Buick Century Complaints (1998)

218 consumer complaints on file.

#10265339April 14, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BUICK CENTURY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258692February 15, 2009
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. MY LEFT WIPER BANGS A FEW INCHES UP THEN SMACKS BACK DOWN. THIS IS NOT SNOW RELATED BECAUSE I'VE LEARNER TO COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE WIPERS AND WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF MY FIRST TIME WAITING FOR SNOW TO MELT. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I ACQUIRED THE CAR FROM MY GRANDMOTHER IN DEC. 2008. SHE PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT IS TOO OLD TOO KEEP UP WITH RECALLS AND SUCH. I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AND I WAS ALMOST IN A CRASH WITH MY CHILDREN DUE TO A SUDDEN RAIN SHOWER CAUSING THE VISIBILITY TO BE AWFUL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241757September 10, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL PART STORES, BUT NONE OF THEM HAD THE NECESSARY PART FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241092September 5, 2008
SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASH BOARD LIGHT WHERE THE MILEAGE SHOWS. CANNOT SEE ANYTHING, THE LIGHT SUDDENLY WENT OUT AND CANNOT SEE MILES ON CAR. ALSO, AUTOMATIC BUTTON TO PUSH SEAT BACK AND FORTH IS NOT WORKING. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE THE SEAT IS PUSHED UP TO CLOSE TO THE FRONT . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230039June 5, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PAINT ON MY CAR KEEPS CHIPPING OFF AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203164September 17, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPLACING ALL OF THE PARTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198131August 1, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR ELECTRIC WINDOWS DO NOT OPERATE. HE STATED THAT THE WINDOWS CANNOT ROLL UP ONCE THEY ARE DOWN. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. HE HAS REPLACED THE REGULATOR COMPONENT, WHICH COST AN ESTIMATED $350. WHEN THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED, THE MECHANIC FAILED TO OFFER AN EXPLANATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. PRESENTLY, THE LEFT REAR WINDOW STILL MALFUNCTIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,225.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192495June 5, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE WHAT TYPE OF MODULE THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE. THE DEALER DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 104,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183579February 26, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. DURING JANUARY 2007 THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TRIED TO TURN THEM ON WITH THE ON OFF SWITCH BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD TURN ON WHILE HOLDING THE LEVER, BUT THE NORMAL HEAD BEAMS LIGHTS DID NOT. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT AFTER MOVING THE LIGHT LEVER THE NORMAL HEADLIGHT BEAMS TURNED ON. A MONTH AFTER THE FAILURE BEGAN THE HEAD LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON 2/25/07. THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS TOO SOON FOR A VEHICLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 119,000 MILES AND ABOUT 9 YEARS OLD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118500.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177435January 1, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING, LOSING BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST FOUR WEEKS. TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS, NONE BEING ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD, NOT ONLY TO MY DAUGHTER WHO IS THE PRINCIPLE DRIVER, BUT ALSO TO ALL DRIVERS/CARS DRIVING NEARBY, AS IT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173386November 13, 2006
TIRES
I BRING IN MY TIRES FOR AIR PRESSURE, AND TELL ME " THAT THE TIRES CRACKING". *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171781October 25, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
