Model year guide

1998 Buick Century

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Buick Century is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 23 on record.

1998 Buick Century at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints251
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$1,156

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1998 Buick Century recalls 4

Steering NHTSA Campaign #09E005000 · 17/02/2009

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.

Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #99V356000 · 17/12/1999

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.

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices NHTSA Campaign #07E021000 · 12/03/2007

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.

Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #98V102000 · 15/05/1998

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."

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1998 Buick Century common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

1998 Buick Century MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1998 Buick Century worth?

Low
$650
Typical price
$1,156
High
$1,750

From 16 comparable 1998 Buick Century listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Buick Century costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,750
Fuel only$14,750
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Buick Century trims & engines on record

Trims
Custom · Limited
Engines
3.1L 6-cyl

1998 Buick Century vehicles on record

1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M4W1475158 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M4W1606797 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M6W1453601 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M7W1557482 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M2W1449951 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52MXW1466836 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M9W1589611 1998 Buick Century Limited2G4WY52M8W1589128 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M0W1599542 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M0W1571322 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M8W1451915 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M2W1520727 1998 Buick Century Limited2G4WY52M9W1500926 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M7W1531769 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M8W1457116 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M9W1449283 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M5W1442797 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52MXW1612751 1998 Buick Century Limited2G4WY52M7W1610695 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M3W1458724 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M7W1523364 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M2W1454535 1998 Buick Century Custom2G4WS52M3W1507176

Other Buick Century model years

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1993

1998 Buick Century — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Buick Century have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 1998 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Century?

Based on 251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, service brakes, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Buick Century get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1998 Buick Century at about 21 mpg combined (17 city / 27 highway).

How much is a 1998 Buick Century worth?

Comparable 1998 Buick Century listings run roughly $650–$1,750, typically around $1,156 (from 16 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.