Owners filed 235 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has been recalled 5 times.
When it fails
05650056,500 milesMedian miles at failure
101 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
15
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
14
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
14
0
1
0
Vehicle Speed Control
11
3
1
1
Unknown or Other
11
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
11
2
0
1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
10
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
9
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
8
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield
7
0
0
0
5 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Steering09E005000
Filed Feb 17, 2009979 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.
Defect. DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Risk. A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi
Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights04V375000
Filed Aug 10, 2004199,793 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights99V356000
Filed Dec 17, 1999411,880 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip99V170000
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 4, 2018IN
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.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 27, 2017106,000 milesFL
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.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 25, 201750,000 milesIL
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.
Steering
Filed Oct 10, 2017200,000 milesFL
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE MAKING A TURN
Steering
Filed Mar 22, 2017125,000 milesMI
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.
Tires
Filed May 23, 201635,084 milesWI
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.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 20, 201588,988 milesCA
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.
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 3, 201566,543 milesCA
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
Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jun 24, 201571,803 milesAR
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.
Engine
Filed May 25, 201578,000 milesMN
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.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 2, 2015OH
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.
Engine
Filed Aug 25, 201498,400 milesPA
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
Electrical System
Filed May 26, 2014150 milesFL
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.
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 15, 201339,847 milesNH
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
Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 5, 2013122,248 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THEM BACK ON BUT THEY WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,248. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine
Filed Aug 9, 2013137,549 milesID
AS THE 3RD OWNER OF A 1999 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED I DID A THOROUGH SEARCH OF CARS HISTORY AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS UNTIL TODAY 8 9 2013 WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR RADIATOR HOSE CHANGE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH AND OIL CHANGE WHICH LATER WAS TOLD ALLTHEY COULD DO WAS THE TRANNY FLUSH BECAUSE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK WHICH IM HEARING IS A HUGE 3.1 GM ENGINE PROBLEM. UPPON CALLING THE FORMER OWNER SHE INFORMED ME THAT AT 50,000 IT WAS REPLACED AND AGAIN AT 108,765 MILES. IT NOW HAS 137549 MILES AND IY HAS AGAIN TAKEN A DUMP I HEAR A COOLANT TYPE CONVERSION CAN HELP MY $700.00 PROBLEM. IM OUTRAGED THAT A CAR IN THIS GOOD OF CARE IS A BIG DISASTER. RECALL IS NEEDED & I SHOULDA KEPT MY 92 CENTURY WITH THE 3.3 V6 IT HAD 374,988 MILES AT TRADE IN & STILL RAN AWESOME:{ IM SO UNHAPPY WITH THIS CAR I AM READY TO FIX IT AND TRADE IT OFF FOR A FORD LOL. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed May 22, 201362,000 milesWI
WAS DRIVING WITH MY 2 YOUNG BOYS, NEEDED TO STOP AND THE BRAKES BECAME VERY SPONGY. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND A BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 12, 2012MN
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 JUS
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 13, 2012AL
CPSC# I1280196A. 1999 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER GOT AN ENGINE FOR HIS CAR. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VERY DAY HE PURCHASED THE ENGINE AND HAD IT INSTALLED, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE EGR VALVE. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE EGR VALVE. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE TECHNICIAN WHO INSTALLED THE ENGINE, STATED THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE DAMAGED. *JB
Steering
Filed May 21, 2011150 milesNJ
VEHICLE HAS 150,000 MILES. SUDDENLY THE CAR HAS DIFFICULTY MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. NOW WHEN TURNING LEFT THE POWER ASSIST FAILS, AND IT FEELS AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED UP, BUT YOU CAN FORCE THE WHEEL FURTHER LEFT IF YOU TRY, BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO DO. IF YOU AREN'T PREPARED FOR IT YOU COULD EASILY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. BUT SOMETIME AS YOU FORCE THE WHEEL LEFT, THE RESISTANCE WILL SUDDENLY DISAPPEAR AND THE CAR WILL JERK TO THE LEFT. TURNING RIGHT IMMEDIATELY RETURNS NORMAL POWER ASSIST, UNTIL A LEFT TURN IS ATTEMPTED. NO FLUID IS LEAKING. *TR
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Feb 17, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.