, filed 2018-06, 170,000 miles“The gas gauge is not accurate even through it says no fuel it still has plenty in the tank. The car reverse up and goes on its own without using the gas pedal and when you put the brakes on it shutters. The windows don't work very well anymore.”
NHTSA complaint #10524693, filed 2013-07, 95,000 miles“There is an electric short in my vehicle and the consumer was afraid it was going to catch on fire. The headlights flickered and lost the radio. Also, speedometer/headlights and tail lights did not work. The dealer said that there was a short in the vehicle, and for consumer to call NHTSA and report it. The vehicle failed to start on 6/18/05 and finally started but each time the vehicle was started, the clock would go out along with other units.”
NHTSA complaint #10124478, filed 2005-06, 14,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Buick Century. The contact stated that when switching from high beams to low beams, all of the headlights would fail. The failure would occur on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that he needed to have the high and low beam switch replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,700. The consumer stated the vehicle has serious electrical issues. The consumer stated every time he started the vehicle, another component failed. Updated 01/10/12”
NHTSA complaint #10437493, filed 2011-11, 38,700 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 32% |
| 2004 | 5 | 13% |
| 2003 | 23 | 18% |
| 2002 | 24 | 16% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
| 2000 | 20 | 10% |
| 1999 | 15 | 6% |
| 1998 | 26 | 12% |
| 1997 | 20 | 19% |
| 1996 | 6 | 8% |
| 1995 | 6 | 6% |
| 1994 | 10 | 9% |
| 1993 | 5 | 9% |
| 1992 | 8 | 18% |
| 1991 | 8 | 21% |
| 1990 | 6 | 18% |
| 1989 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 3 | 11% |
| 1986 | 4 | 18% |
| 1985 | 1 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2004 Buick Century
11 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Buick Century
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology