1999 Buick Century lighting problems

The 1999 Buick Century has 24 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Lighting complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Century lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 1999 Buick Century have?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the 1999 Buick Century lighting — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1999 Buick Century lighting?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the lighting: 04V375000, 99V356000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.