Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
31803180A10010868Dealers may comment on a chuggle, surge, misfire condition. *tt12/15/2004
0153301/01/200410005449Engine start and stall after fueling with no diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs). sit bulletin 1408781. *tt02/27/2004
000604049B12/01/2003000604049A10005145Some vehicles built prior to vin breakpoint 1f136536 may exhibit intermittent malfunction indicator lamp / service engine soon indicator illumination; anti-lock brake system warning light illumination; stall / no start condition; various el02/09/2004
010601002A12/01/200201060100210000782Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure. *tt03/31/2003
010601008A05/01/2002010601008634813Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak. *tt10/09/2002
01060100802/01/2001619177Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak. *tt05/17/2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
02060101404/01/2002634708Subject regarding revised lower intake manifold installation. *tt10/07/2002
000605049A03/01/2002000604049631274Subject regarding various driveability symptoms, malfunction indicator lamp illuminates intermittently, diagnostic trouble codes seat, engine will not start. *slc05/21/2002
010601010A06/01/20010106010101620810Subject regarding polymer service pistons. *tt08/30/2001
990604005A04/01/2001990604005619360Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt05/24/2001
99060400502/01/1999776304A604343Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire. *tt04/26/1999
9805910/01/1998602745Subject on engine misfire - inspect/ replace ignition control module. *yc01/11/1999

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
08/29/200854310
 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.
11/24/2005400001
 Both the intake manifold and the heater core failed on my car. *tr
01/14/200736000110/15/2006
 Notice coolant is leaking around the intake manifold area on 3.1l v6 engine of my 1999 buick century. local mechanic said it was a common problem with this engine. dealer is asking approximately $900.00 to repair this problem. this should be a recall on this engine if this is a frequent problem. a good engine should not failed like this in my opinion. this is not a normal wear and tear of the engine, but poor engineering of the engine. dealer should pay for this problem. *jb
09/29/200632868103/03/1999
 Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was at the dealership for a routine brake check, it was noticed that antifreeze had leaked into the engine. the mechanic informed the contact there were many people with this problem. the contact stated there were no problems with the vehicle prior to the incident.
08/25/200552800106/14/2001
 Intake gasket failed on 3.1 engine in a 1999 buick century. this engine has less than 55,000 miles on it at the time of failure. it appears as if there are many other complaints for the same issue and the manufacturer denies that there was faulty workmanship involved. estimated cost of repair $700.00 also same car with less than 20,000 miles the bolt holding the left front caliper fell off while traveling down the road with my daughter driving (drivers permit) and locked up the left front wheel damaging the rim. cost of repair $350.00. *jb
01/10/200544000103/12/2004
 The intake manifold was leaking antifreeze, which could cause the vehicle to overheat. manufacturer was contacted by consumer.*ak the engine locked up due to loss of coolant. the water pump started leaking at the shaft seal with less than 43000 miles on the vehicle. a dirty, oily substance was noticed in the radiator neck. *tc
06/22/2004518871
 1999 buick century developed a rough idle right after start up. then check engine light comes on. *bf nar *jls the problem restricted the fuel injectors. the service engine soon light would flash and after some driving, it would reset itself and run okay until the next cold start cycle repeats itself. *sc
11/05/200446150109/01/2004
 Driving down road one day when car overheated. one mechanic replaced thermostat but continued to do same. took to another facility who ran diagnostic test and was told that it was the r & r intake manifold gasket. car is a 1999 buick century with only 46,191 miles. have been told the cost to fix problem is approx. $700. with all of the other identical problems of other owners why hasn't something been done with this problem? consumer should not have to foot the bill for gm's defective parts. there is obviously something wrong with the engine design. had a buick regal before this and it is still running with over 195,000 miles. no engine cooling system problem with it. *jb
08/10/20043000010
 While driving at low speeds a squeaking noise was produced. *ak
01/15/20030
 Loosing coolant. no external leaks can be found. from the information i have read, we probably have an intake manifold gasket problem.
