Model year record

1997 Buick Century

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 132 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V348000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
155,149
Reported to NHTSA
1999-12-16
Owners notified
2000-05-25

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY.

Safety risk

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PLASTIC WATER DEFLECTOR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM AND INSTALL A WATER DEFLECTOR. ON VEHICLES RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT CRANK ARM AND NEW WATER DEFLECTOR, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY ADDITIONAL SEALING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE WATER DEFLECTION AWAY FROM THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY AND WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WIPER PARK MECHANISM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V102000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
149,342
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-15
Owners notified
1998-05-30

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: horn12
Seat belts: front: retractor8
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer636,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion516,215 mi
Air bags4
Electrical system4
Exterior lighting: headlights4
Steering4129,300 mi
Tires4103 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Seat belts: rear/other343,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Steering: rack and pinion: rack3102,000 mi
Structure: body: door3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages349,400 mi
Air bags: frontal2
Electrical system: ignition2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Seat belts: front2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Suspension: rear2
Vehicle speed control275,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Visibility: windshield2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2
Wheels: rim2
Child seat1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine1
Engine and engine cooling1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe140,000 mi
Equipment1
Equipment adaptive/mobility1124,636 mi
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices165,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch189,887 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other1
Interior lighting1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1104,990 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1188,376 mi
Suspension: multiple axle1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.