2005 Buick CENTURY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
68,977 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10202054 · 2007-09-06 (September 6, 2007)
EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE. VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD AFTER THE BRAKE HAS BEEN ENGAGED WHEN PARKING ON A HILL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO GET REPAIRED, THE DRUMS WERE TIGHTENED AND CAR STOPPED ROLLING FORWARD. 6 MONTHS LATER THE CAR IS ROLLING AGAIN WHEN PARKED ON A HILL.
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10874731 · 2016-06-16 (June 16, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10874731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10350759 · 2010-08-20 (August 20, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC COVER LENS CAUSING THE PLASTIC COVER TO FOG. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE REDUCED VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY AND THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,617. UPDATED 12/21/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, THE ROTORS, T…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10350759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10428257 · 2011-10-03 (October 3, 2011)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10428257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10717414 · 2015-05-19 (May 19, 2015)
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 SWIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10717414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208409 · 2007-11-08 (November 8, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HIS CHEST CAUSED BY STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,355.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,355 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208409 at NHTSA ↗