NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Problems

4.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,968 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Buick Century engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Buick Century Owner Comments

problem #8

Mar 072006

Century

  • 59,721 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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?

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #7

Dec 282006

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles
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.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #6

Nov 052003

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
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. Engine stalled while going around a corner. Vehicle was repaired at a different dealership and parts are available.

- Johnstown, OH, USA

problem #5

Feb 192003

Century

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #4

Aug 142003

Century

  • miles
Consumer is having problems with fuel injection system:injectors. One year ago she had them replaced by the local mechanic, then twice they were cleaned by the dealer. Afterwards, she had to have 3 of them replaced. All of this because the engine light came on, stating that engine needed to be serviced soon. All of this started when vehicle started to jerk, and she had it checked. Consumer would like to have help with all of this servicing.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #3

Feb 192003

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,020 miles
I own a 1998 Buick Century custom. I am the original owner and am very good about proper maintenance. Last week my husband noticed a few drops of coolant on the garage floor. He cleaned it up and agin the next day, a few more drops. He checked the hose clamps and hose conditions, they were fine. He checked the reservoir where you put in dexcool, it was dry. He filled the reservior and drove the car immediately to our local mechanic so we would not do any engine damage. After 2 days and $800, the car has been fixed. Now I notice when searching the web, there are thousands of reports very similar to mine. Unfortunately, I also noticed many where there were fires or accidents. GM has to fix this and at least partially reimburse those like me who have had to pay major repair bills.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #2

Oct 252000

Century

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light started flashing on dashboard. Consumer parked vehicle, and dealership determined that 5th fuel injector was defective, and a spark plug was inoperative. On second occurrence, while traveling at approximately 50 mph, engine started misfiring, and engine check light came on. Then, engine suddenly died, causing consumer to lose power steering capabilities. Dealership examined vehicle, and found 4th fuel injector to be defective. Had to change oil because fuel leaked into T crank case.

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #1

May 011998

Century

  • miles
Oil pan leaking.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

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