Dec 17,1999 manufacturer recall numbern990093 the federal safety agency 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.
The worst 1999 Buick Century problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine61
- Visibility30
- Brakes29
- Lights24
- Airbags15
- Electrical15
- Acceleration14
- Steering13
- Fuel system11
- Transmission11
- Suspension10
- Body9
- Tires8
- Seat belts5
- Seats3
- Driver assistance2
- Locks1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Buick Century
Headlights 20Overheating 13Check engine light 9Power windows 9No deployment 8Brake failure 6ABS 5Stalling 5Sudden acceleration 5
Recalls 3
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 04V375000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 99V356000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 99V170000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Buick Century 98
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- This informational bulletin provides information on wheel bearing P/N 13582664 being received new with...
- Power train
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
- Power train
- Refinishing Aluminum Wheels
1999 Buick Century fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 26 | 21 |
What 1999 Buick Century owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 wheel locks up while making a turn
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Compare the 1999 Buick Century
Other model years
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Questions about the 1999 Buick Century
Is the 1999 Buick Century reliable?
Owners have filed 235 complaints about the 1999 Buick Century, 1.9 times a typical Century model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Buick Century?
Engine and cooling, with 61 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles. Next is visibility (30).
How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Century have?
3 recalls, covering exterior lighting and service brakes, hydraulic.
What year does the Buick Century have bad engine?
The Buick Century model years with the most engine complaints are 1999 (61 complaints), 2002 (33 complaints) and 2001 (31 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Buick Century get?
Official estimates for the 1999 Buick Century range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.1L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 26 highway.
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