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.
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.
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.
All 4 campaigns on file, newest first.
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
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 14, 2009IN
BUICK CENTURY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST. *TR
Visibility
Filed Feb 15, 200923,000 milesCT
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. MY LEFT WIPER BANGS A FEW INCHES UP THEN SMACKS BACK DOWN. THIS IS NOT SNOW RELATED BECAUSE I'VE LEARNER TO COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE WIPERS AND WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF MY FIRST TIME WAITING FOR SNOW TO MELT. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I ACQUIRED THE CAR FROM MY GRANDMOTHER IN DEC. 2008. SHE PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT IS TOO OLD TOO KEEP UP WITH RECALLS AND SUCH. I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AND I WAS ALMOST IN A CRASH WITH MY CHILDREN DUE TO A SUDDEN RAIN SHOWER CAUSING THE VISIBILITY TO BE AWFUL. *TR
Suspension › Front
Filed Sep 10, 2008145,000 milesWI
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL PART STORES, BUT NONE OF THEM HAD THE NECESSARY PART FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000.
Seats
Filed Sep 5, 2008112,300 milesOR
DASH BOARD LIGHT WHERE THE MILEAGE SHOWS. CANNOT SEE ANYTHING, THE LIGHT SUDDENLY WENT OUT AND CANNOT SEE MILES ON CAR. ALSO, AUTOMATIC BUTTON TO PUSH SEAT BACK AND FORTH IS NOT WORKING. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE THE SEAT IS PUSHED UP TO CLOSE TO THE FRONT . *TR
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 5, 2008OR
THE PAINT ON MY CAR KEEPS CHIPPING OFF AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *TR
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 17, 2007107,000 milesCT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPLACING ALL OF THE PARTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000.
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 1, 200722,225 milesVA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR ELECTRIC WINDOWS DO NOT OPERATE. HE STATED THAT THE WINDOWS CANNOT ROLL UP ONCE THEY ARE DOWN. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. HE HAS REPLACED THE REGULATOR COMPONENT, WHICH COST AN ESTIMATED $350. WHEN THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED, THE MECHANIC FAILED TO OFFER AN EXPLANATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. PRESENTLY, THE LEFT REAR WINDOW STILL MALFUNCTIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,225.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE WHAT TYPE OF MODULE THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE. THE DEALER DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 104,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 26, 2007118,500 milesMD
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. DURING JANUARY 2007 THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TRIED TO TURN THEM ON WITH THE ON OFF SWITCH BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD TURN ON WHILE HOLDING THE LEVER, BUT THE NORMAL HEAD BEAMS LIGHTS DID NOT. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT AFTER MOVING THE LIGHT LEVER THE NORMAL HEADLIGHT BEAMS TURNED ON. A MONTH AFTER THE FAILURE BEGAN THE HEAD LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON 2/25/07. THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS TOO SOON FOR A VEHICLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 119,000 MILES AND ABOUT 9 YEARS OLD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118500.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 1, 200747,000 milesPA
ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING, LOSING BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST FOUR WEEKS. TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS, NONE BEING ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD, NOT ONLY TO MY DAUGHTER WHO IS THE PRINCIPLE DRIVER, BUT ALSO TO ALL DRIVERS/CARS DRIVING NEARBY, AS IT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NM
TiresCrash
Filed Nov 13, 200667,600 milesFL
I BRING IN MY TIRES FOR AIR PRESSURE, AND TELL ME " THAT THE TIRES CRACKING". *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 25, 200632,000 milesTN
OVERHEATING ENGINE & TICKING SOUND. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT OF REPAIR. AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED SAME PROBLEM BUT THEN NEEDED OVER 600.00 IN REPAIRS. LATER SAME PROBLEM 300.00 IN REPAIRS. ALWAYS THERMOSTAT OR WATER PUMP. THE TEMP GAUGE GOES UP AND LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, SAME AS BEFORE, A MECHANIC WAS AT THE CAFE I WORK AT & LOOKED AT THE CAR. