1999 Buick Century: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 235 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 235 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dec 17,1999 manufacturer recall numbern990093 NHTSA recall number99v356 recall statusrecall incomplete summary 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. Safety risk driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2018
“Tire failure. Failure was spontaneous. New tires less than 2 months old and only 200 miles driven. Bulging sidewall. Is in process of being fixed.”Owner report · Tires · May 2016
“My car is nothing but a problem and very serious problem. I lost control of my car and almost get into accident. The ABS breaks is not stable,so many electrical problems. Power windows is defect.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I had to replace the head gasket twice. Mechanic indicated the first time that the coolant might be the cause for the gasket deterioration. When replaced the second time, the gasket was (I believe) a metal rather than plastic or rubber and the coolant was green. So far, so good. Both replacements cost $1000+. Recently had brakes replaced and was told the intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced at a cost of $1100. The car runs well, but has serious rust on the rail below the doors. Not sure I should spend that much on a 16 yr old car. I've also had to have a motor on the driver's side window repaired. That seems to be a frequent problem with this model, too.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick century equipped with goodyear douglas (na) tires, size: 215/70r15/98t xtrac2 (na). After inspecting the tires, the contact discovered that the rear passenger side tire sidewall was uneven. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician stated that the tire needed to be replaced. The tire was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle and tire failure mileage was 71,803.”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 buick century. While driving at 35 mph, the vehicle slid on ice and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a head injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick century. While driving 5 mph, the engine stalled. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and restarted the ignition, but the failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 98,400. Updated 10/07/14*lj updated 3/24/2015 *js”Owner report · Engine · May 2014
“I never was informed of any recalls on my 1999 buick century. Now I see all the advertisements on television, in the paper, online that the car can burn up. Brakes, steering, ignition. Which was repaired for 400 dollars. My engine warning light is on constantly, and they can't find what's going on. Once, it just completely stopped.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick century. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph at night, the head light failed. The contact stated that he attempted to turn them back on but they would not activate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,248. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2013
“Was driving with my 2 young boys, needed to stop and the brakes became very spongy. Pulled vehicle over and noticed brake fluid coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon further investigation found a brake line rusted through. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION, EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MOTOR SHORTS TO ITS CASE AND GROUNDS THROUGH A FLEXIBLE BRAKE FLUID PIPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CABLE FROM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (EBCM) TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BODY RAIL.
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 VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
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.
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. 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Century by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Buick Century reliable?
NHTSA has 235 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Buick Century. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Buick Century problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 57,808 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Buick Century have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.