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1999 Buick Century

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Century years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Buick Century are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

102 reports with mileage · 133 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

25 reports
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24,000 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE VEHICLES BRAKES WENT OUT JUST AFTER GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THAT REPAIRED THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES AND HEADLIGHTS. THE CONSUMER DIDNT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY PREVIOUSLY DIDN'T DO WORK THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO DO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10126444

38,000 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DEFECT ON LR PROPORTIONING VALVE WAS FOUND AFTER REPAIR ON BRAKES. CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. (NAR) *LA *CB

NHTSA ODI #10061018

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HEATS UP, THE BRAKE LINE HEATS AND MELTS, CAUSING THE NO FLUID TO BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKES ARE NOW DAMAGED TO POINT OF TOTAL REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF APPROX. $1,000.00. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10032614

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND APPLYING ON BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. DEALER HAS STATED THAT ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AS MUCH. DEALER LOANED CONSUMER SAME VEHICLE, ONLY A 1993. CONSUMER STATED, WHILE DRIVING THE LOANER, APPLIED ON BRAKES AND PROBLEM WAS STILL OC…

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND APPLYING ON BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. DEALER HAS STATED THAT ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AS MUCH. DEALER LOANED CONSUMER SAME VEHICLE, ONLY A 1993. CONSUMER STATED, WHILE DRIVING THE LOANER, APPLIED ON BRAKES AND PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURRING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010920

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

ON NOV. 9TH 2001, WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO ATLANTA, THE CRUISE CONTROL FROZE UP AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, I WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT OR TURN IT OFF AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND , THEY WERE LOCKED UP ALSO. THINKING THAT THE ACCELERATOR MIGHT BE STUCK I TAPPED IT LIGHTLY AND THE CAR SPED UP TO 85 MPH. I WAS IN ATLANTA TRAFFIC AND …

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ON NOV. 9TH 2001, WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO ATLANTA, THE CRUISE CONTROL FROZE UP AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, I WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT OR TURN IT OFF AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND , THEY WERE LOCKED UP ALSO. THINKING THAT THE ACCELERATOR MIGHT BE STUCK I TAPPED IT LIGHTLY AND THE CAR SPED UP TO 85 MPH. I WAS IN ATLANTA TRAFFIC AND FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 5 MILES I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO DISENGAGE. THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OFF AND I DECIDED TO TURN IT OFF. IT INSTEAD REENGAGED AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FOR AWHILE. WE FINALLY GOT ONTO I-285 LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GET OFF. AS WE GOT UP TO SPEED IT ONCE AGAIN REENGAGED AND IT TOOK ME NEARLY 8 MILES TO GET IT OFF AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES, EACH TIME I WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF AT THE EXIT TO OUR DAUGHTERS HOUSE AND I UNPLUGGED IT UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED IN A CAR IN MY LIFE. 85 MPH IN ATLANTA TRAFFIC & NO BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET/BUICK DEALER (BENNETT CHEVROLET/BUICK) ON MONDAY THE 12TH. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CRUSE CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE OUT. I THOUGHT THAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL FOR A FATAL CRASH. WE WERE LUCKY, PLEASE SEE THAT THIS HAPPENS TO NO ONE ELSE, THEY MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754645

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

MY WIFE MARIA NENA A. FLORIDO WAS INVOLVED IN A TOTAL WRECK ACCIDENT. IT TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE EXIT OF PIONEER BOULEVARD. SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND 60 MPH ON U.S. HIGHWAY 91 HEADING EASTBOUND IN CERRITOS, CA. SHE WAS ON THE SECOND LANE FROM THE OUTER LANE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO WIGGLE AND BEGUN MOVING TOWARDS THE RIGH…

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MY WIFE MARIA NENA A. FLORIDO WAS INVOLVED IN A TOTAL WRECK ACCIDENT. IT TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE EXIT OF PIONEER BOULEVARD. SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND 60 MPH ON U.S. HIGHWAY 91 HEADING EASTBOUND IN CERRITOS, CA. SHE WAS ON THE SECOND LANE FROM THE OUTER LANE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO WIGGLE AND BEGUN MOVING TOWARDS THE RIGHT LANE. SHE TRIED TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL TO STAY ON THE LANE. WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE DRIVER'S DOOR SLAMMED INTO THE GUARDRAIL FACING IN THE OPPOITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC. WITHOUT THE GUARDRAIL,THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745772

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlFire

WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, VEHICLE BEGAN SLOWING SO CONSUMER ACCELERATED, VEHICLE HESITATED FOR A MOMENT AND THEN TOOK OFF, CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT A RAPID RATE, CONSUMER KEPT FOOT ON BRAKE SLOWING VEHICLE, CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF, BRAKES WERE SO HOT THAT FLA…

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WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, VEHICLE BEGAN SLOWING SO CONSUMER ACCELERATED, VEHICLE HESITATED FOR A MOMENT AND THEN TOOK OFF, CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT A RAPID RATE, CONSUMER KEPT FOOT ON BRAKE SLOWING VEHICLE, CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF, BRAKES WERE SO HOT THAT FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE WHEELS, CONSUMER THREW SNOW ON TIRES TO EXTINGUISH FIRE ON BOTH TIRES, BRAKE DISCS WERE GLOWING ORANGE, CONSUMER TRADED VEHICLE FOR A 2000 MODEL, HOWEVER WAS $5000 MORE AND FEELS SHE IS ENTITLED TO SOME COMPENSATION. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #881395

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY I PULLED UP TO THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR AND AS I PULLED TO WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE DOOR I PUT THE BRAKES ON BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS BASICALLY AT IDLE SPEED BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR AT WHICH TIME I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID PROCEEDING THROUGH THE HOUSE. PLE…

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AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY I PULLED UP TO THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR AND AS I PULLED TO WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE DOOR I PUT THE BRAKES ON BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS BASICALLY AT IDLE SPEED BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR AT WHICH TIME I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID PROCEEDING THROUGH THE HOUSE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH OTHER CARS, I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE THEN AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #730107

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN REAR BRAKES GETS DAMP BACK WHEELS WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS NORMAL. *AK THE DEALER STATES THAT THE RUBBING AND THE GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM REAR BRAKE IS CAUSED BY BRAKE DUST. *YH

NHTSA ODI #865931

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH RECALL PROCEDURE AND REPAIR (99V-170), DEALERSHIP PROBLEM. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #551308

Official recalls

3

04V375000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 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.

99V356000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

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.

99V170000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.