NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Buick Century Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1999 Buick Century has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 235 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buick dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Buick Century, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1999 Buick Century owner complaints

Owners have filed 235 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Buick Century, describing incidents dated December 15, 1998 to February 4, 2018.

Most-cited components

Engine 61 complaints
Service Brakes 29 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 29 complaints
Exterior Lighting 23 complaints
Air Bags 15 complaints
Electrical System 14 complaints

Of the 235 complaints on file, 18 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 235 complaints, owners report 18 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11066889 · Filed February 4, 2018
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…
ODI #11040328 · Filed October 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SHIFT GEAR BOARD AND ODOMETER LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUNTAIN BUICK (8701 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL A, ORLANDO, FL 32809) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE…
ODI #11039787 · Filed October 25, 2017
1) NEED HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR A KNOWN RECALL. 2) EVERY DOOR WINDOW MOTOR IN THE BUICK FAILED ON EACH WINDOW PREVENTING THE WINDOWS FROM LOWERING IF IN THE UP POSITION OR PREVENTED THE WINDOWS FROM RAISING IF IN A LOWERED POSITION. THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE DUCT TAPED SHUT IN ORDER TO…

Read all 235 complaints

STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING/LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

NHTSA #09E005000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported February 17, 2009 · DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC.

Potentially affected: 979 vehicles

Owners notified February 23, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DORMAN STEERING KNUCKLES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS

NHTSA #07E021000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Pressure Relief Devices · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2007 · DELPHI

Potentially affected: 742 vehicles

Owners notified April 27, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP BULBS

NHTSA #04V375000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported August 10, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 199,793 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04052 · Owners notified September 8, 2004 · Vehicles built August 1, 1998 – June 30, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 04052.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #99V356000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported December 17, 1999 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 411,880 vehicles

Owners notified July 20, 2000 · Vehicles built March 1, 1998 – June 30, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 20, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/ABS MOTOR SHORT

NHTSA #99V170000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported July 9, 1999 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 168,559 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 99033 · Owners notified August 25, 1999 · Vehicles built March 1, 1998 – April 20, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 25, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1999 Buick Century 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

235 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Buick Century.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11066889

Incident: February 4, 2018 · Filed: February 4, 2018

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.

Electrical System

ODI #11040328

Incident: October 31, 2012 · Filed: October 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SHIFT GEAR BOARD AND ODOMETER LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUNTAIN BUICK (8701 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL A, ORLANDO, FL 32809) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11039787

Incident: July 1, 2016 · Filed: October 25, 2017

1) NEED HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR A KNOWN RECALL. 2) EVERY DOOR WINDOW MOTOR IN THE BUICK FAILED ON EACH WINDOW PREVENTING THE WINDOWS FROM LOWERING IF IN THE UP POSITION OR PREVENTED THE WINDOWS FROM RAISING IF IN A LOWERED POSITION. THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE DUCT TAPED SHUT IN ORDER TO PREVENT RAIN FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE CAB AND THE FAILURES HAPPENED OVER 2015 TO 2016 AND EACH HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW MOTORS. THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF BUICK OWNERS ACROSS THE INTERNET COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT I DON'T BELIEVE BUICK EVER ISSUED A RECALL BUT I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE. IF THIS ISN'T A RECALL, IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS KNOWN FAILURE. THE CLOSEST BUICK DEALER TO US IS SAM LEMAN CHEVROLET BUICK, 1040 WEST CENTER ST., EUREKA, IL. 309-467-2351.

Steering

ODI #11032773

Incident: October 2, 2017 · Filed: October 10, 2017

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE MAKING A TURN

Steering

ODI #10967690

Incident: March 22, 2017 · Filed: March 22, 2017

THIS MORNING I STARTED MY CAR TO HEAD TO WORK, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE AND VERY HARD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. AS I BACKED UP I NOTICED A LEAK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I PURCHASED A BOTTLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID WITH STOP LEAK AND PUT IT IN HOPING THAT'S WHAT IT NEEDED. I CONTINUED MY DRIVE TO WORK WITH HESITATION. I WAS STILL UNABLE TO MAKE A SHARP TURN. WHILE AT WORK I RESEARCHED A FEW THINGS AND FOUND IT TO BE THE RACK AND PINION HAS PROBABLY LOCKED UP AND LEAKED. THE PART TO REPLACE WILL COST ME ABOUT $200 AND THE MECHANICS FEES WILL BE MORE, WITH A TOTAL OF AROUND $750-$800. MY CAR IS OLDER AND HAS ME WONDERING IF I CAN AFFORD TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO REPLACING FAULTY PARTS. IF THIS PART ALREADY HAS AN INVESTIGATION ONGOING, I WOULD LIKE TO BE PLACED ON THE LIST TO HAVE THIS ISSUE SOLVED.

Tires

ODI #10870389

Incident: May 23, 2016 · Filed: May 23, 2016

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.

Vehicle Speed Control; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Engine

ODI #10749945

Incident: August 20, 2015 · Filed: August 20, 2015

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10745845

Incident: April 7, 2008 · Filed: August 3, 2015

ALL FOUR WINDOWS, TWICE, HAVE HAD REPAIR DONE. CLIPS IN DOOR WORN AND BREAKS, WIND OWN FALLS DOWN AND WON'T STAY UP, POWER. 300. TO 500. EA TO REPAIR. WROTE ABOUT THIS COMPLAINT MANY TIMES WHY NOT A RECALL

Tires

ODI #10727013

Incident: February 15, 2015 · Filed: June 24, 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.

Engine; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #10721329

Incident: March 18, 2015 · Filed: May 25, 2015

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.

Other Buick Century model years

Check your 1999 Buick Century VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buick Century at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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