NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
15 reportsClear category filter106,000 miles · Oct 27, 2017
Electrical System
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 RE…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #11040328
50,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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 …
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #11039787
150 miles · May 26, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 ST…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10594028
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2012
Electrical SystemFire
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 ABOUT 3 STARTERS INCLUDING…
Read full complaint
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 ABOUT 3 STARTERS INCLUDING IT'S ORIGINAL, BUT ONCE IT HAS STARTED I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO POWER. EVENTUALLY IT WILL COME ON. DURING THE SUMMER WITH THE HEAT IT SEEMS LIKE IT NEVER WANTS TO WORK. IT WILL USUALLY START WITH NO PROBLEMS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. BUT NOW WITH WINTER COMING I AM SEEING THAT ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE CONTINUING, WHEREAS THE ELECTRICITY DOES NOT COME ON. I HAVE NO RADIO, NO SPEEDOMETER, NO GAS, NO MILEAGE, NOTHING. MY HEAT IS ALSO NOT COMING ON. THE FUSE BOX SWITCH SEEMS TO BE BLOWN OR SOMETHING EVERY FUSE THAT GOES INTO THE FUSE SOCKET FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR OR RELAY POPS AND NO LONGER WORKS. ALONG WITH THIS I HAD A FUSE FIRE IN MY CAR (I THINK). IT HAPPENED IN MY DOOR WHEN I WAS ROLLING MY WINDOWS DOWN ONE DAY. EVER SINCE THEN MY WINDOWS DO NOT WORK THE SAME, AND OVER TIME THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I'VE CHANGED THE CONTROLLER TWICE AND IT DOESN'T WORK. ALONG WITH THE WINDOW ISSUES- WHEN MY CONTROLLER DID WORK- MY WINDOWS LIKED TO GET STUCK. YOU COULD ROLL THEM DOWN BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. ONE WINTER I WAS DRIVING HOME I HAD AN HOUR LONG DRIVE AND 5 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN ALL ON ITS OWN AND WAS STUCK. LUCKILY IT WAS JUST VERY COLD AND NOT SNOWING. ALL OF THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ADDING ON OVER THE YEARS. THE FIRST PROBLEM THAT I EVER HAD WAS THE FUSE FIRE IN MY WINDOW. MY NEXT ISSUE OF CONCERN IS THE FLOODING THAT IS HAPPENING IN MY CAR. IT ONLY OCCURS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR ON THE FLOOR. THERE SEEMS TO BE ABSOLUTELY NO SOURCE FOR WHERE THIS WATER IS COMING FROM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484029
110,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE (1999 GM BUICK CENTURY ,120,000 MILES) ON AT LEAST 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THE VEHICLE ENGINE HAS STALLED AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, IT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AT 45 MPH.AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPS IT CAN BE RESTARTED. THER…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE (1999 GM BUICK CENTURY ,120,000 MILES) ON AT LEAST 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THE VEHICLE ENGINE HAS STALLED AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, IT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AT 45 MPH.AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPS IT CAN BE RESTARTED. THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATORS DISPLAYED BEFORE OR AFTER. INITIALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AND THERE WERE NO CODE DIAGNOSTICS INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES. THE GAS CAP, CRANK SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER REFLASHED. THE VEHICLE NOW MAINTAINS A CONSTANT SMALL EVAP LEAK WARNING CODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE MECHANICS CANNOT FIND ANY ASSOCIATED LEAK PROBLEM AND THE CAR DRIVES PERFECT EXCEPT FOR THE INTERMITTENT AND SUDDEN ENGINE STALL AND SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER . THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON 2 OCCASIONS SINCE THE LAST SERVICE ENCOUNTER. MY INTERNET SEARCHES INDICATE THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT FEW BUICK OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE FOR MANY YEARS. I THINK THE SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND ELECTRICAL POWER FOR STEERING, BRAKES, LIGHTS AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING WARRANTS INVESTIGATION. WHEN THIS OCCURS AT NIGHT ON THE ROAD - SUDDENLY NO ONE CAN SEE YOU STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10306590
89,000 miles · Sep 30, 2004
Electrical System
WHEN THE CONSUMER USES THE HORN THE HORN STICKS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10094727
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
CHILD DOOR ELECTRIC LOCK ROCK SWITCH BROKE RETAINER CLIPS. UNABLE TO LOCK OUT REAR DOORS. HIGH BEAM SWITCH CLICKER BROKEN. NOT ABLE TO KEEP HIGH BEAMS ON WITHOUT HOLDING FLASH LEVER UP. BODY TO TRUNK LID TAIL LIGHT WIRING HARNESS BROKEN WIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10074566
38,000 miles · Dec 9, 2002
Electrical System
THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE REGULATOR CABLE SNAPPED. PH SCC
NHTSA ODI #8024016
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Electrical System
THE AC DELCO BATTERY FAILED, THE CONNECTIONS BROKE CAUSING ACID TO LEAK OUT. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #557950
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2000
Electrical SystemPower Train
COULD NOT DRIVE IN DRIVE, REPLAC TRANSMISSION, WHEN GOT CAR BACK NOT DASH OR BACK LIGHTS ALSO THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER STOPPING
NHTSA ODI #9001715
Official recalls
3Aug 10, 2004
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 & remedy
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.
Dec 17, 1999
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 & remedy
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.
Jul 9, 1999
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