1999 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 287 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.7 times the median Century year — the 1999 model ranks #1 of 33 Century years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (64), visibility & wipers (31), and brakes (30), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

287

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	64	22%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	31	11%	— flat
Brakes	30	10%	— flat
Lighting	24	8%	— flat
Electrical System	18	6%	▼ down
Other	17	6%	— flat
Airbags	15	5%	▲ up
Speed Control	14	5%	▲ up
Steering	13	5%	▼ down
Transmission	11	4%	▼ down
Fuel System	11	4%	— flat
Body & Structure	10	3%	— flat
Suspension	10	3%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	8	3%	— flat
Seat Belts	5	2%	▼ down
Seats	3	1%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	2	1%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	0%	▼ down

Does the 1999 Buick Century have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E005000SteeringFebruary 17, 2009 · 979 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

04V375000LightingAugust 10, 2004 · 199,793 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LESS ILLUMINATION MAY REDUCE THE ABILITY OF THE DRIVER TO READ OVERHEAD SIGNS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.

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.

99V356000LightingDecember 17, 1999 · 411,880 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.

99V170000BrakesJuly 9, 1999 · 168,559 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS SHORT CAN CAUSE EXTREME HEATING OF THE FLEXIBLE BRAKE PIPE WHERE IT CAN MELT A NEARBY FLEXIBLE PLASTIC FUEL HOSE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CABLE FROM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (EBCM) TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BODY RAIL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 29, 2008 · fire

“DRIVER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS CEASED TO OPERATE. *YH PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED COPY OF THE LETTER SENT 10/11/2002 WHICH SETS OUT INFORMATION ABOUT TWO PREVIOUS POWER WINDOW FAILURES ON THE ABOVE IDENTIFIED VEHICLE. BOTH OF THEM HAD TO BE REPLACED AT #391.87. AND SURELY A THIRD POWER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 1, 2002

“AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY I PULLED UP TO THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR AND AS I PULLED TO WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE DOOR I PUT THE BRAKES ON BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS BASICALLY AT IDLE SPEED BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR AT WHICH TIME I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 20, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAS HEADLIGHT SENSORS WHICH AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON LIGHTS WHEN IT BECOMES DUSK. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS INTERMITTENLY CUT THEMSELVES ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUAL HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. CONSUMER CONTACT MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 18, 2002

“I'VE HAD MY BUICK CENTURY FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS NOW, OVER THE YEARS THE QUALITY OF MY CAR HAS SERIOUSLY DETERIORATED. MOST OF MY PROBLEMS ARE ELECTRICAL. WHEN I START MY CAR - NOT ONLY DOES IT LIKE TO TRY AND START ON IT'S OWN WHEN I PUT MY KEY INTO ACCESSORY (BATTERY MODE). THIS HAS MADE ME GO THROUGH…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 15, 2009 · fire

1999 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1999 Buick Century reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 287 complaints put the 1999 model at #1 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (64 complaints), visibility & wipers (31 complaints), brakes (30 complaints).

Does the 1999 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Century years to avoid are 1999, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1994, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993. The cleanest record among Century years belongs to 1980.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1999 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 1999 Buick Century problems?

Does the 1999 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1999 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1999 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 1999 Century problems?

Does the 1999 Buick Century have recalls?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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