1998 Buick Century

Above average

Owners filed 218 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

59 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles; the median is 57,972 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission18
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights14
000
Unknown or Other12
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip11
000
Electrical System › Horn11
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls7
000
Visibility › Windshield6
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion6
201
Steering5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering09E005000
Filed Feb 17, 2009979 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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 Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

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.

Risk. 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 › Headlights99V356000
Filed Dec 17, 1999411,880 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights98V102000
Filed May 15, 1998149,342 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OWNER MANUALS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING DEVICE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Dec 29, 202078,000 milesIN

MY VEHICLE'S WINDOW CONTROLS AND LOCK CONTROLS ARE NO LONGER WORKING, WHEN LOCKING THE DOOR OR THE WINDOW WILL GO DOWN BUT WILL NOT COME UP. THE REST OF THE WINDOWS CONTROL THROUGHOUT THE CAR WILL NOT WORK AS WELL. THE LIGHTING IN THE CAR FLICKERS IF YOU WOULD PUSH THE LOT OR THE WINDOW CONTROL. ANTERIOR LIGHT IS NO LONGER WORKING. NONE OF THIS WORKS EVEN WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 4, 2016MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE BRAKES AND STEERING COLUMN SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS, A CONCUSSION, AND SEVERAL UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09E005000 (STEERING) AND 03V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Tires
Filed Nov 6, 201560,000 milesMI

MULTIPLE CRACKING ON SIDEWALLS OF 4 MICHELIN HARMONY TIRES BEING USED 3000 MILES A YEAR. TIRES BOUGHT IN 2007 AND HAVE 99% OF TREAD STILL PRESENT ON TIRE. FEEL MICHELIN USED INSUFFICIENT UV/OZONE INHIBITOR CHEMICALS IN RUBBER COMPOUND MANUFACTURING THESE TIRES. TIRES MAY BE UNSAFE AND NOT DUE TO CAR OWNER'S FAULT. FEEL MICHELIN SHOULD REPLACE THESE AT THEIR EXPENSE, NOT MY MOTHER'S EXPENSE. TIRES SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 7-8 YEARS AT 3000 MILES A YEAR WHEN 80,000 IS ADVERTISED FOR THESE TIRES.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 21, 2014OH

WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE I THEN HIT A POTHOLE AT THE SAME TIME MY PASSENGER DASH AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock
Filed Sep 8, 2014NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE WAY TO UNLOCK THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT LOCKED THE KEYS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT HAD TO GO HOME TO RETRIEVE A SPARE SET OF KEYS TO UNLOCK THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY RISK FOR CHILDREN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 12, 2014144,000 milesGA

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS STARTING TO DETACH FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 6, 201499,285 milesIN

I FIRST NOTICED THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF IN JANUARY OF 2014, ESPECIALLY GOING DOWN A HILL. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE IN MY GAS TANK, BUT AFTER FILLING UP A COUPLE OF TIMES AND PUTTING IN SOME GAS DRYER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I USUALLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND START THE ENGINE WHILE THE CAR IS STILL MOVING. I TOOK MY REMOTE AND OTHER KEYS OFF THE KEY RING. IT STILL SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE WITH JUST ONE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT NOT AS MUCH. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW I CAN REMEDY THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 1998 BUICK CENTURY? WILL THIS BE AT MY OWN EXPENSE? *TR

Seats
Filed Jun 27, 2013TN

NO TOP TETHER ANCHOR AVAILABLE FOR CHILD CAR SEAT. GM REFUSES TO RETROFIT AND SAYS THAT THERE IS NO RETROFIT KIT AVAILABLE, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A BULLETIN IN MARCH 2012 THAT SAYS THAT THEY WILL RETROFIT ONE FOR FREE. UNABLE TO SAFETY TRANSPORT MY CHILD. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed May 31, 2013116,000 milesOH

AFTER A SNOWFALL, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK, STOOD STRAIGHT UP AND OBSTRUCTED MY VIEW. I CALLED BUICK AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND IT WOULD BE REPAIRED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE WIPERS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT MY CAR HAS THE EXACT ISSUE AS THE PREVIOUS MODEL. I FIND THAT THIS IS A DANGER TO MYSELF, MY CHILDREN AND OTHER DRIVERS/PASSENGERS AND FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 9, 201280,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAINED CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 22, 201183,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED INDICATING A BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ABS MOTOR PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND SHE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Steering
Filed Mar 29, 2011132,500 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED HE INTERMITTENTLY HAD TO APPLY HEAVY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE FAILURE WAS RESULTING FROM THE LOWER PINION BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 4, 201111,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL UP ALL FOUR WINDOWS BUT ONLY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE WINDOW MOTORS AND TRACKS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 4/1/11 *CN UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 10, 201053,000 milesFL

