KnownCarProblems2004 Buick Century Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Buick Century, most often about the lights (28% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is 5th of 6 Century model years by number of complaints.
Complaints39
Recalls0
Crashes reported4
Fires reported0
Injuries reported5
Most common 2004 Buick Century problems
Lights
11 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
While in motion the high beam will go out and low beam with it - no lights at all. You must push or pull the turn signal lever to turn the lights on again.
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…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: storage.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Buick Century. The contact noticed that the fuel gauges were inoperative and displayed inaccurate readings on the instrument panel. The dial constantly displays that the fuel system does not have any gasoline. She is in the process of having the vehicle diagnosed to determine the cause of the…
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.
Air bags
6 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
My parent's vehicle, a 2004 Buick Century, collided with a guard rail on an entrance ramp to I-81 in christiansburg, va. They were wearing seat belts/shoulder harness. Main impact was front left bumper, which was pushed in ~ 3 feet in a narrow indentation; hood was crumpled. There was damage to left side of vehicle.…
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Century. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle became involved in a crash and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact mentioned that no warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact sustained laceration to the to face and mouth which required…
Electrical
5 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 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.
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…
Engine
4 complaints · 10%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.
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Century. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine stalled with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. The engine restarted and the driver was able to continue traveling. The failure recurred numerous times and became progressively worse. The…
Suspension
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: front.
Recently, in dec. 2008 my car had a suspension component part replaced. My 2004 Buick Century just 4 yrs. Old and 60,000 miles needed to have the front stabilizer bar replaced. It appears that a design defect may be the problem resulting in premature failure. The stabilizer bar actually cracked at both ends of the…
The "swaybar" for steering broke. I brought it to my mechanic and he says he has seen this issue with Buick centurys before. It cost approximately $825.00 to fix.
Speed control
3 complaints · 8%When driving the car increase speed without touching the pedal will keep increasing speed slightly making you hit brakes or pull over. I restart the car and sometimes this will stop it sometimes not. It is getting worse and I have had it to a dealer with no finding. I have contacted Buick through email and have not…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Buick Century recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Buick Century
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick Century?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (11 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); fuel system (6 complaints); air bags (6 complaints, typically around 51,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Century have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Buick Century. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Buick Century?
- It is 5th of 6 Century model years by number of complaints, with 39 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.