OVERHEATING ENGINE & TICKING SOUND. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT OF REPAIR. AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED SAME PROBLEM BUT THEN NEEDED OVER 600.00 IN REPAIRS. LATER SAME PROBLEM 300.00 IN REPAIRS. ALWAYS THERMOSTAT OR WATER PUMP. THE TEMP GAUGE GOES UP AND LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, SAME AS BEFORE, A MECHANIC WAS AT THE CAFE I WORK AT & LOOKED AT THE CAR. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR & THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM FROM THESE GM PRODUCTS MANY MANY TIMES AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE. ADDED COOLANT & IT LASTED A LITTLE WHILE. TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR SECOND OPINION & WAS TOLD THE SAME. THE TEMP LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON BUT THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON. THE TICKING GOT LOUDER AND TOOK TO DEALER FOR THEIR OPINION, ASK THEM TO CHECK THE COOLANT TO SEE IF OIL WAS IN IT. WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS FROM A STUCK LIFTER & THEY PUT IN A HEAVIER WEIGHT OIL & ADDITIVE TO OIL CHANGE & THAT THE FLUIDS LOOKED GOOD. 2 WEEKS LATER LET 4TH MECHANIC LOOK, HE PUT IS FINGER IN RADIATOR & SHOWED ME THE GUNK, SAID I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET & MORE. HE HAS SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. TOLD THAT GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, THAT THEY KNOW THEIR IS A PROBLEM AND DO NOTHING ABOUT IT AND TRY TO COVER IT UP. GM SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE IN THE PAST WEEKS. I DON'T WANT MONEY OR NEW CAR I JUST WANT MINE FIXED BY THE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE. THE DEALER HAS LIED TO ME ABOUT THIS & I AM VERY UPSET, THIS IS WHY MY SON AND I ARE FREEZING TO DEATH IN THE CAR, THE GUNK HAS GUNKED UP EVERYTHING IT HAS COME IN CONTACT WITH, INCLUDING THE HEATING CORE. ACCORDING TO ONE COMPLAINT A VERY GOOD MECHANIC HAS DECIDED THAT THEIR ARE TWO PROBLEMS ONE AFFECTING THE OTHER. A COOLING SYSTEM GROUNDING PROBLEM, ELECTROLYSIS RESULTING IN CORROSION & DISINTEGRATION OF PARTS AND GASKETS & THEN DEXCOOL WHICH IS UNSTABLE IN AN ELECTRICALLY CHARGED ENVIRONMENT & TURNS IT IN TO GOOP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164945August 8, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM ON MY 1998 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET AT ABOUT 40 MPH. FAILURE CAUSED HANDLING ISSUES. BUICK DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THE ABS MOTOR POWER PACK AND THE MODULATOR HAVE GONE BAD. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151813March 5, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE POWER STEERING ON MY BUICK ONLY HAS POWER ASSIST WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT THE STEERING BINDS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146200December 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO. WITHIN THAT TIME, NONE OF OUR WINDOWS WORK. IT BEGAN WITH THE TWO BACK WINDOWS NOT ROLLING DOWN AND ONCE THEY WERE DOWN, NOT ABLE TO GO BACK UP. MY FATHER THOUGHT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING. HE PROCEEDED TO DISCONNECT THE BACK WINDOWS. THEN THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW WOULD DO THE SAME THING: ROLL DOWN AND THEN NOT GO UP, OR NOT EVEN ROLL DOWN AT ALL. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A FUSED. INDEED THE FUSE WAS VERY HOT WHEN REMOVING IT. NOW, NONE OF MY WINDOWS ROLL DOWN. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL THE MECHANISMS AT OUR COST. HOPING TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE OFF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140464October 21, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WE HAVE A 1998 BUICK CENTURY WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. THE INFORMATION IN COMPLAINTS 10137627 AND 10134068 ARE VERY SIMILAR TO OUR TWO EXPERIENCES. IN JUNE 2004 THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW JUST FELL AND COULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE REAR WINDOW ON THE SIDE DID THE SAME THING A YEAR LATER. BOTH WERE SPONTANEOUS. EACH REPAIR WAS ABOUT $500.00. