1998 Buick Century engine problems

Filed Jul 2, 2010 · Engine · 59,721 miles · LA

Brought vehicle to dealership for brake inspection. Was informed the lower intake gasket was leaking coolant. Had it replaced by dealership on 03/07/2006. On 06/28/2010, the same issue seems to be re-occurring. Should an intake gasket need replacing 2x's under normal driving conditions?

Filed Apr 14, 2009 · Engine · IN

Buick century should be included in the recall list.

Filed Jan 1, 2007 · Engine · 47,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Oct 25, 2006 · Engine · 32,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Dec 2, 2004 · Engine · 63,000 miles · FL

The gasket has to be replaced. Anti-freeze leaked from the top, and dripped down onto the engine. However, took vehicle to dealer several times. The leak has not been found.

Filed May 20, 2004 · Airbags, Engine · CT · crash · 1 injury

While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was hit by another vehicle on the front passenger side. The consumer stated that both frontal air bags did not deploy upon impact. The driver sustained minor injuries as a result. *nm the consumer tried to avoid the accident but the steering wheel locked up and the vehicle shut off. *sc

Filed Feb 3, 2004 · Engine · 23,000 miles · NY

The intake gasket leaked antifreeze. Dealership replaced the gasket, but problem recurred within 23,000 miles. Gmc consumer representative informed the consumer of a recall on this issue, but consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. Recall not found in artemis.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 76,020 miles · OH

After noticing a few drops of dexcool coolant on the garage floor, I checked the reservoir. It was empty. I checked for leaky hoses or clamps, then noticed that around some gasket I could see where coolant was obviously oozing and some had pooled in a recess in the engine mold. Anyway, I refilled the reservoir with dexcool and took the car to a local repair shop before doing any damage. The repair bill came to over $900. The car is only 5 years old and it needs a new intake manifold gasket, how absurd. After surfing the web, I find that others have had fires and blown engines from the same problem. We were lucky, but my wife and daughter travel the local highways alot, what if they ran out of coolant while driving and the engine siezed, possibly causing an accident or at least stranding them. (3.1l v6)

Filed Dec 2, 2003 · Engine · 33,000 miles · OH

Upon starting engine warning light illuminated. The consumer started to drive 5 MPH and vehicle stalled. The vehicle did restart with no problem. Dealership was notified, but the problem was not solved.*ak engine stalled while going around a corner. Vehicle was repaired at a different dealership and parts are available.

Filed Oct 6, 2003 · Engine · OH

I own a 1998 buick century custom that I purchased new. My husband and I take good care of our cars; always do all the recommended maintenance. In february, our intake manifold gasket was replaced due to a leak and the car only had 76,000 miles on it. This cost us over $900. My husband has searched the web and found hundreds, if not thousands of similar complaints from other buick and gm product owners. Many are forming groups and filing petitions and class action law suits. My grandfather and uncle were car repairmen in the '70's. Even back then, it was unheard of to have intake manifold gaskets replaced. This is clearly a defect that gm needs to own up to. Please pursue gm through whatever channels you have to make them pay for this problem and fix it. I have heard of a few lucky folks who are getting reimbursed, it should be for all of us.