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR & THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM FROM THESE GM PRODUCTS MANY MANY TIMES AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE. ADDED COOLANT & IT LASTED A LITTLE WHILE. TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR SECOND OPINION & WAS TOLD THE SAME. THE TEMP LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON BUT THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON. THE TICKING GOT LOUDER AND TOOK TO DEALER FOR THEIR OPINION, ASK THEM TO CHECK THE COOLANT TO SEE IF OIL WAS IN IT. WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS FROM A STUCK LIFTER & THEY PUT IN A HEAVIER WEIGHT OIL & ADDITIVE TO OIL CHANGE & THAT THE FLUIDS LOOKED GOOD. 2 WEEKS LATER LET 4TH MECHANIC LOOK, HE PUT IS FINGER IN RADIATOR & SHOWED ME THE GUNK, SAID I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET & MORE. HE HAS SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. TOLD THAT GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, THAT THEY KNOW THEIR IS A PROBLEM AND DO NOTHING ABOUT IT AND TRY TO COVER IT UP. GM SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE IN THE PAST WEEKS. I DON'T WANT MONEY OR NEW CAR I JUST WANT MINE FIXED BY THE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE. THE DEALER HAS LIED TO ME ABOUT THIS
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 8, 200654,400 milesCA
ABS SYSTEM ON MY 1998 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET AT ABOUT 40 MPH. FAILURE CAUSED HANDLING ISSUES. BUICK DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THE ABS MOTOR POWER PACK AND THE MODULATOR HAVE GONE BAD. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Mar 5, 200645,000 milesMA
THE POWER STEERING ON MY BUICK ONLY HAS POWER ASSIST WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT THE STEERING BINDS. *NM
Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Dec 28, 2005KS
WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO. WITHIN THAT TIME, NONE OF OUR WINDOWS WORK. IT BEGAN WITH THE TWO BACK WINDOWS NOT ROLLING DOWN AND ONCE THEY WERE DOWN, NOT ABLE TO GO BACK UP. MY FATHER THOUGHT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING. HE PROCEEDED TO DISCONNECT THE BACK WINDOWS. THEN THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW WOULD DO THE SAME THING: ROLL DOWN AND THEN NOT GO UP, OR NOT EVEN ROLL DOWN AT ALL. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A FUSED. INDEED THE FUSE WAS VERY HOT WHEN REMOVING IT. NOW, NONE OF MY WINDOWS ROLL DOWN. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL THE MECHANISMS AT OUR COST. HOPING TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE OFF. *NM
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 21, 200549,933 milesMD
WE HAVE A 1998 BUICK CENTURY WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. THE INFORMATION IN COMPLAINTS 10137627 AND 10134068 ARE VERY SIMILAR TO OUR TWO EXPERIENCES. IN JUNE 2004 THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW JUST FELL AND COULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE REAR WINDOW ON THE SIDE DID THE SAME THING A YEAR LATER. BOTH WERE SPONTANEOUS. EACH REPAIR WAS ABOUT $500.00. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO BUICK WHICH WAS SUMMARILY DISMISSED BECAUSE THE CAR IS "OLD" AND IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO EACH WINDOW ONCE. (AS AN ASIDE MY WIFE'S BROTHER HAS THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO THREE OF HIS WINDOWS. THE TWO VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED FROM THE SAME DEALER ABOUT 4 MONTHS APART) I HAVE ACCESSED SOME INFORMATION MENTIONED IN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS SO I NEED NOT REPEAT IT HERE. I BELIEVE BUICK HAS IN INHERENT DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR CHANGED AT NO COST. IT WAS HOWEVER REPLACED WITH THE SAME HARDWARE. OUR GRANDCHILDREN RIDE IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THIS FAILURE COULD ENDANGER THEM. YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED. *JB
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 18, 200577,071 milesAZ
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. POWER WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. ALL 4 WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. WITHIN 2 MONTHS ALL 4 WINDOWS HAVE BEEN CHECKED . THE DEALER WORKED ON 3 WINDOWS . THEY FAILED AT 70, 000 MILES . THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR WINDOWS TO BE FIXED. *AK *NM
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 24, 200555,000 milesTX
WE HAVE 2 BUICK CENTURY AUTOMOBILES; A 1998 AND A 2001. BOTH HAVE POWER WINDOWS. POWER WINDOW UNITS IN BOTH AUTOS FAILED THIS SUMMER. A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE THAT CONNECTS THE REGULATOR CABLE TO THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR BREAKS ALLOWING THE WINDOW TO SLIP DOWN AND NOT BE CLOSED. THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE SINCE BUICK DOES NOT SELL THE CONNECTOR DEVISE; INSTEAD IT REQUIRES CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A COMPLETE ''DEALER ONLY'' POWER WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY FOR OVER $300. SINCE MAY WE HAVE HAD 50% OF OUR POWER WINDOWS GO OUT ON THE 1998 BUICK CENTURY AND ONE GO OUT ON THE 2001; WITHOUT THE MONEY TO PURCHASE THE DEALER PART HAVE HAD TO HAVE A MECHANIC PROP THE WINDOWS IN THE CLOSED POSITION WITH A WOODEN DOWEL. SINCE ONE OF THESE WINDOWS IS THE DRIVER''S WINDOW WE BELIEVE THAT THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THAT HE SEES A LOT OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE ''THIS IS A BAD DESIGN''. MY DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO HEAT, HOWEVER THEY DO SELL BUICK''S WITH THIS WINDOW DESIGN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING AREAS WHERE HEAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED IN THE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING. A GOOGLE SEARCH CAME UP WITH OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ON THIS PART. THE BUICK DISCUSSION BOARD ON THIS SHOWS A 50% FAILURE RATE IN THEIR OWN SURVEY. I BELIEVE THAT GM HAS AN OBLIGATION TO DEVELOP AN IMPROVED VERSION OF THE PLASTIC PART AND AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE THAT PART AVAILABLE TO ALLOW THE ASSEMBLY TO BE REPAIRED INSTEAD OF COMPLETELY REPLACED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND CONSIDER A RECALL
Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jul 21, 2005107,000 milesIL
1998 BUICK CENTURY STEERING FAILED & CANNOT TURN LEFT EVENT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED IN PARKING LOT AND NO DAMAGE RESULTED. DEALER WILL NOT COVER REPAIR OF VEHICLE WITH A 'W' DESIGNATION. ALTHOUGH THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THEY TO HAVE SAME STEERING RELATED DEFECTS AS CARS THAT RECEIVED RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN.
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 17, 2005FL
DT: CONTACT STATED FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND TWO REAR WINDOW REGULATORS BROKE, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO STAY DOWN. THE WINDOW REGULATORS WERE BEING REPLACED. *AK
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLIMINATE AT VEHICLE STARED UP, DEALER STATED THAT MANY OF THESE BUICKS HAVE ABS FAILURE BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THIS SYSTEM FAILED AT 37000 MILES. MY SON'S SAME MODEL VEHICLE FAILED AT 49000 MILES.*AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Jan 14, 200577,951 milesIN
THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS THE MOTOR PACK WHICH HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ABS. THE CONSUMER HEARD A CHAIN CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *AK *SC
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 2, 200463,000 milesFL
THE GASKET HAS TO BE REPLACED. ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED FROM THE TOP, AND DRIPPED DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE LEAK HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. *AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Nov 17, 200450,000 milesAZ
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM PROBLEM. THERE WAS 50,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEFECT WAS THE RESULT OF POOR GAS THAT WAS USED IN ARIZONA. CONSUMER HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS CLEANED AND FLUSHED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist
Filed Sep 29, 200457,972 milesNY
WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GET HARD, AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HEAR AIR NOISE IN THE BRAKE LINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *TC
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Sep 14, 2004FL
THE ABOVE THE DASHBOARD WAS LEAKING BLACK FLUID THIS CAUSED THE MIRROR GO BLACK. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER THAT THE HEAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND A REPLACEMENT OF A RECALL WAS NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS TO RENDERED PAYMENT FOR THE PART AND LABOR. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.,
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 19, 2004FL
1998 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. I BURNED OUT MY 3RD A/C BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR SINCE 2001. THIS TIME THE HARNESS STARTED MELTING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND SMOKING. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT I CAME CLOSE TO HAVING A FIRE. A CALL TO THE GM DEALER FOUND THAT THEY ARE SOLD OUT OF THE PIGTAIL NEEDED FOR REPAIR. THE PART MUST BE IN SUBSTANCIAL DEMAND. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY. BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GIVE A TIME FRAME. THEY WERE ALSO AWARE OF THE FREQUENT RESISTOR MODULE BURN OUTS. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD WIRE AND RESISTOR IF NEEDED FOR INSPECTION. I DID NOTICE THAT THE NEWEST MODULES ARE DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY. THIS DID NOT PREVENT THE HIGH SPEED WIRE FROM BURNING.*AK
Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 21, 200449,000 milesIL
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, CONSUMER CAN HEAR A DISTINCT POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SHOCKS ON THE FRONT END. *LA
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jul 19, 200412,102 milesNJ
THE REAR SEAT BELTS ARE JAMMED INTO THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM. THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. *AK BUICK REFUSED TO FIX THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed May 20, 2004CT
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT. *NM THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT BUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *SC *JB
Complaints 1-50 of 218, newest first, reproduced as filed.
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.