2004 Buick Century Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 28%of 39 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Buick Century, 28% of the 39 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 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.
“Headlights went off while driving on interstate at night. ( I may have flashed my high beams to signal a truck that it was safe to change lanes before this happened. Interior lights still working when this happened. Nothing I did would bring headlights back on. Very dangerous problem!! Car mileage approximately 62,000. 12/21/2017 date.”
NHTSA complaint #11056001, filed 2017-12, 62,000 miles“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“Driving on a country road the headlights went out. Hit the dimmer switch and they came back on. It did this about three times. Found out that if we tried to use the dimmer switch that the lights went out. Then it got to the point that the only way that you could use the bright lights was to hold the switch. Two weeks later went to the grocery store turned on the blinker to turn and the lights went out again. Had to pull the light switch on and luckily they came back on. Tonight we took the car out and the lights kept going out. This is on a 2004 Buick Century.”
NHTSA complaint #10248861, filed 2008-11, 125,887 miles“We were driving at night and headlights went out randomly, this is happened several times. It did not seem to matter if the light switch was on or in the automatic position.”
NHTSA complaint #10670582, filed 2015-01, 130,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 42% |
| 2004 | 11 | 28% |
| 2003 | 48 | 38% |
| 2002 | 24 | 16% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 7% |
| 1999 | 24 | 10% |
| 1998 | 21 | 10% |
| 1997 | 9 | 8% |
| 1996 | 2 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2004 Buick Century
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 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 31, 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