Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Buick Century owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Dt: the consumer owns a 1999 Buick Century. He states that six months after he purchased the vehicle he took the vehicle in for a recall on the headlights. While the vehicle was there they maintenance the vehicle and found that the gas filler pipe had deteriorated and the cooling system intake was leaking coolant. This vehicle only has about 50,000 miles. Both front lower control arm bushings had blown out and they had to be replaced also. Wyoming valley motors po box 1308 kingston, pa 18704-0308. He has spoken with GM they told him they would get back with him in a couple of days and they did not contact him back. He is not available until after 4:30. They told him the gas filler pipe was normal for the vehicle. He seen a article that said they had been having this problem with year for the cooling system. They also said the bushings was normal wear on a car also. …
When to court on 11/12/13. Was told if I did not take the car I would get charged storage. Went to the garage were the car was. At the court house was told car needs rotors. They took the car out of the garage and parked it running. I got in it stepped on the pedal and it went down on the floor with the brake light on. Had to get the car out so I got it to my home. Beside structural damage from rocker panel filled with spray foam no brakes. You take corners and the car bangs from the frame moving. This car is suppose to have 39000 miles on it. The steering wheel is worn out and the struts bang and bounce. This car is now sitting in my yard. I would like a dot person check this car for true mileage. I ran my own garage and did state inspections and I really think some one altered the mileage. My inspection number was 1495 back in April 2000.. Updated 11-25-13
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.
Passenger airbag light on--means airbag will not/May not deploy if in an auto accident. Dealer sharpe Buick replaced module approx 3 times but problem still exists. I was told that airbag light had to stay on constant before they could do anything, light is always on and problem was still not resolved. Also antifreeze leaking due to leaking lower intake gasket which has been leaking for years also taken to sharpe Buick several times they didn't see a problem even when there was a smell at the dealership. Also the instrument panel cluster was replaced it starting dimming and finally went black. I have recently paid for these repairs. Car came with manufacturer warranty when I purchased the car and I also purchased an extension on the manufacturer warranty from the car dealer sief Chevy/Buick in hastings mi where I purchased the car.
Driving down road one day when car overheated. One mechanic replaced thermostat but continued to do same. Took to another facility who ran diagnostic test and was told that it was the r & r intake manifold gasket. Car is a 1999 Buick Century with only 46,191 miles. Have been told the cost to fix problem is approx. $700. With all of the other identical problems of other owners why hasn't something been done with this problem? Consumer should not have to foot the bill for GM's defective parts. There is obviously something wrong with the engine design. Had a Buick regal before this and it is still running with over 195,000 miles. No engine cooling system problem with it.
Cooling system defect in 1999 Buick Century. Cooling system is being containminated by brown substance in system, causing the system to overheat. Reported to dealer three times. They have a TSB out on this, but no clue on what is causing this. They have inspected the vehicle three times, flushed the system, and replaced the radiator cap, but problem reccurs. Now it is going in for the fouth time. Problem was not corrected under original warranty, now the extended warranty that I purchased is about to run out, yet having the same problem. If they have a TSB out on this, why can't they fix the problem once and forever?
1999 Buick Century began using dex-cool and overheating. Also heater would blow cold indicating coolant was low. Car taken to dealer who said it was a leak in upper and lower intake gaskets. When asked why this happened they said that GM has had bad batches of gaskets and they are having to replace a lot of gaskets, even on 2003 models. I asked why they were charging me $403.66 to repair, since it is happening so much. They said that GM considers this gasket problem a "normal wear and tear" item just like belts, oil changes, ect! This should not be happening when the car only has 34,780 miles on it.
Intake gasket failed on 3.1 engine in a 1999 Buick Century. This engine has less than 55,000 miles on it at the time of failure. It appears as if there are many other complaints for the same issue and the manufacturer denies that there was faulty workmanship involved. Estimated cost of repair $700.00 also same car with less than 20,000 miles the bolt holding the left front caliper fell off while traveling down the road with my daughter driving (drivers permit) and locked up the left front wheel damaging the rim. Cost of repair $350.00.
Engine complaints in other Century years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Buick Century?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Buick Century, 26% of the model year's 235 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Buick Century engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Buick Century, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Buick Century engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.