2005 Buick Century Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 68,977miles, 17 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Buick Century (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2005 Buick Century. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 8 complaints (42% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and brakes (3). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,977 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 493 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 100 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Exterior lighting8 42%
- Electrical system6 32%
- Brakes3 16%
- Engine cooling2 11%
- Equipment2 11%
- Air bags1 5.3%
- Engine1 5.3%
- Fuel system1 5.3%
- Interior lighting1 5.3%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10787600, filed 2015-11, 80,000 milesElectrical system: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10717414, filed 2015-05, 82,500 milesBrakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10874731, filed 2016-06, 45,000 milesEngine cooling: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10604816, filed 2014-06, 140,193 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,740 and 87,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Buick Century. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century · sedan | not rated | 4 / 3 | — | — | — |
| Century · sedan (side air bags) | not rated | 4 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2005 Buick Century version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2005 Buick Century in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 493 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11011782Dec 7, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 11007744Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007743Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11008956Sep 9, 2024Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
Other model years of the Buick Century
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 19 | 68,977 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 39 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 127 | 63,546 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 154 | 62,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 145 | 54,800 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 193 | 60,935 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 235 | 56,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 218 | 57,972 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 106 | 94,944 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 80 | 75,550 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 99 | 92,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 106 | 88,500 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 54 | 123,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 45 | 94,500 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 38 | 45,082 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 33 | — | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 40 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 16 | — | 3 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 22 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 7 | — | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Century model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Buick Century have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2005 Buick Century as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2005 Buick Century is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 8 complaints (42% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 2005 Buick Century been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Buick Century get?
The EPA rates the 2005 Buick Century (Century, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Buick Century reported?
Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,977 miles and the middle half falls between 48,740 and 87,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.