Complaints
278
Crashes
13
Fires
0
Injuries
12
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Buick Century Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#120 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:41,600 mi
#214 complaints
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Avg mileage:72,434 mi
#314 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:53,700 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Buick Century.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 20 | — | — | 41,600 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 14 | — | — | 72,434 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 14 | — | — | 53,700 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 | — | — | 53,935 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | 2 | — | 74,039 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 | — | — | 43,872 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | — | 86,146 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 6 | 2 | — | 80,883 mi | |
| Airbags | 5 | 1 | — | 121,642 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,600
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,434
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,700
Electrical System:Horn
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,935
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,039
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,872
Visibility:Windshield
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,146
Steering:Rack And Pinion
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,883
Airbags
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
121,642
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Buick Century. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Century Years
1998 Buick Century — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Buick Century reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1998 Buick Century has 278 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 20 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Buick Century?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (20 complaints, avg 41,600 mi); Exterior Lighting:Headlights (14 complaints, avg 72,434 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (14 complaints, avg 53,700 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Buick Century?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 62,945 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Buick Century?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Buick Century include 13 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Buick Century have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Buick Century as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Buick Century?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (automatic transmission) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Century reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Buick Century
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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