Total Complaints
287 filings
BUICK CENTURY · model year
287 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999BUICKCENTURY carries 287 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 5 fires, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 CENTURY is engine and engine cooling with 17 filings, followed by exterior lighting:headlights (15) and visibility:power window devices and controls (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1999 CENTURY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
287 filings
Crashes Reported
20 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 17 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 15 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 15 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 13 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 10 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 7 |
| AIR BAGS | 7 |
| STEERING | 7 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 6 |
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.
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.
Mileage: 106,000
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.
Mileage: 50,000
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.
Mileage: 50,000
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE MAKING A TURN
Mileage: 200,000
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.
Mileage: 125,000
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.
Mileage: 35,084
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.
Mileage: 88,988
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.
Mileage: 88,988
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.
Mileage: 88,988
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
Mileage: 66,543
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.
Mileage: 71,803
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.
Mileage: 78,000
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.
Mileage: 78,000
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.
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
Mileage: 98,400
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.
Mileage: 150
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.
Mileage: 150
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.
Mileage: 150
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.
Mileage: 150
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.