IllustrationCONSUMER STATES THAT HORN IS NOT LOUD ENOUGH, AND THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER. .DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THEY COULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE THE AIR BAG IS ALSO UNDER THE WHEEL. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Century years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
2625–50K
3250–75K
1575–100K
14100–150K
3150K+
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
What owners actually said
235 reportsWHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN "DRIVE" THE VEHICLE WILL RAPIDLY ROLL BACKWARD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BRAKE IS RELEASED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT ALL OF THE NEW BUICKS WILL ROLL BACK WHILE IN DRIVE AND ON AN INCLINE WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKE AND DOES NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY ACCELER…
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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN "DRIVE" THE VEHICLE WILL RAPIDLY ROLL BACKWARD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BRAKE IS RELEASED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT ALL OF THE NEW BUICKS WILL ROLL BACK WHILE IN DRIVE AND ON AN INCLINE WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKE AND DOES NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DEMONSTRATED WITH A VEHICLE OFF OF THE LOT THAT OTHER BUICK CENTURY VEHICLES ALSO RAPIDLY ROLL BACKWARD. THIS ROLL BACK HAS ALSO OCCURRED AT A RISE FOR A RAILROAD CROSSING AND IN THE PARKING LOT NEAR MY PLACE OF BUSINESS. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION AND TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. NO WARNING OF THE RAPID ROLL BACK PROBLEM IS PRESENT IN THE LITERATURE CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. A SAFETY WARNING NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S INFORMATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE GRADENT LEVEL AT WHICH THE CONSUMER WILL EXPERIENCE THE ROLL BACK SHOULD BE STATED IN THE PRODUCT INFORMATION.
THE DESIGN OF THE DASHBOARD & REAR SEAT COVER REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN COLLISION. *YC
WHEEL SENSOR FAILED CAUSING AUTO TRACK OFF AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE.
SEAT BELT DOES NOT ADJUST TO FIX CONSUMER'S SHOULDER; BELT LAYS ON HER NECK. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT CAN'T BE AJDUSTED ANY MORE. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
DESIGN OF PLASTIC DASHBOARD REFLECTS BACK INTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *YC
FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS DO NOT STAY IN RAISED POSITION WHEN USED. NLM
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
BOTH FRONT HEAD RESTS WILL NOT REMAIN RAISED WHEN THEY ARE USED. PUTTING THE HEAD BACK AGAINST THE HEAD REST CAUSES THEM TO LOWER TO THE MINIMUM POSITION. THERE WILL BE NO SUPPORT FOR REAR-END COLLISIONS. OTHER CARS IN THE LOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
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
Official recalls
304V375000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.