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO BUICK WHICH WAS SUMMARILY DISMISSED BECAUSE THE CAR IS "OLD" AND IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO EACH WINDOW ONCE. (AS AN ASIDE MY WIFE'S BROTHER HAS THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO THREE OF HIS WINDOWS. THE TWO VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED FROM THE SAME DEALER ABOUT 4 MONTHS APART) I HAVE ACCESSED SOME INFORMATION MENTIONED IN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS SO I NEED NOT REPEAT IT HERE. I BELIEVE BUICK HAS IN INHERENT DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR CHANGED AT NO COST. IT WAS HOWEVER REPLACED WITH THE SAME HARDWARE. OUR GRANDCHILDREN RIDE IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THIS FAILURE COULD ENDANGER THEM. YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137627October 18, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. POWER WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. ALL 4 WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. WITHIN 2 MONTHS ALL 4 WINDOWS HAVE BEEN CHECKED . THE DEALER WORKED ON 3 WINDOWS . THEY FAILED AT 70, 000 MILES . THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR WINDOWS TO BE FIXED. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134068August 24, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WE HAVE 2 BUICK CENTURY AUTOMOBILES; A 1998 AND A 2001. BOTH HAVE POWER WINDOWS. POWER WINDOW UNITS IN BOTH AUTOS FAILED THIS SUMMER. A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE THAT CONNECTS THE REGULATOR CABLE TO THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR BREAKS ALLOWING THE WINDOW TO SLIP DOWN AND NOT BE CLOSED. THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE SINCE BUICK DOES NOT SELL THE CONNECTOR DEVISE; INSTEAD IT REQUIRES CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE A COMPLETE ''DEALER ONLY'' POWER WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY FOR OVER $300. SINCE MAY WE HAVE HAD 50% OF OUR POWER WINDOWS GO OUT ON THE 1998 BUICK CENTURY AND ONE GO OUT ON THE 2001; WITHOUT THE MONEY TO PURCHASE THE DEALER PART HAVE HAD TO HAVE A MECHANIC PROP THE WINDOWS IN THE CLOSED POSITION WITH A WOODEN DOWEL. SINCE ONE OF THESE WINDOWS IS THE DRIVER''S WINDOW WE BELIEVE THAT THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THAT HE SEES A LOT OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE ''THIS IS A BAD DESIGN''. MY DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO HEAT, HOWEVER THEY DO SELL BUICK''S WITH THIS WINDOW DESIGN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING AREAS WHERE HEAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED IN THE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING. A GOOGLE SEARCH CAME UP WITH OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ON THIS PART. THE BUICK DISCUSSION BOARD ON THIS SHOWS A 50% FAILURE RATE IN THEIR OWN SURVEY. I BELIEVE THAT GM HAS AN OBLIGATION TO DEVELOP AN IMPROVED VERSION OF THE PLASTIC PART AND AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE THAT PART AVAILABLE TO ALLOW THE ASSEMBLY TO BE REPAIRED INSTEAD OF COMPLETELY REPLACED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND CONSIDER A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE FAILURE PRONE PLASTIC PARTS WITH METAL PARTS THAT WILL WITHSTAND ORDINARY USE IN ALL CLIMATE CONDITIONS FOUND IN THE UNITED STATES. WE ARE CONCERNED BOTH ABOUT THE COST AND THE SAFETY OF DRIVING AROUND IN AN AUTOMOBILE THAT EITHER CANNOT BE LOCKED AND SECURED OR IN A VEHICLE WITH A WINDOW THAT CAN NOT BE OPENED IN AN EMERGENCY IF THE OWNER IS UNABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIRS AND IS FORCED TO SIMPLY PROP THE WINDOW IN THE UP, LOCKED AND SECURE POSITION. THANK YOU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129635July 21, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
1998 BUICK CENTURY STEERING FAILED & CANNOT TURN LEFT EVENT HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED IN PARKING LOT AND NO DAMAGE RESULTED. DEALER WILL NOT COVER REPAIR OF VEHICLE WITH A 'W' DESIGNATION. ALTHOUGH THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THEY TO HAVE SAME STEERING RELATED DEFECTS AS CARS THAT RECEIVED RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125656June 17, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DT: CONTACT STATED FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND TWO REAR WINDOW REGULATORS BROKE, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO STAY DOWN. THE WINDOW REGULATORS WERE BEING REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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