The Lemon Index
20046th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 6,504 in the U.S. in 2005 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Hyundai Accent2005 Nissan Maxima 1302005 Chrysler 300 123
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 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 the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Buick sent dealers 497 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “4t65e transmission 1-2 shift shudder at light to moderate acceleration”?
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 6 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 42K to 68K miles (68K to 111K km) on the car (5 of all 6 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
2005 Buick Century headlights turn themselves off while driving.this has happened on three separate occasions . I believe a faulty high low beam switch is the problem.
2005 Buick Century owner · NHTSA complaint 10252794
More owner reports
2005 Buick Century driver's seat sinks in the middle, and the head rest equipment is too high.**
NHTSA complaint 10124782
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 497 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 4t65e transmission 1-2 shift shudder at light to moderate acceleration
- Overview of steering system noises
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. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-century/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Buick Century reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Buick Century reliable?
We can't score it: only 6,504 were sold in the U.S. in 2005 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Buick Century problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (33%), lights (33%) and equipment & accessories (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 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 2005 Buick Century get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Buick Century have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Buick Century cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Buick Century have?
3.1L 6-cyl.
What Buick Century year is better than the 2005?
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