RoadVitals

1999 Buick Century Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Feb 4, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 235 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Buick Century submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 4, 2018

DEC 17,1999 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERN990093 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER99V356 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE SUMMARY 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.

NHTSA ID
11066889
Incident
Feb 4, 2018
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 25, 2017

1) NEED HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR A KNOWN RECALL. 2) EVERY DOOR WINDOW MOTOR IN THE BUICK FAILED ON EACH WINDOW PREVENTING THE WINDOWS FROM LOWERING IF IN THE UP POSITION OR PREVENTED THE WINDOWS FROM RAISING IF IN A LOWERED POSITION. THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE DUCT TAPED SHUT IN ORDER TO PREVENT RAIN FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE CAB AND THE FAILURES HAPPENED OVER 2015 TO 2016 AND EACH HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW MOTORS. THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF BUICK OWNERS ACROSS THE INTERNET COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT I DON'T BELIEVE BUICK EVER ISSUED A RECALL BUT I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE. IF THIS ISN'T A RECALL, IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS KNOWN FAILURE. THE CLOSEST BUICK DEALER TO US IS SAM LEMAN CHEVROLET BUICK, 1040 WEST CENTER ST., EUREKA, IL. 309-467-2351.

NHTSA ID
11039787
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Mileage
50,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 5, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THEM BACK ON BUT THEY WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,248. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10542136
Incident
Aug 30, 2013
Mileage
122,248 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 19, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10366877
Incident
Jul 13, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 14, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10355449
Incident
Sep 10, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 25, 2008

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.

NHTSA ID
10222248
Incident
Feb 15, 2008
Mileage
125,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 12, 2006

CONSUMER 1999 CENTURY TURN SIGNAL AND PARK LIGHT BURNS THE BULB CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY CHANGE THE LIGHT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE SOCKET OVERHEATED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10161550
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 2, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD LIGHT AIMING DEVICE ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V356000, REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, IT IS STILL HAVING THE TYPE OF PROBLEMS AS BEFORE THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES CONCERNING THE HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10149305
Incident
Jan 9, 2003
Mileage
56,615 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 16, 2004

CONSUMER STATED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME DIMMER THAN BEFORE THE REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10104973
Incident
Oct 12, 2004
Mileage
570,004 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 7, 2004

HEADLIGHTS WERE REPAIRED. CONSUMER STATED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS THE HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10103282
Incident
Nov 22, 2004
Mileage
80,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 3, 2004

AFTER HAVING THE LOW BEAM RECALL DONE THE LOW BEAMS ARE EVEN WORSE THEN WHEN I STARTED. THE RECALL BULBS ARE LESS AFFECTIVE THEN THE ORIGIONALS WITCH ARE NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT. HI BEAMS ARE NOT AFFECTED. I WILL BE REPLACING WITH AFTER MARKET TYPE BULBS ON MY OWN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10098196
Incident
Oct 31, 2004
Mileage
70,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 14, 2004

WHILE DRIVING DURING NIGHT HOURS, IT WAS HARD DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE BECAUSE THE HEAD LIGHT LENS COVERS WERE NOT CLEAR. DETERMINED. *JB THE HEADLIGHTS HAD MOISTURE INSIDE THEM. ONCE THE MOISTURE EVAPORATED THE HEADLAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10087792
Incident
Jul 10, 2002
Mileage
24,300 mi
Body & structureInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed May 31, 2004

CHILD DOOR ELECTRIC LOCK ROCK SWITCH BROKE RETAINER CLIPS. UNABLE TO LOCK OUT REAR DOORS. HIGH BEAM SWITCH CLICKER BROKEN. NOT ABLE TO KEEP HIGH BEAMS ON WITHOUT HOLDING FLASH LEVER UP. BODY TO TRUNK LID TAIL LIGHT WIRING HARNESS BROKEN WIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10074566
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 10, 2003

NHTSA# 99-V-356-000 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. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10026988
Incident
Jul 10, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 20, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAS HEADLIGHT SENSORS WHICH AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON LIGHTS WHEN IT BECOMES DUSK. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS INTERMITTENLY CUT THEMSELVES ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUAL HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. CONSUMER CONTACT MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THAT MANUAL SWITCH WILL NOT OVERRIDE LIGHT SENSOR. TS

NHTSA ID
8023037
Incident
Nov 18, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed May 28, 2002

OWNER IS HAVING DIFFICULTIES DRIVING AT NIGHT DUE TO PROBLEMS OF HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATING AT IMPROPER ANGLE AS NOTED BY RECALL 01V286000.; NO SERVICE BY DEALERSHIP WAS BEING RENDERED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010504
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 28, 2002

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THE GEAR SELECTOR LIGHT COMES ON BUT WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND STAYS OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. CAN'T SEE WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENLY. DEALER CONTACTED PLEASE ADD VIN#. NLM

NHTSA ID
8006596
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 7, 2001

MOISTURE IS ENTERING RIGHT HEADLIGHT, CAUSING MOISTURE BUILD UP ON LENS. THUS, REDUCING VISIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
882379
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 12, 2000

RECEIVED NOTICE 99V356000 & CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS OF HEADLIGHTS. AFTERWARDS, HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. RECALL REMEDY HAD FAILED. CONTACTED &ANDSPOKE TO TAMMY & ROB AT GMC, BUT THEY WERE OF NO HELP. *AK

NHTSA ID
876398
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 11, 2000

THE RECALL REPAIR (99V-356) DID NOT RECTIFY THE HEAD LIGHT ILLUMINATION PROBLEM, CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH VISIBILITY. *MJS

NHTSA ID
553756
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2000

MY HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE. THEY HAVE TOO NARROW A BEAM, ESPECIALLY IN THE VERTICAL AXIS. *AK

NHTSA ID
721130
Incident
Feb 10, 1999
Body & structureExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Feb 8, 2000

LIGHTS ARE TOO DIM TO DRIVE AT NIGHT GOING 55 MPH. *MJS

NHTSA ID
9000870
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 21, 2000

HORN IS DIFFICULT TO SOUND AND SOMETIMES THE FIRST ATTEMPT FAILS, DESIGN FLAW. *MJS

NHTSA ID
550520
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 9, 1999

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE YELLOW/AMBER IN COLOR CAUSING CONFUSION WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
543804

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .