NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints for the 2005 Buick Century. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (8) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
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 REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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.”
“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,…”
“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 *JS”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (8), electrical system (6), engine and engine cooling (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2005 Buick Century at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).