1998 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 278 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.5 times the median Century year — the 1998 model ranks #2 of 33 Century years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (31), electrical system (29), and transmission (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

278

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	31	11%	▲ up
Electrical System	29	10%	▲ up
Transmission	27	10%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	26	9%	▲ up
Steering	24	9%	▲ up
Lighting	23	8%	▲ up
Engine	23	8%	▲ up
Other	17	6%	▲ up
Seat Belts	12	4%	— flat
Fuel System	12	4%	▲ up
Body & Structure	11	4%	▲ up
Airbags	10	4%	▲ up
Speed Control	8	3%	▲ up
Suspension	8	3%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	7	3%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	5	2%	▲ up
Seats	3	1%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	2	1%	— flat

Does the 1998 Buick Century have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E005000SteeringFebruary 17, 2009 · 979 units

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.

Consequence

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.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

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.

Consequence

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.

99V356000LightingDecember 17, 1999 · 411,880 units

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.

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.

98V102000LightingMay 15, 1998 · 149,342 units

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."

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 13, 2003 · crash

“THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT REGULATES THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. THIS PROBLEM IN THE BEGINNING WAS INTERMITTENT BUT WE NEVER REPORTED IT UNTIL SOME TIME BETWEEN JAN. 2002 TO PRESENT. THEY CLAIM THAT THE BOARD IS DEFECTIVE BUT IT WOULD COST US AROUNG $ 500.00 TO BE REPLACED. WE BELIEVE THAT A…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2002

“HAD SHIFTED VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. WAS UNABLE TO STEER FORWARD OR REVERSE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK. VEHICLE RESET ITSELF. IT'S WAS INTERMITTEN PROBLEM. WOULD HESITATE AT 50-55MPH. AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE WOULD STOP RUNNING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 27, 1999

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 14, 2004

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 22, 2003 · crash

1998 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1998 Buick Century reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 278 complaints put the 1998 model at #2 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (31 complaints), electrical system (29 complaints), transmission (27 complaints).

Does the 1998 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Century years to avoid are 1999, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1994, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993. The cleanest record among Century years belongs to 1980.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1998 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 1998 Buick Century problems?

Does the 1998 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1998 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1998 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 1998 Century problems?

Does the 1998 Buick Century have recalls?

Is the 1998 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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