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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.

About this comparison →

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

Visibility complaints

29 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT JUST CAUSE. CAR WAS PARKED WHEN WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THERE IS NO START OF ORIGIN OR BLEMISH TO BLAME CRACK ON ROCK, BB, ETC. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC WHO STATED LOOKED LIKE A "STRESS FRACTURE" TO HIM. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS IN CASE THERE WERE OTHER SIMILAR CASES LIKE THIS ONE. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743347

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
StructureVisibility

WINDOWS FOG UP TOO EASILY, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. 2. NO INSULATION IN FIREWALL, CAUSING LOUD ROAD NOISE , AND DISTRACTING THE DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #858553

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Visibility

THE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD IS BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW ESPECIALLY WHEN FACING SUN LIGHT. YH

NHTSA ODI #550511

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 1999
Visibility

THIS CUSTOMER WAS NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BEFORE PURCHASE. THIS CAR IS "UNSAFE " TO DRIVE. THE WHY'S ARE LISTED BELOW. MYM BASIC COMPLAINT IS THE CONSTANT ANNOYING REFLECTIONS IN THE WINDSHIELD AND EVEN MAKES IT DIFFERCULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS. SOME OF MY EXP…

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THIS CUSTOMER WAS NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BEFORE PURCHASE. THIS CAR IS "UNSAFE " TO DRIVE. THE WHY'S ARE LISTED BELOW. MYM BASIC COMPLAINT IS THE CONSTANT ANNOYING REFLECTIONS IN THE WINDSHIELD AND EVEN MAKES IT DIFFERCULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS. SOME OF MY EXPERIENCES AND EXAMPLES. STOPPING AND CROSSING A ELEVATED RAILROAD TRACKS. VERY DIFFERCULT TO DISTINGUISH A HOROZONTAL REFERENCE LINE RELATED TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND THE HOROZONTAL LINE ON THE WINDSHIELD IN THE BOTTOM THIRD OF THE WINDSHIELD RESULTING FROM THE REFLECTION OFF THE TOP OF THE LARGE DASHBOARD SURFACE. CONSTRUCTION CONES LOCATED ALONG THE SIDE OF ROADWAY, DIFERCULT TO DISTINGUISH THEIR ASSIGNED LOCATIONS. WHEN USING FULL DEPTH OF THE SUN VISOR, YOUR ONE THIRD SEE THRU AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD IS CONTAMINATED WITH THE FULL ANNOYING REFLECTIONS FROM THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD. IN NY STATE, THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION, AND THE INSPECTION CERTIFICATE MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THESE TWO STICKERS COVER A 7X3 INCH SURFACE AREA. DURING THE DAYLITE HOURS DRIVING, THE REFLECTION FROM THE 7X3 INCH STICKERS IS FURTHER ENLARGED ONTO THE CORNER OF WINDSHIELD AS A LARGE BLACK AREA, RESULTING IN FURTHER LOSS OF SAFE DRIVING WINDSHIELD VISIABILTY SEEING AREA. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716600

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THERE WOULD A MASSIVE REFLECTION FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, AFFECTING VISIBILITY AND THIS DISTRACTING DRIVER FROM THE ROAD. BEEN BACK TO LEASING CORP. & NOTHING WAS DONE OR CORRECTED. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849017

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1999
Visibility

FRONT RIGHT WINDOWS EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING DAMAGE TO EXTERIOR MIRROR. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA ODI #548233

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 1999
EquipmentPower TrainStructure

AIR DAM DEFLECTOR ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TOO LOW, IT HITS BOTTOM ON A LOT OF DIPS AND BUMPS IN THE ROAD SURFACE. MJS

NHTSA ODI #546112

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Visibility

PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER DEPOSITS WATER DIRECTLY IN THE LINE OF VISION OF THE DRIVER ON THE UP-STROKE, TEMPORARILY BLOCKING DRIVERS VISION DURING MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINSTORM UNTIL THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER CLEARS THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON ITS DOWNSTROKE.DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE BY DEALER TO C…

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PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER DEPOSITS WATER DIRECTLY IN THE LINE OF VISION OF THE DRIVER ON THE UP-STROKE, TEMPORARILY BLOCKING DRIVERS VISION DURING MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINSTORM UNTIL THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER CLEARS THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON ITS DOWNSTROKE.DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE BY DEALER TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS WORSE FOR TALLER DRIVERS DUE TO THE ANGLE AT WHICH THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER STOPS ON THE UP-STROKE. I AM SIX FEET THREE INCHES TALL AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER STOPS DIRECTLY IN THE CENTER OF MY LINE OF SIGHT, FORCING ME TO LEAN TO THE LEFT SUBSTANTIALLY DURING A MODERATE OR HEAVIER STORM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #704816

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 1999
Visibility

DESIGN PLACEMENT OF VENT BEHIND SHIFTING HANDLE BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT WHEN HEAT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #544249

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.