Before you buy
This 2004 Buick Century has 39 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Headlight/Taillight Failures.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2004 Buick Century Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2004 Buick Century.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2004 Buick Century Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2004 Buick Century 4-DR. w/SABOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
BUICK CENTURY 2004 has 39 NHTSA complaints, with headlight/taillight failures (11) and airbag malfunctions (6) as top issues. Two recalls exist. Buyers should inspect lighting and electrical systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Buick
- Model
- Century
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 39
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Headlight/Taillight Failures
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2004 Buick Century problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Airbag Malfunctions
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Headlight/Taillight Failures, Airbag Malfunctions, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2004 Buick Century?
The 2004 Buick Century may be worth considering if you prioritize low cost and can address common lighting and electrical issues. However, the low complaint count means patterns are uncertain, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Headlight/taillight failures and airbag malfunctions directly affect safety and usability. Electrical faults can lead to unpredictable problems, making pre-purchase checks critical.
May Suit
This year may suit budget-conscious buyers who are handy with basic repairs and can verify the vehicle's history.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a worry-free, low-maintenance vehicle should avoid this year due to potential lighting and electrical issues.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2004 Buick Century
Inspection Focus
- Inspect headlight and taillight operation and condition.
- Check airbag warning lights and system functionality.
- Test all electrical components including windows, locks, and dashboard.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect headlight and taillight operation and condition.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag and electrical systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Buick Century, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Buick Century shows notable headlight/taillight failures (11 complaints) and airbag malfunctions (6 complaints). Electrical faults (5) and engine problems (4) also appear. With only 39 complaints across one model year, the data is limited, so buyers should verify specific component history. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Only the 2004 model year is analyzed, so no comparison to other years is available.
Recall context: With 2 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase.
- Headlight/taillight failures account for 11 of 39 complaints.
- Airbag malfunctions total 6 complaints.
- Electrical faults represent 5 complaints.
- Headlight/Taillight Failures (11 complaints)
- Airbag Malfunctions (6 complaints)
- Electrical Faults (5 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2004 Buick Century complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Buick Century. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Buick Century. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
POWER SEAT WIRING HARNESS SORTED TO SEAT FRAME/SPRING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG HIT THE CONTACT'S ARM AND FACE LEAVING MINOR MARKS AND BRUISES. THE DRIVER DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL A…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR…
FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKES. I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS THE FIRST TO GO. THE FRONT BURST AND ABOUT 4 WEEKS LATER THE CAUSE WAS RUST AND CORROSION. BOTH TIMES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.
BRAKE LINE FAILED ON REAR BRAKES. LOST ALL FLUID IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY RUST ON BRAKE LINES
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR OVER 5 MILES IT WILL CHOKE AND NOT LET ME ACCELERATE AND THE SPEEDOMETER GOES TO 0. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE?
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 DO…
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 …
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.
CAR STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BUT STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY AND CONTINUED DRIVING HOME. NEXT WEEK STOPPED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AS I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION BUT STARTED UP AGAIN AND CONTINUED HOME. NEXT TIME DRIVING NO PROBLEMS THEN STOPPED AG…
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.
YOU COULD SMELL GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY GARAGE AND THEY WENT ALL OVER IT AND COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE SMELL. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF THE GAS TANK WAS FULL OR HALF FULL. WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM IT WAS MUCH WORSE. I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN A…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR RE…
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.
TL* 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 LACERATI…
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 OTHE…
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 CO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIR…
TL* 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…
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. *TR
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Buick Century.
Safety recalls
2004 Buick Century recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Buick Century. With 2 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
STEERING
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2004 Buick Century buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Buick Century reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 39 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Buick Century may be worth considering if you prioritize low cost and can address common lighting and electrical issues. However, the low complaint count means patterns are uncertain, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick Century?▾
#1: Headlight/Taillight Failures (11 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (6 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (5 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Buick Century?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Buick Century?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Buick Century, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 39 total complaints. 5 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Buick Century have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Buick Century. A major recall area is STEERING. With 2 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Buick Century?▾
The 2004 Buick Century may be worth considering if you prioritize low cost and can address common lighting and electrical issues. However, the low complaint count means patterns are uncertain, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential. Headlight/taillight failures and airbag malfunctions directly affect safety and usability. Electrical faults can lead to unpredictable problems, making pre-purchase checks critical. Pay extra attention to Headlight/Taillight Failures during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Buick Century reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Buick Century based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.