04/06/2004
 Consumer had difficulities trying to stop vehicle. in the process she rain into the back of another vehicle. vehicle's brake equipment did not respond when driver depressed the brake pedal.*mr
1
 Fax fm william a. araneo (nj) request reimbursement for repairs related to a recall of the intake manifold on his buick automobile. *mr *scc *jb
12/04/200259000106/28/2000
 My complaint is on my 1999 buick century. december of 2002 i took my car to my mechanic because it was leaking dex-cool coolant. my mechanic informed me it was the intake manifold gasket and it would cost around $440.00. my car only had 59,000 miles on it and was only three years old. this shouldn't have happened. very poor job of quality in this area by general motors/. *jb
01/10/200392000110/18/2003
 Intake manifold gasket (lower) failure
11/17/2002
 Consumer states that coolant leaked and spewed all over the top of engine causing major engine failure. ts
2
 Car would not start, engine froze up in the garage, the tempature is never 60, put dry gas in tank and after car warmed up it cranked. also the horn is hard to locate in an emergency event.
3
 While air conditioning was on consumer noticed fumes inside of vehicle. temperature gauge was repaired three times. air scoop to cool engine scrapes ground, also lets fumes and heat from engine in car. *ak *ml
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
09/20/2002290001
 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
01/29/2007115000204/10/1999
 Second failure of intake manifold gasket on 1999 buick century 3.1 m engine. causes anti freeze to leak from manifold which could cause a fire (as stated in owners manual, warning not to spill anti-freeze on a hot engine when filling radiator as it could cause a fire). first failure occurred at 72,000 miles. second failure at 115,000 miles. *jb
01/04/200641021109/12/2001
 Failure of cooling system, engine intake manifold gasket. vehicle is 1999 buick century with only 41000 original miles. engine oil leaked into cooling radiator. *nm
06/07/200554189311/01/2004
 Dt: the consumer owns a 1999 buick century. he states that six months after he purchased the vehicle he took the vehicle in for a recall on the headlights. while the vehicle was there they maintenance the vehicle and found that the gas filler pipe had deteriorated and the cooling system intake was leaking coolant. this vehicle only has about 50,000 miles. both front lower control arm bushings had blown out and they had to be replaced also. wyoming valley motors po box 1308 kingston, pa 18704-0308. he has spoken with gm they told him they would get back with him in a couple of days and they did not contact him back. he is not available until after 4:30. they told him the gas filler pipe was normal for the vehicle. he seen a article that said they had been having this problem with year for the cooling system. they also said the bushings was normal wear on a car also. he did go onto carfax and it did not indicate any time of problems with the vehicle. *jb *nm
10/10/2002103/02/1999
 Vehicle started to run a little lot in october 2002. vehicle was brought to mechanic shop since we where out of the three year warranty by about 6 months. upon checking the contents of the radiator, a brown sludge was noted inside. per service bulletin # 00-06-02-004 the mechanic flushed the system and replaced the radiator cap. two weeks later, the same sludge was starting to appear in the radiator. mechanic suggested that we bring it to the dealer since it was probably a gasket leak. vehicle was brought to crown buick. they diagnosed the problem as a leaking lower gasket and the air was getting into the system causing the sludge. they changed the lower gasket and due to the service person quoting us a wrong price on the cost f the repair this was completed for $ two weeks later, the oil pan gasket was diagnosed as leaking. this repair cost $ it amazed us that two weeks after crown worked on our vehicle the oil pan gasket starts to leak. both gaskets leak and cause problem within 6 month's of our year warranty expiring even though we were under the 36,000 mile warranty. it is obvious inferior workmanship on buick' s apart to have two gaskets leak and cause expensive repairs to the owner of their product. since this was already evident due to the service bulletin being published, buick gems should have completed these repairs as warranty. complaints filed with buick gems and no compensation was offered. *cb
01/15/200434750105/12/1999
 1999 buick century began using dex-cool and overheating. also heater would blow cold indicating coolant was low. car taken to dealer who said it was a leak in upper and lower intake gaskets. when asked why this happened they said that gm has had bad batches of gaskets and they are having to replace a lot of gaskets, even on 2003 models. i asked why they were charging me $403.66 to repair, since it is happening so much. they said that gm considers this gasket problem a normal wear and tear item just like belts, oil changes, ect! this should not be happening when the car only has 34,780 miles on it. *cb
