Most common 1999 Buick Century problems
Share of the 235 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Century complaints by model year
Best Century years: 2005, 2004, 1996. Years to avoid: 1999, 1998, 2000. Compare all years →
1999 Buick Century recalls (3)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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 slip
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.
What 1999 Buick Century owners say
Engine & cooling all 61 →
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.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Buick Century. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the temperature gauge increased and the contact began to smell burning antifreeze. The contact parked the vehicle and a mechanic stated that the intake gasket was leaking coolant and needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 54,310.
Brakes all 29 →
Corrosion (rust through/failure) of front/right metal brake line in 1999 Buick Century (9 yr old car, 96K miles). The brake pedal became very mushy and went to the floor and there was an obvious leak of brake fluid onto the ground. The repair shop says it was caused by corrosion/rust through. The brake line ruptured at some time during my maneuver to avoid a collision, but I didn't notice it until after the incident, so I don't believe that it contributed to the very minor contact caused by the other vehicle entering my lane without warning, but I will check the "crash" box below because brake line failure happened some time during a very minor crash (touching of two cars). …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Buick Century. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH when the check engine and track off warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to a local mechanic where the contact was advised that the ABS sensor and other wires were bound by electrical tape and the fuel and brake lines were corroded. In addition, there were missing plugs which prevented water from entering the vehicle on both the driver and passenger sides. Both the brake line and the transmission were leaking fluids. There was a hole in the front sub frame and the fuel filler neck was corroded. The contact also stated that part of the exhaust hanger was missing and the remaining parts were corroded. The mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle would be far too costly to perform any repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 28 →
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.
1999 Buick Century. Have had to replace power windows 6 different times on 2 windows. Left front power window motor twice. Have had to replace right rear power window motor twice plus the regulator. The right rear power window has gone again and this will be the third time. I have tire plus do the left front window and the dealer working on the right rear. The dealer states there is only a 12,000 or one year warranty so I have to keep paying for these repairs every one to two years. One mechanic said the part was rusting. That indicates water but why can't they fix the problem with the water causing them to rust rather than me paying $300 each time when the motor finally rusts out?
1999 Buick Century engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Buick Century a good car?
Based on 235 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Century rates avoid: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Century at the same age. It is one of the Century years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Buick Century?
The engine & cooling — 61 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the brakes (29) and windows, wipers & sunroof (28).
How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Century have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1999 Buick Century, the most recent from August 10, 2004 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Century?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2004 and 1996. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 1998 and 2000. See the full Buick Century years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Buick Century problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 57,000 miles; 37% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.