1999 Buick Century
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 61 of 235 complaints (26%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (13) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 218 in 1998 to 235 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 27 | 17 / 26 | 18 / 27 | 18 / 26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 423 | 423 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 218 | 235 | 193 | 145 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 18 | 11 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 18 | 11 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Century have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Buick Century?
Engine: 61 of 235 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Buick Century get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Buick Century?
EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.1L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 61 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 30 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 20 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 14 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 54 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
STEERING · Campaign 09E005000 · Feb 17, 2009
Defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 04V375000 · Aug 11, 2004
Defect: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 99V356000 · Jan 10, 2000
Defect: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · Campaign 99V170000 · Jul 13, 1999
Defect: 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.