BumperScan
Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports|Updated
Your report: 3 of 4 steps complete75%
Car identifiedData collectedBasic analysisFull AI analysis

Free Preview

#BS-1998-BUICEN-46C9

1998 Buick CenturyProblems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 278 owners and 4 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026

Complaints
278
Crashes
13
Fires
0
Recalls
4
TSBs
87
🟡

Preliminary Verdict

Think Twice

Based on 278 complaints, 13 crashes, 0 fires, and 4 recalls.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Top reported problems

1

complete electric failure

2 complaints • Severity 10/10

$X,XXX
2

faulty signal light switch

2 complaints • Severity 9/10

$X,XXX
3

window is stuck

2 complaints • Severity 6/10

$X,XXX
4

hvac-desired vent selection knob has no effect

1 complaints • Severity 4/10

$X,XXX
5

wheel well rusted

1 complaints • Severity 8/10

$X,XXX

Preview: What's in your full report

Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00

Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the Power Train:automatic TransmissionHIGH

20 owners reported power train:automatic transmission issues — failures commonly reported around 55K miles.

!Inspect the Exterior Lighting:headlightsMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

Failure Timeline by Mileage

10
0–30K
32
30–60K
17
60–90K
10
90–120K
3
120–150K
1
150K+

Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (32 reports) • Median: 55K miles

Full report: which components fail at each mileageUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Power Train:automatic Transmission (20 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Power Train:automatic Transmission20 (7%)
Other17 (6%)
Exterior Lighting:headlights14 (5%)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip14 (5%)
Electrical System:horn12 (4%)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine8 (3%)
Steering8 (3%)
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls7 (3%)

1998 Buick Century: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Power Train:automatic Transmission Issues

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 1998 Buick Century, with 20 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 54,696 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 55K-mile mark.

Exterior Lighting:headlights Issues

Exterior Lighting:headlights complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 1998 Buick Century, with 14 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to exterior lighting:headlights-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip Issues

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 1998 Buick Century, with 14 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Electrical System:horn Issues

Electrical System:horn complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 1998 Buick Century, with 12 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system:horn-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Complaint trend by year

40
00
15
01
23
02
20
03
23
04
8
05
4
06
5
07
5
08
4
09
6
10
3
11
1
12
2
13
5
14
1
15
2
16
2
20

Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1998 Buick Century. Recent trend: stable.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

Get Report — From $2.00

Recall History (4 recalls)

07E021000Apr 2007

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

09E005000Feb 2009

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 REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

98V102000May 1998

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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."

99V356000Jul 2000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

Unlock

NHTSA Defect Investigations (4)

All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.

EA03019ClosedOpened Sep 2003 · closed Dec 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

STEERING

EA99024ClosedOpened Aug 1999 · closed Jan 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER

VISIBILITY

PE99028ClosedOpened Apr 1999 · closed Aug 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPER

VISIBILITY

RQ03001ClosedOpened Jan 2003 · closed Sep 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

STEERING

The worst model year for the Buick Century is the 2000 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.

1998 Buick Century vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)

This vehicle

278

Class avg

240

Complaint volume is roughly in line with other midsize cars vehicles from 1998.

Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 278 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 4 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026.

Other Buick Century Model Years

200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973
View all Buick Century years →

1998 Buick Century: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Buick Century?
The most commonly reported issue with the 1998 Buick Century is related to the power train:automatic transmission, with 20 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 1998 Buick Century reliable?
The 1998 Buick Century has 278 complaints, 13 crash reports, and 0 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How much does it cost to fix 1998 Buick Century problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 1998 Buick Century have any recalls?
Yes, the 1998 Buick Century has 4 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Buick Century problems start?
Based on 73 complaints with mileage data, the median mileage at time of complaint is 54,696 miles. The highest concentration of reported issues occurs in the 30–60K mile range. The full report breaks down exactly which components fail at each mileage bracket.
When was the 1998 Buick Century data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 21, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 19, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
RaccoonEagleRoverCat

Get the Full 1998 Buick Century Report

10 sections of AI analysis based on 278 owner reports. Know before you buy.

Get Full Report — From $2.00Money-back guarantee
Instant delivery|One-time purchase|No hidden fees