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2004 Buick Century Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Buick Century has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel gauge inaccuracy and fuel tank sloshing/odor.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Buick Century.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel gauge inaccuracy and fuel tank sloshing/odor

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2004-03 → 2015-03

“CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE FUEL SLASHING BACK AND FORTH IN THE FUEL TANK DUE TO THE FACT THE TANK WAS LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. ALSO, THERE WAS CRACKLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT CRACKLING NOISE WAS DUE TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10061519
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DIAL CONSTANTLY DISPLAYS THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE ANY GASOLINE. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10234292
“YOU COULD SMELL GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY GARAGE AND THEY WENT ALL OVER IT AND COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE SMELL. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF THE GAS TANK WAS FULL OR HALF FULL. WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM IT WAS MUCH WORSE. I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10702249

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Intermittent headlight failure from dimmer switch

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2005-02 → 2018-06

“TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 BUICK CENTURY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ON 02/15/07 AT 30 MPH ON A RURAL HIGHWAY THE HEADLIGHTS BLINKED OFF AND ON, AND THEN THEY WENT OUT AGAIN AND STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CURRENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10185274
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAMS, ALL OF THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO HAVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10437493
“THERE IS AN ELECTRIC SHORT IN MY VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID IT WAS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND LOST THE RADIO. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER/HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE VEHICLE, AND FOR CONSUMER TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10124478

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment and unexpected deployment

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2004-06 → 2020-05

“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. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10080158
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651490
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG HIT THE CONTACT'S ARM AND FACE LEAVING MINOR MARKS AND BRUISES. THE DRIVER DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11325959

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling while driving

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2018-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TRAVELING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10536063
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10566523
“CAR STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BUT STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY AND CONTINUED DRIVING HOME. NEXT WEEK STOPPED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AS I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION BUT STARTED UP AGAIN AND CONTINUED HOME. NEXT TIME DRIVING NO PROBLEMS THEN STOPPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10731382

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front stabilizer bar and tie rod failure

STEERING, SUSPENSION

3 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2015-06

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND MERGING TO THE LEFT, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT MAY HAVE DRIVEN OVER SOMETHING TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10206676
“RECENTLY, IN DEC. 2008 MY CAR HAD A SUSPENSION COMPONENT PART REPLACED. MY 2004 BUICK CENTURY JUST 4 YRS. OLD AND 60,000 MILES NEEDED TO HAVE THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR REPLACED. IT APPEARS THAT A DESIGN DEFECT MAY BE THE PROBLEM RESULTING IN PREMATURE FAILURE. THE STABILIZER BAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10267977
“THE "SWAYBAR" FOR STEERING BROKE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE WITH BUICK CENTURYS BEFORE. IT COST APPROXIMATELY $825.00 TO FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10726670

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake line failure from rust and corrosion

SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2019-09

“FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKES. I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS THE FIRST TO GO. THE FRONT BURST AND ABOUT 4 WEEKS LATER THE CAUSE WAS RUST AND CORROSION. BOTH TIMES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11253909
“BRAKE LINE FAILED ON REAR BRAKES. LOST ALL FLUID IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY RUST ON BRAKE LINES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11157184

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

139 crashes 1990–2024

How the 139 occupant deaths break down

113

driver deaths

26

passenger deaths

139

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Buick Century reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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