Buick Century Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Buick Century across 11 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (48). The words owners use most often: “low beam” (14% of reports).
- 168exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 50%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low beam: mentioned in 24 of 168 complaints (14%)
- High beams: mentioned in 22 of 168 complaints (13%)
- Dimmer switch: mentioned in 21 of 168 complaints (13%)
- Headlights went: mentioned in 13 of 168 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 100 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 168 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Buick Century exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Century | 8 | 42% | 74,489 |
| 2004 Century | 11 | 28% | 69,000 |
| 2003 Century | 48 | 38% | 79,923 |
| 2002 Century | 24 | 16% | 56,000 |
| 2001 Century | 4 | 3% | 130,000 |
| 2000 Century | 14 | 7% | 81,950 |
| 1999 Century | 24 | 10% | 75,000 |
| 1998 Century | 21 | 10% | 78,000 |
| 1997 Century | 9 | 8% | 89,887 |
| 1996 Century | 2 | 3% | — |
| 1995 Century | 3 | 3% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 1999
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles do not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some of these vehicles do not meet the overhead sign illumination requirements.
Risk: Less illumination may reduce the ability of the driver to read overhead signs when driving at night.
Fix: Dealers will install new low beam headlamp bulbs in both of the headlamp assemblies. The recall began on september 8, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080. Note: if the bulb needs replacement in the future, gm bulb number 89024715 is available from a dealer, or the equivalent sylvania bulb is 9006hp, with orange lettering on the bulb.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 1998, 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the vertical head lamp adjusting device may not be calibrated properly.
Risk: Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 1997, 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
Fix: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was driving at night switched headlights to high beams - few minutes later switched back to low beams and ALL LIGHTS dash and head lights went completely out . Tried to pull head light knob and nothing - pitch black . Luckily i was a short distance from my home. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ! I…
The vehicle's gas tank won't hold much and clicks as if full. Also, when on uneven pavement or ground, the ⛽ gas warning light comes on, even after gas was just put in. In addition, at times i smell a "burning electrical" smell and the headlights go out, the brights fail to "click" on or goes…
My vehicle's window controls and lock controls are no longer working, when locking the door or the window will go down but will not come up. The rest of the windows control throughout the car will not work as well. The lighting in the car flickers if you would push the lot or the window control…
Our daughter was nearly killed by a driver with their lights off. Many drivers of late model cars are not aware that their lights are off because their dash is lit and their driving lights are on. There are no alerts telling people their lights are off!!!!! Our seat belts make noise, if a car door…
I was driving at night when the headlights shut off, had to hit the dash near the light switch to turn the lights back on.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Buick Centurys have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 168 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Buick Century. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Buick Century exterior lighting?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Buick Century?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 24 of 168 complaints, followed by “high beams” (22).
Other Buick Century problems
See all Buick Century problems.