ABS FAILURE. NOW 54,931 MILES ON ODOMETER.. 1998 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. I SENT A LETTER TO RAY LAHOOD SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ANSWER FROM ANY ONE! THIS IS S SAFETY ISSUE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT GM ENGINEERS COULD NOT DESIGN AN ABS THAT WOULD LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MILES! HOW MANY FAILURES HAS GM EXPERIENCED? THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ABS PUMP HAD FAILED AND IT WOULD COST $800 TO REPLACE IT. UPDATED IVOQ 10/29/10.*JB *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 2, 201059,721 milesLA

BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE INSPECTION. WAS INFORMED THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT. HAD IT REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP ON 03/07/2006. ON 06/28/2010, THE SAME ISSUE SEEMS TO BE RE-OCCURRING. SHOULD AN INTAKE GASKET NEED REPLACING 2X'S UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 23, 2010184,000 milesNJ

MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE ALL THE FLUID SUDDENLY DRAINED OUT OF THE SYSTEM AND IT IS REPORTED TO ME BY A DEALER THAT THIS IS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 1998 BUICK CENTURY. I AM TOLD THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME, HOWEVER, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS MAY BE A SAFETY PROBLEM BEYOND MY CAR. WHY WOULD BUICK USE MATERIALS IN A BRAKE LINE THAT WOULD CORRODE SO BADLY THAT IT WOULD FAIL IN ONLY 11 YEARS WHEN THE CAR COULD EASILY LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THAT? I NOW HAVE MY CAR IN MY GARAGE WITH NO BRAKES. I WILL BE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO REPAIR MY BRAKE LINES BUT THOUGHT THAT IF THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO MY CAR SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW THEIR CONDITION BEFORE I HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. THANK YOU *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 23, 201020,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH HE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Visibility
Filed Jan 5, 201072,000 milesGA

POWER WINDOW AND MIRROR ISSUES IN 1998 BUICK CENTURY. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2004, I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE BUICK CENTURY, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? THE WINDOWS KEEP COMING OFF THE TRACK, I DRIVE ON SMOOTH ROADS AND FOLLOW THE SPEED LIMIT, SO WHAT IS GOING ON???? MY POWER MIRRORS HAVEN'T WORKED SINCE 2004. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IS THE ONE THAT'S GIVEN ME THE WORST HEADACHE, PUT IN A NEW MOTOR THINKING THAT'S WHY IT WAS STICKING AND THEN IT QUIT WORKING AGAIN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, IT'S NOT SAFE. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 14, 2009MS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR INJURIES. NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 4, 2009106,000 milesMI

I HAVE A 1998 BUICK REGAL WITH REAR SEATBELTS THAT JAM INSIDE AND CANNOT BE RE-EXTENDED. I HAVE PAID $200 TO HAVE THE BACK SEAT REMOVED AND THE SEATBELTS REALIGNED SO THAT THEY WORK. I WAS WARNED AT TIME OF REPAIR THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL CAR AND IT WOULD PROBABLY REOCCUR. DESPITE OUR GREAT CARE IN USING THE REALIGNED BELTS, THE PROBLEM DID IN FACT REOCCUR AND NOW BOTH REAR BELTS ARE JAMMED AGAIN, WITH THE RESULT THAT OUR CHILDREN CANNOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE CAR AND WE CANNOT USE IT WHEN TRAVELING WITH THEM (UNLESS WE PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN). MY MOTHER HAS A BUICK REGAL ROUGHLY THE SAME AGE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

20 of 218 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200519200Routine
200439200Routine
2003127220Routine
2002154240Routine
2001145520Routine
2000193710Routine
1999235540Above average
1998 — this page218400Above average
1997106410Routine
199680210Routine
199599110Routine
1994106641Fatalities reported
199354230Routine
199245321Fatalities reported
199138220Routine
199033230Routine

Compare every Century year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 17, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.