MYRModel Year Report

1999 Buick Century

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Buick Century
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
235
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 1999 235 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 1999 235 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2001 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2003 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1986 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1988 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1994 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1998 1999: 235 complaints 1999 235 2000: 193 complaints 2000 2001: 145 complaints 2001 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2003 2004: 39 complaints 2004 2005: 19 complaints 2005

1999: 235 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19848
19857
198622
198728
198816
198941
199033
199139
199245
199354
1994117
199599
199680
1997106
1998218
1999235
2000193
2001145
2002154
2003127
200439
200519

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

25% · 58 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE

Visibility

12% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

Service brakes

12% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

10% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and high/low beam dimmer switch.

Show complaint excerpts

Dec 17,1999 manufacturer recall NUMBERN990093 NHTSA recall NUMBER99V356 recall statusrecall incomplete summary these vehicles do not conform to the requirements of FMVSS no.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-04

Air bags

6% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-02

While driving 40 MPH, another vehicle caused the vehicle to run off the road. The vehicle hit a tree yet the front air bags did not deploy. The driver's head hit the windshield and the windshield shattered.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-19

Consumer's vehicle swerved to miss a deer and ran off the road. Front end was smashed in about 2 feet. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained some bruises.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-27

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 235 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1999-08-25Service brakes, hydraulic99V170000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a ground cable from the electronic brake control module (Ebcm) to the engine compartment body rail.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2000-07-20Exterior lighting99V356000 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…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2004-09-08Exterior lighting04V375000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 58 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V170000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 99V356000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 04V375000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1999 Buick Century reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Buick Century is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Buick Century?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Century have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.