After a snowfall, the windshield wipers would not park, stood straight up and obstructed my view. I called buick and was told to take it to my dealership and it would be repaired. When I picked up the car, they told me that the previous year's model had been recalled for this problem. They would not repair the wipers. I have been told by two mechanics that my car has the exact issue as the previous model. I find that this is a danger to myself, my children and other drivers/passengers and feel that it should be on the recall list.
1998 Buick Century visibility problems
25 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 54,696.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 54,696
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Power window devices and controls7
- Windshield6
- Windshield wiper/washer4
- Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: windshield: electrical heating element2
- Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Buick Century visibility problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Buick Century visibility
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Windshield wiper
By letter dated december 12, 1999, gm notified the federal safety agency of its plans to conduct a safety related defect campaign to remedy 155,149 of the subject vehicles.the vehicle population for the campaign includes the 1997 buick regal/century and pontiac gran prix models built during the period from the start of production through may 1, 1997.gm determined that the wipers installed prior to this date could stop working, usually during heavy load conditions, due to separation between the drive pin and the crescent in the wiper crank arm assembly.effective may 1, 1997,gm corrected this problem in production by modifying the drive pin and strengthening the crescent.these same improved parts will be installed in the vehicles to be recalled.the scope of the campaign will include all vehicles produced prior to the may 1, 1997 correction (the oldsmobile intrique production did not start until after may 1, 1997, and is therefore not included).vehicles with the scope of this investigation and produced after may 1, 1997, contain the more robust crescent and improved pin design and are not included in the recall campaign.odi will continue to monitor complaint reports on the vehicles produced after may 1, 1997 and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.based on gm's recall action (odi 99v‑348) this investigation is closed.
EA99024
Windshield wiper
Incidents of wiper failure (owner reports and warranty) are very high, and many of the reports indicate that the failures are still occurring in 1999.
PE99028
What 1998 Buick Century owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick century. The contact attempted to roll up all four windows but only the rear driver's side window responded. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that the window motors and tracks would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred intermittently on the front passenger side window. The failure mileage was 11,000 and the current mileage was 50,000. Updated 4/1/11 *cn updated 1/13/2012 *ln
Power window and mirror issues in 1998 buick century. I have been dealing with this problem since 2004, I've been told by multiple mechanics that it's a known issue with the buick century, why is there no recall? The windows keep coming off the track, I drive on smooth roads and follow the speed limit, so what is going on???? My power mirrors haven't worked since 2004. Drivers side window is the one that's given me the worst headache, put in a new motor thinking that's why it was sticking and then it quit working again. Please look into this issue, it's not safe.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Dt: contact stated front driver side and two rear window regulators broke, causing the windows to stay down. The window regulators were being replaced.
The above the dashboard was leaking black fluid this caused the mirror go black. The driver was able to drive to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed that the driver that the heat caused the problem and a replacement of a recall was not for this vehicle. The consumer has to rendered payment for the part and labor. Please fill in additional information.,
Questions about the 1998 Buick Century visibility
Does the 1998 Buick Century have visibility problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Buick Century, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Buick Century visibility problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 54,696 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Buick Century visibility?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Buick Century have the most visibility problems?
The Buick Century model years with the most visibility complaints are 1999 (30 complaints), 1998 (25 complaints) and 2000 (23 complaints).
Other 1998 Buick Century problems
Brakes 29Electrical 26Transmission 26Steering 24Engine 23Lights 23Fuel system 12Seat belts 12Body 11Airbags 10Suspension 8Tires 6Acceleration 5Seats 3Locks 2Wheels 2
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