10/08/2003800002
 Intake manifold gasket has a leaking coolant. the car was stranded on the side of a busy divided four lane highway while waiting for a tow truck; twice. *la
08/01/200325000105/19/2000
 Cooling system full of gunk, uses dex*cool. overheating, leaking coolant, constantly refilling. mechanic advised dex-cool is the problem, as deteriorates gaskets. replaced intake manifold gasket for $650. if problem continues, may need to replace head gasket as well. problem is this is the recommended coolant for this car. have spent much money flushing and refilling system, before finding out that the coolant is the problem.*ak
05/27/200363117110/01/1999
 The vehicle overheated because one of the engine gaskets became unsealed and leaked coolant. this failure was not recalled because the manufacturer didn't see the problem as a safety issue. *ak *cb *nlm
05/10/2002202/01/1999
 Vehicle was overheating while driving. was taken to a mechanic who stated that anti freeze was gunked up and radiator needed to be flushed. the consumer had a mechanic flush the radiator with the same type of fluid (dexcool) on june 15, 2002, consumer went on a trip then noticed low coolant light came on, the antifreeze was checked and it was again full of gunk, later that night the car was check and it was observed that antifreeze was leaking from the head gasket. original coolant was used, dexcool brand, the consumer believes that the dexcool antifreeze may be the problem.*ak *nlm
09/08/1999
 The air snap located underneath the vehicle which supplies air to the engine cooling system is too noisy, indicating a problem which may result in a loss of vehicle control. please provide further information. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
04/13/2004104/15/2002
 I have a 1999 buick century , i took the vehicle to have a radiator flush and was advised that i couldn't have this job performed due to a leak or crack in the intake gasket. at this time i was very surprise to see the complaints and there is no recall. this is outrageous that no one seems to care this is a very expensive repair and should not be the responsibility of the consumer to replace. this should've been done by general motors. *nm
04/20/2001
 When looking under hood noticed radiator was full of gunk. took vehicle to a mechanic, and they said this happens to all buick century vehicles. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
10/23/200663000112/01/2004
 Dt*: the contact stated the engine's intake manifold was leaking antifreeze. the non service dealer determined the top of the motor needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not taken to a service dealer
03/22/2006530001
 Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 20 mph the vehicle stalled. no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined to have a faulty cam shaft. the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced.
02/07/200552900105/16/1999
 Coolant in oil - head gasket failure -*ak
04/12/200470100405/03/1999
 Cooling system defect in 1999 buick century. cooling system is being containminated by brown substance in system, causing the system to overheat. reported to dealer three times. they have a tsb out on this, but no clue on what is causing this. they have inspected the vehicle three times, flushed the system, and replaced the radiator cap, but problem reccurs. now it is going in for the fouth time. problem was not corrected under original warranty, now the extended warranty that i purchased is about to run out, yet having the same problem. if they have a tsb out on this, why can't they fix the problem once and forever?*ak
08/04/2003700001
 Engine failed prematurely, vehicle had been repaired twice in one year.*ak
02/21/2003830007
 The vehicle stalled, the dealer attempted to fix the problem on several occasions.*jb
01/09/20031
 While driving the vehicle began to overheat and eventually the engine seized. dealer notified. please provide additional information. *nlm *dt
01/07/20001
 Oil/filter had been changed, lose oil, return to dealer, they said it was a bad filter, they no damage had been done to the engine. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
03/26/200250676201/24/2000
 There seems to be a large number of lower intake manifold gasket failures (defects) on general motors 3.1l, 6 cylinder gasoline engines manufactured between approx 1995 and 2004 (possibly 3.4l as well per internet wistleblowing website). there are no gm recalls (gm bulletins # 030601010 (march 2003), # 020601014 (01 april 2002), and possibly # vss20030024 (04 march 2003). from the whistleblower internet website, many people including me are on the second very expensive repair due to the failure/design defect of this gasket/design (gm refusing to pay). in my case, at 50k miles there was an external purge of coolant resulting in steam release in the engine compartment. at 91k miles i am now experiencing an external oil leak at that gasket, with possible internal coolant leak per gm dealers analysis (on my receipt). the failure of the gasket seems to permit the mix of coolant and oil inside the engine or an oil leak outside the engine. the mix could seize the engine (dilutes engine oil lubrication) or cause severe and sudden engine and cooling system damage. i did a google internet search on intake manifold gasket problems and was shocked at what i found and how many people were on their second round of very expensive repairs for the same gasket failure/defect. all gm dealers are well aware of this and are currently charging $800 to $1,100 per gasket/bolt replacement. there was mention on the internet that gm might be seeking legal action against the manufacturer of their special gm coolant (required for gm cars), but i cannot verify that. the internet sites mentioned that the gm coolant might be responsible for the gaskets failing from the inside of the engine (coolant dissolves the gasket). i saw one mention of possible water pump gasket failures due to the coolant. i also heard that these gaskets might be made of plastic and cracking, which leads to failure. *jb
202/01/2002
 I noticed smoke from the hood last month and called a mechanic out to check all the hoses. i took it to the original dealership where i purchased the car. there finding was that they found coolant leaking from the lower intake gasket. i could not get the repair done because of two reasons. this is my only form of transportation and money is scarce since i am a full time college student and mother. i have had many gm cars with over 100,000 cars before that never had this problem. i voiced my frustations to the manufactuer, who just simply stated tough luck. the dealership refused to give me an extended warranty above the intial manufacturing warranty. the engine has less than 60,000 miles and a major component already needs to be replaced. it does not matter if i was the original owner or not. i can be a future buick owner, but after this whole situation i am going foreign. dt
10/11/200202/01/2002
 Same incident as odi id 8012684. all the hoses were checked prior to contacting the dealer. dt
06/07/2002106/07/2002
 There is a tapping noise coming from motor. dealer has been contacted. *ak consumer stated the service engine light comes on, consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. but the dealer refused to fix the problem. *yh
 Engine is knocking when driving. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, it was determined that engine needed to be replaced. provide further information.*ak
11/18/2000106/29/1999
 After getting off work consumer went to turn vehicle on and engine caught on fire. there was no prior warning to incident occurring. consumer contacted dealer, and dealer could not figure out what problem was. said that they were going to call manufacturer for the consumer.*ak referenced in ea02-030
08/16/1999303/29/1999
 While driving at 20 mph the entire vehicle began to jerk backward and forward, at 30 mph the jerking became violent, the engine became noisy and there was a loud noise which appeared to come from below and toward the back of the car. consumer took vehicle to dealer but dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. nlm the dealer, not knowing what the cause of the problem is, replaced the main computer. the consumer is upset that the dealer replaced a part on the vehicle that wasn't possibly what was causing the problem. *slc
 While traveling noticed engine knocking. dealer was contacted, and engine was replaced. please provide further information. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
11/09/20030103/02/1999
 Battery went dead in car, 1999 in buick century on 11-10-03. battery was replaced. dual ac in vehicle then blew cold on passenger side but not the driver's side. brought to shop. computer was reset since vents were sticking but problem not resolved. part replaced cost $646.07. problem noted in tsb bulletin # 02-01-39-001. certainly should not cost the owner of the vehicle an additional $646.00 each time the battery dies to have ac work properly. since tsb bulletin listed the problem already, gmc buick should be accountable for inferior workmanship. * cb
107/14/1999
 Strong fumes enter vehicle causing burning eyes, nose, headaches, stomach pains, nausea, spacy feeling, body aches, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and blurred vision. (potential exhaust problem) *mjs
