MYRModel Year Report

1998 Buick Century

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Buick Century
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Century Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1988: 16 complaints 1988 1989: 40 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 38 complaints 1992: 45 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1994: 106 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1998: 218 complaints 1998 1999: 235 complaints 2000: 193 complaints 2000 2001: 145 complaints 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2004 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1998: 218 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19848
19857
198622
198728
198816
198940
199033
199138
199245
199354
1994106
199599
199680
1997106
1998218
1999235
2000193
2001145
2002154
2003127
200439
200519

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 14 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%

6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 14 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 4%

4% of complaints: steering — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20161004

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121009

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 218
R 19980530 — exterior lighting

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 FMV

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

Campaign 98V102000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990416 — PE (closed 19990820)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

I 19990820 — EA (closed 20000113)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

R 20000720 — exterior lighting

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

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

Campaign 99V356000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20030915 — EA (closed 20031218)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090223 — steering

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 REPLACEM

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 D

Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V102000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V356000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1991 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ◆ 2000 ◆ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Buick Century reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Buick Century is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Century?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Buick Century have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.