MYRModel Year Report

2004 Buick Century

▲ Better than typical
2004 Buick Century
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:18.858Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
39
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Exterior lighting

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2004 39 2005: 19 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2001 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2004 39 2005: 19 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1986 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1988 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1994 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1998 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2000 2001: 145 complaints 2001 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2003 2004: 39 complaints 2004 39 2005: 19 complaints 2005

2004: 39 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19848
19857
198622
198728
198816
198941
199033
199139
199245
199354
1994117
199599
199680
1997106
1998218
1999235
2000193
2001145
2002154
2003127
200439
200519

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

28% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and high/low beam dimmer switch.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-21

Air bags

15% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-05-26

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-10-30

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-12-05

Electrical system

13% · 5 reports
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-13

Engine

10% · 4 reports
Show complaint excerpts

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 ODI report, 2013-07-13

Vehicle speed control

8% · 3 reports

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "Oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" Brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for…

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Buick Century reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Buick Century is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick Century?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Century have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.