MYRModel Year Report

1998 Buick Century

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Buick Century
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
218
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

14% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 1997: 106 complaints 1998: 218 complaints 1998 218 1999: 235 complaints 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1997: 106 complaints 1998: 218 complaints 1998 218 1999: 235 complaints 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2001 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2003 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1986 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1988 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1994 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1998 218 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2000 2001: 145 complaints 2001 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2003 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
198941
199033
199139
199245
199354
1994117
199599
199680
1997106
1998218
1999235
2000193
2001145
2002154
2003127
200439
200519

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

14% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2016-10-04

Also filed under Steering

Power train

12% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

Electrical system

12% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing horn and fuses and circuit breakers.

Show complaint excerpts

My vehicle's window controls and lock controls are no longer working, when locking the door or the window will go down but will not come up. The rest of the windows control throughout the car will not work as well.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-12-29

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Steering

11% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

This is the 2D time this component has had to be replaced--

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-07-30

I was driving approx. 15 MPH down driveway at work-car oversteered crashing into side of building-impact so intense my head hit rearview mirror, breaking it and windshield. Entire underside of car (Frame, tie rod, suspension,etc.) is damaged.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-11-03

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, 2012-10-09

Visibility

11% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 218 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-05-30Exterior lighting98V102000 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…

    Remedy: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1999-04-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-08-20 Windshield wiper
  4. I
    1999-08-20Engineering analysisClosed 2000-01-13 Windshield wiper
  5. R
    2000-07-20Exterior lighting99V356000 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…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  7. I
    2003-09-15Engineering analysisClosed 2003-12-18 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  8. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V102000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 99V356000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 service brakes, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Buick Century have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.