RecallRepo

1997 Buick Century Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Buick Century has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 304,491 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VISIBILITY 99V348000 1999-12-16 155,149 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PLASTIC WATER DEFLECTOR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM AND INSTALL A WATER DEFLECTOR. ON VEHICLES RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT CRANK ARM AND NEW WATER DEFLECTOR, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY ADDITIONAL SEALING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE WATER DEFLECTION…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 98V102000 1998-05-15 149,342 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OWNER MANUALS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING DEVICE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
12
1crashes
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
8
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
6
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
5
AIR BAGS
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
1fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
4
STEERING
4
TIRES
4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
3
Total complaints132

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Engine compartment fire”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2017-02-15

“Engine compartment fire”

ENGINE · reported 2017-02-15

“Within 43 days of purchasing cooper grand touring cs5 tires for my 1997 buick century, one developed a large sidewall bulge. The retailer forced me to buy another new tire for $72. And cooper refused to pay for it! I have been driving cars for 40 years an never had a new tire or any tire develop a…”

TIRES · reported 2015-06-22

“When I backed out of parking space, I turned steering wheel with a "hard left." car made clicking noise. *tr”

STEERING · reported 2014-08-30

“Driving on I-95 southbound when I experienced a catastrophic tread separation to my driver's side rear tire. I was able to get my vehicle to the side of the road and signal help. Fortunately, I escaped this failure uninjured. *tr”

TIRES · reported 2013-03-05

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick century. The contact was driving 65 mph when the turn signal lights failed. The dealer was notified and stated they would not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a personal mechanic who noticed that there was smoke coming from the wiring of the turn…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH · reported 2011-07-01

“I was making a left turn and the steering locked and there was a loud bang. I wasn't able to complete the turn causing me to drive off the road and onto a lawn. The steering wheel wouldn't go back to the correct position and it seemed to be in manual steering mode. I could barely move the wheel.…”

STEERING · reported 2011-05-14

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick century. While the contact was driving approximately 75 mph the rpm's increased excessively. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was able to resume normally. The vehicle had not been respired at the time of the compliant. The failure and current…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2010-04-12

Defect investigations

Investigation EA03019 Opened 2003-09-15 · closed 2003-12-18

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS…

Investigation EA03019 Opened 2003-09-15 · closed 2003-12-18

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS…

Investigation EA99024 Opened 1999-08-20 · closed 2000-01-13

WINDSHIELD WIPER

BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 12, 1999, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA 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…

Investigation PE99028 Opened 1999-04-16 · closed 1999-08-20

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.

Investigation RQ03001 Opened 2003-01-02 · closed 2003-09-15

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS…

Investigation RQ03001 Opened 2003-01-02 · closed 2003-09-15

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Buick Century as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.