Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
A few times in the last 2 years the headlights have turned off while driving for no reason. Once while I was in the car with a friend who also owns a Buick the issue occurred and he told me his car had been recalled for the same issue. I contacted Buick, who denied any knowledge of the issue, they referred me to my local Buick dealer who was aware of the problem but indicated my model was not one that had been recalled. As GM said they had no liability, I paid my local Buick dealer to diagnose the issue, which they determined was a faulty headlight sensor. The part was replaced at my expense on July 1, 2015. 3 weeks ago the issue occurred again, driving on a dark country road the headlights went out. I contacted GM again, they assigned a file # 8-1631489873 but assumed no responsibility, again telling me to deal with my local Buick dealer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Century. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the low beams stopped working and hindered the contact's visibility while the vehicle was in motion. The contact had to hold the switch to get the high beams to remain illuminated due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the multi-function switch on the column for the lights needed to be replaced, including prematurely deteriorated ground wires. The dealer stated that the parts were to be ordered, but were not yet available for them to provide a specific date of when the part would be available to complete the repair. The contact left the vehicle at the dealer until the part was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
The multi function switch does not work properly. When going around curves and corners you can't dim the headlights. Because the steering wheel doesn't allow the lever to go far enough to catch. Now my headlights will not turn on when the they are suppose to. My cruise control doesn't work. My A/C stops cooling when the speed reaches 60 MPH but if I move the m.f.s. (aka turn signal) it gets cool again for a few minutes. The other night my lights went off when I was meeting a car with its headlights on bright. It was a dark stretch of road. I almost ran in the ditch.
Headlights went off while driving on interstate at night. ( I May have flashed my high beams to signal a truck that it was safe to change lanes before this happened. Interior lights still working when this happened. Nothing I did would bring headlights back on. Very dangerous problem!! Car mileage approximately 62,000. 12/21/2017 date.
Turn brights on and radio/clock light goes off. No headlights on during day driving, radio/clock light randomly goes on and back off. Head lights briefly gone off during night driving 3 different times only for maybe 5 seconds, but it only takes a second for a deer or object to appear at night or a car ahead braking suddenly. Speedometer back light does not illuminate for night driving. Trac off and anti lock warning lights continuously stay on, I have had my brakes replaced throughout the years of owning the car since October 2007 and the warning lights do not reset themselves as they should, they continuously stay on since 2009. I am tired of dealing with all of these electrical and lightening issues with this car. I have tried to find GM recall for these problems. Please tell me where and how I can have these defects fixed.
Purchased on 2004, used, the 2003 vehicle has consistently had the head lamps go out when in highbeams are activated. The dealer said this is a short and said it would cost me to fix them and this happens to many of these vehicles. Major safety issue when you are driving at night and the lights go out. Clicking the low beams on turn the lights back on. Since this seems to be a known issue, why is there. To a recall on this? This happens while the vehicle is in motion at all speeds. (only in the dark, since this is when the high bea,s are used!)
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 have found 33 complaints (so far) about this same problem. This definitely should qualify and be recalled . PLEASE take IMMEDIATE action . Thank you.
Traveling at night, once in heavy traffic with lights on low beam and other times in light or no traffic with lights on high beam, all outside lights go out creating a very dangerous situation. Does not matter if the manual switch is used or if the lights are on automatic. The only thing that makes them come back on is switching the high/ low beam switch. Miles traveled or length of time traveling makes no difference ...random occurrence. Replaced the headlight switches at a auto repair shop made no difference.
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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."
Remedy: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Century years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (49), 1999 (24), 2002 (24), 1998 (23) and 2000 (14) model years. Headlight complaints make up 39% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Buick Century headlight problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 04V-375 (headlights, Aug 10, 2004); 99V-356 (headlights, Dec 17, 1999); 98V-102 (headlights, May 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Century headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (57 mentions), followed by the headlights › high/low beam dimmer switch (19).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.