Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 Buick Century

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 287 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V375000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
199,793
Reported to NHTSA
2004-08-10
Owners notified
2004-09-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

LESS ILLUMINATION MAY REDUCE THE ABILITY OF THE DRIVER TO READ OVERHEAD SIGNS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V356000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
411,880
Reported to NHTSA
1999-12-17
Owners notified
2000-07-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V170000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
168,559
Reported to NHTSA
1999-07-09
Owners notified
1999-08-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CABLE FROM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (EBCM) TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BODY RAIL.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling1744,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1580,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1566,000 mi
Unknown or other1430,053 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1325 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1254,189 mi
Vehicle speed control1288,988 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1042,419 mi
Visibility: windshield9—
Engine and engine cooling: engine863,000 mi
Air bags723,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7—
Exterior lighting760,000 mi
Steering738,000 mi
Air bags: frontal629,000 mi
Electrical system650,000 mi
Electrical system: horn689,000 mi
Engine688,988 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic656,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission556,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings454,189 mi
Tires435,084 mi
Tires: sidewall449,011 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint3—
Structure356,500 mi
Structure: body3—
Suspension339,847 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2111,200 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2150 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner224,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch270,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Power train238,920 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Service brakes239,847 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings253,500 mi
Steering: rack and pinion275,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing211,700 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator138,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Fuel system, gasoline156,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump131,500 mi
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: delivery1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator143,995 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: rear/other1100,200 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light154,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve138,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper152,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings196,863 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump112,430 mi
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment122,391 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: control arm154,189 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut124,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar160,000 mi
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Suspension: rear1—
Visibility1100,000 mi
Visibility/wiper178,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear124,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.