EZ Swap LLC services the Buick Century in Phoenix, AZ, covering model years 2005. If your Century has a warning light, a strange noise or a safety recall question, our mechanics can diagnose it and give you a clear quote first.
To help Century owners know what to watch for, we reviewed public records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For these model years NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on file for the Century and 2 safety recall campaigns. The most-reported problem areas are exterior lighting (8), electrical system (6), engine and engine cooling (2).
Most-Reported Buick Century Problems
These problem areas come up most often in NHTSA owner complaints for the Century (all model years combined). Complaint counts reflect reports filed, not the share of vehicles affected, so popular and older models naturally have more.
| Problem area (NHTSA component) | Complaints | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 42% | |
| Electrical System | 6 | 31% | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 10% | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 5% | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 5% | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | 5% | |
| Engine | 1 | 5% | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 5% |
Exterior Lighting
8 of the 19 complaints (42%) mention lighting and visibility. Lights, wipers and visibility items are quick to fix and are on every rideshare inspection checklist. We check them as part of our inspection prep. See our rideshare inspection prep page.
Electrical System
6 of the 19 complaints (31%) mention the electrical system. Electrical problems are made worse by desert heat, which ages batteries, cables and connectors. We test the battery, starter and charging system and trace faults to the actual part. See our battery replacement and starter & alternator repair pages.
Engine And Engine Cooling
2 of the 19 complaints (10%) mention the engine and cooling system. Engine and cooling complaints are best caught early in Phoenix, where heat pushes cooling systems and engine oil to their limits. We diagnose warning lights and check coolant, hoses and oil condition. See our check engine light diagnostics and oil change & maintenance pages.
Buick Century Check Engine Codes
NHTSA owner complaints rarely cite specific trouble codes for the Century, so we do not have a model-specific ranking to show. These are the check engine codes we see most often on vehicles in Phoenix heat, and any of them can show up on a Buick.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| P0420 | Catalyst efficiency below threshold (bank 1) Often a worn catalytic converter, but failing oxygen sensors or exhaust leaks can set it too. Can cause an emissions test failure. |
| P0300 | Random or multiple cylinder misfire Worn spark plugs, failing ignition coils, fuel or vacuum problems. Do not ignore a flashing check engine light. |
| P0171 | System too lean (bank 1) Often a vacuum leak, dirty MAF sensor, weak fuel delivery or a failing oxygen sensor. |
| P0455 | EVAP system large leak Missing or loose gas cap, or a disconnected or cracked vapor hose. |
| P0128 | Coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature Usually a thermostat stuck open. Fix it to restore efficiency and cabin heat. |
| P0442 | EVAP system small leak Loose or worn gas cap, cracked hose or purge or vent valve. |
| P0301 | Cylinder 1 misfire Commonly a bad spark plug or ignition coil on that cylinder. |
| P0401 | EGR flow insufficient Clogged EGR passages or a stuck EGR valve. |
Got a check engine light on your Century? A code is a clue, not a diagnosis, so we scan it and test the system before replacing anything. See our check engine light diagnostics.
Buick Century Safety Recalls
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the Century in these model years, most often involving steering, fuel system, other. Recalls are repaired by the manufacturer at no charge to you, but each applies only to certain vehicles. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- 2009 recall, Steering (campaign 09E005000): 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.
- 2007 recall, Fuel System, Other (campaign 07E021000): CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Serious Incident Reports
Of the NHTSA complaints on file for the Century, 1 involved a crash, 1 reported injuries. These numbers are drawn from self-reported complaints and are not verified findings. If your vehicle has an open recall, get it repaired promptly.
Keeping a Buick Century Reliable in Phoenix
Arizona heat is the hardest test a Buick will face. Batteries, belts, hoses, tires and engine oil all wear faster here, and a Century that spends its life in stop-and-go Valley traffic needs maintenance earlier than the owner's manual's normal schedule suggests.
Our recommendation for Century owners: follow the severe-service schedule, test the battery before every summer, inspect brakes and tires twice a year, and have any warning light diagnosed instead of ignored. If you are shopping for a used Buick Century, a pre-purchase inspection shows what the paperwork does not.
Buick Century Services at EZ Swap LLC
Get the details on our Phoenix Buick Century repair service, or choose a service below.
Rideshare Inspection Prep
Get approved for Uber, Lyft and more.
Details →Battery Replacement
Test, replace and protect against Phoenix heat.
Details →Starter & Alternator Repair
Charging and starting system repair.
Details →Check Engine Light Diagnostics
Scan, test and pinpoint the real cause.
Details →Oil Change & Maintenance
Oil, filters, fluids, tires and scheduled service.
Details →Buick Century FAQ
What are the most common problems with the Buick Century?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported problem areas for the Buick Century are exterior lighting (8), electrical system (6), engine and engine cooling (2). Complaint counts reflect reports filed, not the share of vehicles affected.
Which Century model years have the most complaints?
The Century model years with the most NHTSA complaints on file are 2005. Older years have had longer to collect reports, so inspect any specific vehicle before buying.
What check engine codes are common on the Buick Century?
NHTSA complaints rarely cite specific codes for the Buick Century. On Phoenix vehicles in general, we see P0420, P0300 misfires, P0171 lean conditions and EVAP leaks such as P0455 and P0442 most often. Bring yours in and we will scan and test it.
Does the Buick Century have any safety recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the Buick Century across model years 2005. Each recall applies only to certain vehicles, so enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is affected.
Do you repair the Buick Century in Phoenix?
Yes. EZ Swap LLC repairs and maintains Buick vehicles including the Century, at 9050 N 9th St in Phoenix. Call or text (602) 246-9063 for an appointment.
Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it for a used Buick Century?
Yes. An inspection checks the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, A/C and electrical system, and scans for stored codes, so you know the real condition before you buy.
How often should I service my Buick Century in Phoenix?
Follow the severe-service schedule in your owner's manual, since heat and stop-and-go driving count as severe use. Test the battery before summer and inspect brakes and tires regularly.
More Buick Models We Service
Source: public complaint and recall records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov). Counts reflect reports filed and do not predict the condition of any individual vehicle.