The Lemon IndexBuick Century reliability.
Is it reliable? Yes, very. A bit under half as many complaints as the average car.
One of the most reliable · 2000–2004
What owners say on YouTube: we haven't studied Buick Century videos yet. When that study runs, the most-watched owner reviews and buyer guides for each generation, and what owners praise and complain about, show up here.
Fewest complaints
2002.
Only 4 Buick Century years have enough complaints and sales to score, too few for best and worst lists. 2002 drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-century/" title="Buick Century reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-century/">Lemon Index</a> (Buick Century reliability by year)</p>Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Compare the Buick Century.
Opens the compare tool with both cars, every year side by side. Compare with any car →
Quick answers.
Is the Buick Century reliable?
Yes, very. It draws a bit under half as many complaints as the average car. Fewest complaints: 2002.
Is the Buick Century a good car?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable models we track, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2000-2004: Lemon Index 42; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: 2002 drew the fewest complaints and 2000 the most.
What are the best Buick Century years to buy?
Only 4 Buick Century years have enough data to score, so we don't list best years. 2002 drew the fewest complaints (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
What Buick Century years should you stay away from?
Only 4 Buick Century years have enough data to score, too few to single out years to avoid.
How many recalls does the Buick Century have?
20 safety recalls across the 6 model years we track. Most: 2000 (7), 2001 (5), 2002 (2). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Buick Century problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name brakes, engine and lights most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 53 | about half as many complaints as the average car | 83 | visibility (17%) | 7 | — | 21 |
| 2001 | 44 | a bit under half as many complaints as the average car | 66 | service brakes, hydraulic (23%) | 5 | — | 21 |
| 2002 | 37 | a bit under half as many complaints as the average car | 61 | lights (18%) | 2 | — | 21 |
| 2003 | 51 | about half as many complaints as the average car | 39 | service brakes, hydraulic (26%) | 2 | — | 21 |
| 2004 | – | too few complaints to score | 10 | lights (30%) | 2 | — | 21 |
| 2005 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 6 | seats (33%) | 2 | — | 21 |
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. U.S. sales source: sec.gov. How it works
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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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