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
01/10/200544000103/12/2004
 The intake manifold was leaking antifreeze, which could cause the vehicle to overheat. manufacturer was contacted by consumer.*ak the engine locked up due to loss of coolant. the water pump started leaking at the shaft seal with less than 43000 miles on the vehicle. a dirty, oily substance was noticed in the radiator neck. *tc
12/14/200473400205/25/2004
 Car started to leak anti-freeze very slowly. has the dexcool antifreeze. i checked the radiator to see if it was low, and the radiator looked as though it had lots of rust in it. so i took it to a local firestone store to have it looked at, and they found the leak and proceeded to tell me that this was a common occurrence in gm vehicles around this model year with the 3.1 liter engine, that a manifold gasket would start to leak, and you either got antifreeze leaking into the oil, or as in my case, the oil from the engine got into the cooling system, hence into the radiator and turned it into gunk. the price tag to do the work was around $700. so i thought i would call the buick dealer in town to see what they knew about this problem and see what they would charge to fix it. i found it ironic that the gentleman in the service department knew exactly what i was talking about, said they the parts on hand to fix it and quoted me the exact price without even taking a breath. seems this is a rather common occurrence with these engines. which leads me to believe that this is some sort of manufacturing defect, and that perhaps gm/the manufacturer should be picking up the bill for this fix. the service man at the firestone store said the same thing, that this is getting to be pretty common with these cars and could recite the necessary work that needed to be done to fix it right off the top of his head. so i would like to register my complaint in hopes that something could be done to rectify the situation. the car is in the shop presently being repaired. the head gasket and manifold gaskets need to be replaced, which constitutes tearing half the engine apart. also the oil needs to be changed a couple of times to get any coolant out of the engine, and of course the radiator needs to be flushed, cleaned and refilled. no old parts would be available as what needs to be replaced are gaskets.*ak
04/13/2004104/15/2002
 I have a 1999 buick century , i took the vehicle to have a radiator flush and was advised that i couldn't have this job performed due to a leak or crack in the intake gasket. at this time i was very surprise to see the complaints and there is no recall. this is outrageous that no one seems to care this is a very expensive repair and should not be the responsibility of the consumer to replace. this should've been done by general motors. *nm
03/25/20041
 Leaking intake manifold gasket on 1999 buick century, 77,000 miles. *ak
02/20/200425000110/01/2001
 Intake gasket on my 1999 buick century with 25,000 miles on the odometer failed.*ak
01/28/2004390003
 While driving intake manifold leaked antifreeze. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
12/28/200372515102/08/1999
 Intake manifold coolant leak caused engine failure. *ak intakes manifold gasket was replaced. gasket now has a new part number to correct the defect on the original component, gm claim #1-180791866. gm has recalled for coolant leak, but it was on a different model. also, lower intake manifold gasket was leaking. mechanic replaced the lower gasket. *la
11/21/200342419108/27/1999
 The vehicle experienced premature failure of the intake manifold. *nlm
08/01/200325000105/19/2000
 Cooling system full of gunk, uses dex*cool. overheating, leaking coolant, constantly refilling. mechanic advised dex-cool is the problem, as deteriorates gaskets. replaced intake manifold gasket for $650. if problem continues, may need to replace head gasket as well. problem is this is the recommended coolant for this car. have spent much money flushing and refilling system, before finding out that the coolant is the problem.*ak
07/22/2003104/01/2002
 Dealer replaced intake manifold gasket. consumer stated it was premature to replace the manifold. *ak when the consumers first purchased the used vehicle, dex-cool needed to be added every 2-3,000 miles. after a year, the consumer was adding dex-cool every 2 days. consumer then noticed pink gunk in the dex-cool. vehicle was taken to the dealer and they couldn't determine why this happened and where it came from. they were informed the intake manifold needed to be replaced and the vehicle needed a complete flush. when the consumer received the vehicle from the dealer, they noticed a lot of pink gunk still in the reserve jug. *ph