Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Buick Century. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP BULBS
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
GM/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
GM/ABS MOTOR SHORT
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (235)
235 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 55 | 23.4% |
| Service brakes | 29 | 12.3% |
| Visibility | 29 | 12.3% |
| Exterior lighting | 24 | 10.2% |
| Air bags | 15 | 6.4% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 6.4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 6% |
| Steering | 13 | 5.5% |
| Unknown or other | 13 | 5.5% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 4.7% |
How 1999 compares with other Century years
Best and worst Century years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 99 | 1 |
| 1996 | 80 | 1 |
| 1997 | 106 | 2 |
| 1998 | 218 | 2 |
| 1999 | 235 | 3 |
| 2000 | 193 | 5 |
| 2001 | 145 | 3 |
| 2002 | 154 | 0 |
| 2003 | 127 | 0 |
| 2004 | 39 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1999 Century for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1999 Buick Century FAQ
How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Century have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 04V375000 (lighting), 99V356000 (lighting), 99V170000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1999 Buick Century problems?
Owners filed 235 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (55), Service brakes (29), Visibility (29) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1999 Buick Century get?
EPA rates the 3.1 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 17 city, 26 highway and 21 combined mpg.
How does the 1999 Century compare with other years?
Among the 1995–2004 Buick Century model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (39) and the 1999 the most (235). The 1999 drew 235. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.