Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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.
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?
Window regulator failure. This is my second complaint about this issue. The last of four windows regulators has failed in a year''s time. A plastic or nylon clip that holds the two cable ends becomes brittle and gives way. The window then is unsupported and falls to the bottom of the track. First the drive window failed. This in my opinion is a safety and security hazard and the driver is then exposed to the elements, cold, rain, etc. The same goes for passengers. The passenger window failed within months after, followed by the rear left window and now the rear right window. This window regulator is common across all GM models in this chassis type.
Window regulators, in this last twelve months, the driver, passenger and today rear passenger window regulators have failed. A nylon clip holds the two ends of the cabling. The part breaks, then window drop to the down position. The entire window regulator assembly must be replaced. In my opinion, this is a safety & security related issues as the driver is then exposed to the elements or distracted by the passengers who are exposed. The elements being cold, rains, sleet, wind, etc. The vehicle can not be secured with the window down. The part that fails needs to be strengthened and of made of metal.
Bought this car new. Have had intermittent problems with electric windows not operating. In June, drivers window fell down and would not close. Mechanic replaced entire window mechanism. Three weeks later left rear window begin to fall while driving. Drove to dealership where mechanic taped window up and he said this had been a problem but thought it was with all makes/models not just Buick. The original repair on front window was $440. To repair rear window would be the same. My husband has disconnected switch and temporary fixed window up. Now the remaining two windows seldom operate.
Rear power window failed while in heavy traffic. Window control was pushed by accident and when pushed again to bring window back up, a loud "popping" noise was heard and window refused to stay up. Service dept. At dealer determined a new regulator was needed. This is the third time power windows have been replaced on this vehicle, as both rear windows failed while car was still under warranty. Vehicle very rarely has any backseat passengers, so these windows get very little to no routine use.
Interior rear-view mirror has developed some kind of dark brown oil leak inside the (auto-dimming) mirror. It has decreased visibility in the mirror to nearly zero. It is very dangerous to drive with this mirror since it is essentially like having no rear-view mirror. Just today I had two or three near-incidents on roads I never had a problems while driving other cars which have functioning rear-view mirrors.
All the power windows will not work. I had the driver's window repaired at a cost of $325.00. It worked for about one year, and now sometimes it will roll down. Most certainly there was a problem with these windows. The other windows were occasionally used, so I know that they were not worn out. I am not going to pay to get them fixed because I don't use them. Why has this not been recalled?
Consumer discovered cracks in the sidewall of the tires due to them being dry rotted, all 4 tires were replaced. The upper strut mount was lubricated, the blower resistor in the air condition was replaced, the carpet was replaced, and there was a wind noise coming from the driver side window.ts
The right front window's is inop.. Replaced broken regulator cables. I would have just excepted this normal on day of repair,aug 29 2007, but the left rear side window became inop. On jan 3 2008 and on jan 21 2008 the right rear side window became inop.(both with the same symptoms.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Century years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1999 Buick Century?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1999 Buick Century, 12% of the model year's 235 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Buick Century window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 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.