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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1998 Buick Century Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
12%of 218 total for the year
Median mileage
48,148miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Buick Century, 12% of the 218 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,148 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The vehicle drifted to the left, noises seemed to have been coming from the steering, the power steering locked up, the rack and pinion had gone out and leaked, the A/C control was inoperative, the seat belt button latch had fallen and the button was missing, the wheel alignment was out of specifics, the driver door was hard to open, the panel had moved when the window was rolled down, the power window(s) were inoperative, the shifter goes in and out, the right front door exterior trim was hard to open, the passengers seat coushin was too soft and had collapsed, and the door's mirror was…”

NHTSA complaint #566331, filed 2002-03, 54,696 miles

“I attempted to back up out of the garage to go to an evening function. The car seemed to resist the reverse procedure. After exiting the car and continuing to receive continuing resistance to reverse or in drive I exited the car. I could see no problem with obstacles. My neighbor, who was walking her dog, said that the rear wheels were not turning. I attempted several times to go forward but could not. Therefore, I forced the car back into the garage with the rear wheels screeching at the forward movement into the garage. This is where the car is at present. …”

NHTSA complaint #757094, filed 2002-01

“Started engine,no reverse, no forward; turned engine off, waited 30 seconds or so; turned engine on, shifted to drive- ok, shifted reverse - ok. Brought to dealer on 4/5/99. Told today 4/9/99 that a ring in transmission popped out. My question is: if a ring did pop out the first time I shifted, did it pop back in again after shutting of engine and restarting? My mechanic at my local garage has heard of the same problem several times,but in those cases (GM cars) it was a problem with a computer part. Thank you..”

NHTSA complaint #705456, filed 1999-04

“Had shifted vehicle into reverse when the dashboard lights came on. Was unable to steer forward or reverse. Turned vehicle off after shifting into park. Vehicle reset itself. It's was intermitten problem. Would hesitate at 50-55mph. At an intersection vehicle would stop running. Took to dealership & mechanic suspected electrical problem. On diagnostic machine & nothing found.”

NHTSA complaint #862707, filed 2000-05

“Again nearly 20 times when reverse when activated, the car did not go into reverse but the engine roared louder. Until the gears were taken out of reverse and then put back did it finally engaged. This has happened nearly 20 times since aug 1999. Twice on dec 25,1999, when reverse did not engage, car stalled when taking out of reverse gear. It has not reoccurred with the stalling out.”

NHTSA complaint #717122, filed 2000-01

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200515%
200365%
200275%
20012114%
20004825%
1999115%
19982612%
199722%
199679%
19951111%
199455%
199359%
1992613%
199138%
199013%
198816%
1987311%
198615%

Other parts of the 1998 Buick Century

Brakes
29 complaints
Electrical system
26 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaints
Steering
24 complaints
Engine cooling
22 complaints
Exterior lighting
21 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Fuel system
12 complaints
Seat belts
12 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Air bags
10 complaints
Equipment
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Buick Century

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology