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1999 Buick CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 235 owner complaints about the 1999 Buick Century, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.5× the Century median · #1 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints23535 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage53kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 4, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Buick Century has problems

235 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling552
Visibility290
Service brakes, hydraulic254
Exterior lighting240
Air bags1510
Electrical system151
Vehicle speed control145
Steering130
Power train111
14 other systems661

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1999 Buick Century recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 04V-375 · Aug 10, 2004 · 199,793 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 99V-170 · Jul 9, 1999 · 168,559 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

53kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 31 engine and engine cooling complaints. 97% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 43% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles30under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other Century year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Century median. How we score

'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1999 Buick Century safety ratings

1999 Buick Century 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1999 Buick Century frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Century owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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 10241425 · Sep 9, 2008 · 54,310 miles
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON--MEANS AIRBAG WILL NOT/MAY NOT DEPLOY IF IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. DEALER SHARPE BUICK REPLACED MODULE APPROX 3 TIMES BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I WAS TOLD THAT AIRBAG LIGHT HAD TO STAY ON CONSTANT BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING, LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT…
Complaint 10238682 · Aug 18, 2008 · 29,000 miles
SECOND FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 1999 BUICK CENTURY 3.1 M ENGINE. CAUSES ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK FROM MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE (AS STATED IN OWNERS MANUAL, WARNING NOT TO SPILL ANTI-FREEZE ON A HOT ENGINE WHEN FILLING RADIATOR AS IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE). FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT…
Complaint 10181076 · Jan 30, 2007 · 115,000 miles

Own a 1999 Century?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.