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Model Year Problem Record

Buick Century 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Buick Century: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

218Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
6Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
13Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting23 complaints

23 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 98V102000, 99V356000.

Engine23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

98V102000Reported May 15, 1998 - 149,342 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on May 15, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 149,342 vehicles across all affected models.

99V356000Reported December 17, 1999 - 411,880 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on December 17, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 411,880 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA03019Opened September 15, 2003 - Closed December 18, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 03V527000.

EA03019Opened September 15, 2003 - Closed December 18, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 03V527000.

EA99024Opened August 20, 1999 - Closed January 13, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE99028Opened April 16, 1999 - Closed August 20, 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPER. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ03001Opened January 2, 2003 - Closed September 15, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ03001Opened January 2, 2003 - Closed September 15, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19972
199835
199947
200030
200112
200214
200316
200420
20058
20064
20075
20083
20094
20105
20113
20121
20132
20144
20151
20161
20201
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.