The Lemon Index
200320056th generation
Not enough data. Only 10 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Hyundai Accent2004 Nissan Maxima 4092004 Mitsubishi Galant
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E005000 (steering) and 07E021000 (fuel system, other) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Buick sent dealers 405 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 10 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 31K miles (20K to 50K km) on the car (6 of all 10 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The consumer read about defective headlights and wanted to know if there is a recall for the 2004 Buick regal.
2004 Buick Century owner · NHTSA complaint 10107066
More owner reports
While driving 45 mph consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained bruises on her chest area.
NHTSA complaint 10080158
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 405 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…
- Intermittent instrument panel cluster (ipc) inoperative (fuel gauge or prndl), engine no crank…
- Intermittent service engine soon (ses), anti-lock brake (abs) or traction control system (tcs)…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Steering · recall issued 2009
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 VARIO…
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.1L 6-cyl.
Every Buick Century year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-century/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Buick Century reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Buick Century reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2004 Buick Century problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (30%), airbags (20%) and fuel system, other (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Century have?
2 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Buick Century get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Buick Century have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Buick Century cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Buick Century have?
3.1L 6-cyl.
What Buick Century year is better than the 2004?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
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. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works