1998 Buick CENTURY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
134 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
58,847 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 58 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 134 complaints (8.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 17.9% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 15.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Steering: 7; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 7; Electrical System:Horn: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Electrical System: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 76 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 30; 2001: 12; 2002: 14; 2003: 16; 2004: 20; 2005: 8; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001541 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND HAD FOUND THAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL ON DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODELS WITH SAME PROBLEM; BUT, HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. TS...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 78,126 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008001 · 2003-02-22 (February 22, 2003)
I OWN A 1998 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND AM VERY GOOD ABOUT PROPER MAINTENANCE. LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND NOTICED A FEW DROPS OF COOLANT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HE CLEANED IT UP AND AGIN THE NEXT DAY, A FEW MORE DROPS. HE CHECKED THE HOSE CLAMPS AND HOSE CONDITIONS, THEY WERE FINE. HE CHECKED THE RESERVOIR WHERE YOU PUT IN DEXCOOL, IT WAS DRY. HE FILLED THE RESERVIOR AND DROVE THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC SO WE WOULD NOT DO ANY ENGINE DAMAGE. AFTER 2 DAYS AND $800, THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED. NOW I NOTICE WHEN SEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009041 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC SYSTEM PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016197 · 2003-04-19 (April 19, 2003)
FRONT DAY-TIME LIGHT/SIGNAL SOCKETS ARE OVERHEATING AND BURNING THE PLASTIC PARTS OF SOCKET & BULB. REPLACED BULB+SOCKET PRODUCED THE SAME RESULTS WITHIN SEVERAL WEEKS. DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO INVESTIGATE UNLESS PAID. GM SAYS CAR OUT OF WARRANTY. BURNING SMELL WAS DETECTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO BUT COULDN'T LOCATE THE SOURCE, ONLY AFTER THE FLASHER FAILED. BULB WAS STILL FUNCTIONING BUT THE ELECTRIC CONTACTS DID NOT FUNCTION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026657 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT DIDN'T TIGHTEN OR HOLD IT'S POSITION. THE CAR SEAT MOVED. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027079 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER FELT THAT GM PARTS WERE OF POOR QUALITY, AS HE OWNED A BUICK BEFORE, THAT HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS AT LOW MILEAGE. THE SERVICE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE HOT CLIMATE CAUSED THE RUBBER INSIDE OF THE WHEEL CYLINDERS TO CRACK. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,331 miles reported. Look up ODI 10027079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033023 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
FAILURE OF BRAKES AND ABS SYSTEM ON MY 1998 BUICK CENTURY. I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT AND I HAD IT WORKED ON. BUT YET IT HAPPENED AGAIN, DUE TO THE BRAKES FAILING AND NOW I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033977 · 2003-08-14 (August 14, 2003)
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS. ONE YEAR AGO SHE HAD THEM REPLACED BY THE LOCAL MECHANIC, THEN TWICE THEY WERE CLEANED BY THE DEALER. AFTERWARDS, SHE HAD TO HAVE 3 OF THEM REPLACED. ALL OF THIS BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STATING THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE SERVICED SOON. ALL OF THIS STARTED WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK, AND SHE HAD IT CHECKED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HELP WITH ALL OF THIS SERVICING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033977 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V102000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 1998-05-15 (May 15, 1998)
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."
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V356000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 1999-12-17 (December 17, 1999)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