Buick Century Complaints (1999)

235 consumer complaints on file.

#10392903March 25, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED MARCH 17, 2010. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,528.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366877November 19, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BULBS KEEP BLOWING, SOCKETS KEEP MELTING, TURN SIGNALS THAT DON'T WORK, SLOPPY STEERING. DEWEY GRIFFITH IN BELLINGHAM WA. HAS NEVER TOLD US OF A RECALL OR WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS. ! WANT SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION. THE WORST INCIDENT WAS IN JULY 6, 2006 WHEN 6 LIGHTS HAD TO BE FIXED. AS OF 11-18-2010 WE HAVE MORE AND ANOTHER SOCKET THAT IS MELTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358599October 1, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILURE, FRONT BRAKE LINE CORROSION (RUST THROUGH) RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT RESULTED. CORRECTION REQUIRED NEW BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF LOST FLUID, ETC THIS FAILURE IS THE SAME TYPE WHICH OCCURRED TO OUR 2000 BUICK CENTURY. IN THAT CAR FIRST THE FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED (LIKE THE 1999 DID), AND ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED WITH THE SAME CORROSION PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED OUT OF STATE AND THE REPAIR SHOP MANAGER STATED "THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT HE HAS REPLACED MANY FAILED BRAKE LINES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355449September 14, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PROBLEM WITH EXTERIOR LIGHTING ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. TURN SIGNAL BLINKS RAPIDLY SOMETIMES EVEN AFTER CHANGING OUT BULB. HEADLIGHT IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME TRICK. IF YOU GET OUT AND PLAY WITH EITHER YOU CAN USUALLY GET IT WORKING AGAIN, BUT THIS IS NOT ALWAYS SAFE, AND CERTAINLY IS NOT CONVENIENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324766April 9, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 1999 BUICK CENTURY CORRODED, FLUID LEAKED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. FORTUNATELY, I NOTICED THE BRAKES BEGINNING TO FAIL (PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR), SO I DROVE DEFENSIVELY AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY LOCAL GARAGE AND WENT THERE DIRECTLY TO HAVE THE LINES REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE LINES HAD ROTTED THROUGH. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN AREAS THAT USE WINTER SALT, BUT HEARING OF THE RECALL OF GM TRUCKS, I NOW REALIZE THAT THIS MAY NOT BE A "NORMAL" EVENT. THE PARTS IN QUESTION ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312744February 22, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INTO THE GARAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 03/19/2010. *LJ UPDATED 07/14/10*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306590February 5, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE (1999 GM BUICK CENTURY ,120,000 MILES) ON AT LEAST 10 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THE VEHICLE ENGINE HAS STALLED AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, IT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AT 45 MPH.AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPS IT CAN BE RESTARTED. THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATORS DISPLAYED BEFORE OR AFTER. INITIALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AND THERE WERE NO CODE DIAGNOSTICS INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES. THE GAS CAP, CRANK SENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER REFLASHED. THE VEHICLE NOW MAINTAINS A CONSTANT SMALL EVAP LEAK WARNING CODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE MECHANICS CANNOT FIND ANY ASSOCIATED LEAK PROBLEM AND THE CAR DRIVES PERFECT EXCEPT FOR THE INTERMITTENT AND SUDDEN ENGINE STALL AND SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER . THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON 2 OCCASIONS SINCE THE LAST SERVICE ENCOUNTER. MY INTERNET SEARCHES INDICATE THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT FEW BUICK OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE FOR MANY YEARS. I THINK THE SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND ELECTRICAL POWER FOR STEERING, BRAKES, LIGHTS AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING WARRANTS INVESTIGATION. WHEN THIS OCCURS AT NIGHT ON THE ROAD - SUDDENLY NO ONE CAN SEE YOU STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292646November 18, 2009
VISIBILITY
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287294October 13, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINES ON 1999 BUICK CENTURY RUSTED OUT, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING. BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED IN MOST LOCATIONS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. FUEL FILLER LINE IS HEAVILY RUSTED, AS OF YET THERE IS NO LEAKING FROM THIS DEFECT. LOCATION ON LONG ISLAND NEW YORK IS NOT A HEAVILY SALTED AREA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256078January 23, 2009
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT MAKES A LEFT TURN OR A U-TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND BECOMES DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION STEERING RACK LOCKS UP WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 03/04/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246032October 19, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
IN JUNE OF 2007 THE RIGHT REAR MOTOR FOR ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. THEN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 THE LEFT REAR MOTOR FOR ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. THESE WERE BOTH REPLACED IN EARLY 2008. SHORTLY AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THESE MOTORS THE FRONT DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241425September 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238682August 18, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235050July 20, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOWS JUST STOP WORKING PROPERLY THE WILL ROLL DOWN BUT NOT BACK UP. CONTINUOUS PROBLEM I.E. EACH WINDOW FAILED OVER LIFE OF CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227007May 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BOTH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE HEATER CORE FAILED ON MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224436April 14, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222248March 25, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION IN FEBRUARY OF 2007. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOW DIM. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218760February 21, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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). IN THE SEARCH FOR MY NEXT CAR, I NOTICED THAT THE 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY AND COROLLA AS WELL AS HONDA ACCORD APPEAR TO USE "COATED" BRAKE AND GAS LINES TO PREVENT CORROSION FAILURES (COULD SEE A BLACK COATING AND NOT JUST BARE STEEL). FROM NOW ON, I WILL NEVER BUY A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT HAVE COATED LINES (OR STAINLESS STEEL). COATING THESE LINES (OR USING STAINLESS STEEL) IS SUCH AN EASY SAFETY PRECAUTION. MOST MUFFLER PIPES ARE NOW STAINLESS STEEL, SO WHY IS THE NHTSA NOT MAKING IT MANDATORY FOR MANUFACTURERS TO COAT OR USE S.S. FOR BRAKE LINES AND GAS LINES? *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200440August 22, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE LOSS WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES A SECOND TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND LOSING FLUID. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,809 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191191May 18, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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