Check a VIN

2005 Buick Century problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Buick Century is lights, typically around 68,977 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Century model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
94/100
Owner complaints
19
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
496
Worst area
Lights
Fuel economy
21mpg

The worst 2005 Buick Century problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Lights
    9
  • Electrical
    6
  • Brakes
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Buick Century

Headlights 8

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Buick Century 496

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 496 bulletins for the 2005 Buick Century

2005 Buick Century fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.1L 6‑cylFWD182721

What 2005 Buick Century owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 4, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

No abs light on but they don't work. But also there is hot wire running at all times I don't know where it coming from my o2 sensor keep coming on

Filed Jun 16, 2016 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 118,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick century. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the low beams stopped working and hindered the contact's visibility while the vehicle was in motion. The contact had to hold the switch to get the high beams to remain illuminated due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the multi-function switch on the column for the lights needed to be replaced, including prematurely deteriorated ground wires. The dealer stated that the parts were to be ordered, but were not yet available for them to provide a specific date of when the part would be available to complete the repair. The contact left the vehicle at the dealer until the part was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2015 · Lights · 80,000 miles · MA

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. The part was replaced at my expense on july 1, 2015. 3 weeks ago the issue occurred again, driving on a dark country road the headlights went out. I contacted gm again, they assigned a file # 8-1631489873 but assumed no responsibility, again telling me to deal with my local buick dealer.

Filed Sep 24, 2015 · Lights · 65,000 miles · MI

Headlights turned off while driving. No headlights or brights only available.

Filed May 19, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 82,500 miles · DE

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. Our low beam headlights still were not coming on. I then found I cound turn my high beams on, so I did to illuminate the road and be able to drive home. Driving with only high beams is both dangerous and illegal. It can be blinding to on coming traffic and I could have been cited if I had been pulled over by the police. From where my low beams went out, to home was about 4.5 miles. Right before pulling in at home my low beams came back on. I turned off the high beams and still had the low beams. Quite unusual. Then within a 2 to 3 week stretch, my low beam headlights went out twice again. Right away, I turned on my high beams and within 15 - 20 minutes, low beams came back on. While I'm able to light up the road using the high beams if this happens again - it still is not a safe alternative. There is an issue. I don't know if it's a module problem, bad wiring, I just don't know. I did find out on the internet, other same year, make and model drivers have experienced this same issue. Lights going out for no reason while driving at night needs to be addressed. Thank you for researching and getting gm to do the right thing and have them fix this safety issue.

Filed Sep 14, 2014 · 121,000 miles · LA

2005 buick century custom. Purchased used in excellent condition from ford dealership in 2011. Electric windows worked fine, then in 2012, 1 of the windows just fell down the track. A cpl months later another did the same thing and then a cpl more months a third one fell. I removed the door panels as these incidents happened and could feel a cable laying loose down in the bottom of the doorwell. I'm not sure if a "possible pulley" or the cables theirselves broke, but this is an obvious issue with this make, model & year from what I read on carparts.com. I now have pieces of 1"x2"'s wedged in to hold them up because of lack of funds. If this is actually a common issue, as I read, then this should be considered to make it as a recall. Thank you **note - I only drive this car between 50-65 mi. A week on paved roads and no rough driving and the car has never been in any accidents ever. A very well taken care of vehicle.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Engine · 140,193 miles · CT

Tl* 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. Updated 8/19/14*cn the consumer stated the vehicle was traded in. Updated 08/27/2014

Filed Dec 7, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 48,740 miles · NY

While driving at night, the headlights turned off by themselves. This has happened 3 times. When high/low beam selector was used, lights returned on. Suspect faulty switch??

Filed Oct 3, 2011 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick century. The contact stated that when activating the right turn signal, the vehicle would stall. When activating the left turn signal, the instrument panel would flash abnormally. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted and denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The contact believed that the ignition starter switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 88,000.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2005 Buick Century before you buy

Compare the 2005 Buick Century

Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005

Questions about the 2005 Buick Century

Is the 2005 Buick Century reliable?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2005 Buick Century, fewer than a typical Century model year.

What is the 2005 Buick Century year score?

The 2005 Buick Century scores 94 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Buick Century: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Buick Century?

Lights, with 9 complaints, typically around 68,977 miles. Next is electrical (6).

How many recalls does the 2005 Buick Century have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Buick Century have the most lights problems?

The Buick Century model years with the most lights complaints are 2003 (49 complaints), 1999 (24 complaints) and 2002 (24 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Buick Century get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Buick Century range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.1L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 27 highway.

Share your experience with the 2005 Buick Century

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2005 Buick Century?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN