Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
218Complaints
4Recalls
9Crashes
0Fires
9Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (9.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Power Train:automatic Transmission
20 · 9.2%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
14 · 6.4%
not available
—
Exterior Lighting:headlights
14 · 6.4%
Recalled
Recall 99V356000 · Recall 98V102000
Electrical System:horn
12 · 5.5%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
8 · 3.7%
not available
—
Steering
8 · 3.7%
Recalled
Recall 09E005000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP14 · 6.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS14 · 6.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN12 · 5.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8 · 3.7%
STEERING8 · 3.7%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD7 · 3.2%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS7 · 3.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6 · 2.8%
Percentages are the share of the 218 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“ENGINE IS STARTED AND TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE. AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL.”NHTSA complaint 9005243 — filed 02/06/2002 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“HAD SHIFTED VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. WAS UNABLE TO STEER FORWARD OR REVERSE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK…”NHTSA complaint 862707 — filed 05/30/2000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“AGAIN NEARLY 20 TIMES WHEN REVERSE WHEN ACTIVATED, THE CAR DID NOT GO INTO REVERSE BUT THE ENGINE ROARED LOUDER. UNTIL THE GEARS WERE TAKEN…”NHTSA complaint 717122 — filed 01/09/2000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Century?
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 20 of 218 NHTSA complaints (9.2%), followed by unspecified/other issues (16), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (14), exterior lighting:headlights (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Buick Century have?
218 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Buick Century have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E005000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Buick Century's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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