Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Buick Century. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.
GM/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.
- Remedy
- OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (218)
218 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 218 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 29 | 13.3% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 11.9% |
| Power train | 26 | 11.9% |
| Steering | 24 | 11% |
| Visibility | 24 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 10.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 21 | 9.6% |
| Unknown or other | 16 | 7.3% |
| Fuel system | 12 | 5.5% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 5.5% |
How 1998 compares with other Century years
Best and worst Century years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 106 | 6 |
| 1995 | 99 | 1 |
| 1996 | 80 | 1 |
| 1997 | 106 | 2 |
| 1998 | 218 | 2 |
| 1999 | 235 | 3 |
| 2000 | 193 | 5 |
| 2001 | 145 | 3 |
| 2002 | 154 | 0 |
| 2003 | 127 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Century for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 Buick Century FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Buick Century have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 99V356000 (lighting), 98V102000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Buick Century problems?
Owners filed 218 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (29), Electrical system (26), Power train (26) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Buick Century get?
EPA rates the 3.1 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 17 city, 27 highway and 21 combined mpg.
How does the 1998 Century compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Buick Century model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (80) and the 1999 the most (235). The 1998 drew 218. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.