Model year record

1998 Buick Century

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 278 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V356000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
411,880
Reported to NHTSA
1999-12-17
Owners notified
2000-07-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.

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
Power train: automatic transmission2041,600 mi
Unknown or other1654,696 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1426,369 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1453,000 mi
Electrical system: horn12
Engine and engine cooling: engine847,000 mi
Steering880,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls748,000 mi
Visibility: windshield7
Electrical system678,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion684,650 mi
Air bags599,285 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5
Structure: body5
Air bags: frontal4800 mi
Engine and engine cooling459,721 mi
Structure: body: door454,696 mi
Suspension: front449,000 mi
Visibility454,696 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system350,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors3
Seat belts354,696 mi
Seat belts: front3
Seats354,696 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic383,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system345,000 mi
Suspension354,696 mi
Tires360,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3
Electrical system: ignition247,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system232,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe223,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting278,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2
Exterior lighting: turn signal2
Interior lighting2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)254,696 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor212,102 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light237,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2
Wheels254,696 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring1
Equipment1
Equipment: electrical133,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, other1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1
Power train: manual transmission1
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seat belts: rear/other1101,000 mi
Service brakes1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module177,951 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders128,331 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1107,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist157,972 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)178,126 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid147,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm130,100 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack172,000 mi
Structure1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: rear130,100 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility/wiper1116,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1

The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of 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.