1998 Buick Century: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 218 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (12% of complaints); the 1996 and 1997 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 218 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2020
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2016
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Was driven off the road by another vehicle I then hit a pothole at the same time my passenger dash airbag deployed. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2014
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2014
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2013
“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”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2013
“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”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2012
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Century by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Buick Century reliable?
NHTSA has 218 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Buick Century. The most complained-about area is power train (12% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Buick Century problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,847 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Buick Century have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.