IllustrationCONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND IT WILL HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE DURING RAINY WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
1998 Buick Century
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Century years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Buick Century are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Century years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
1425–50K
1550–75K
1175–100K
10100–150K
1150K+
59 reports with mileage · 159 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports
Visibility complaints
24 reportsIN SUDDEN DOWNPOUR (APPROACHING TORNADO) OUTSIDE OF NASHVILLE THIS A.M. VISIBILITY WAS SEVERLY REDUCED WITH WIPERS ON LOWER SETTING. WHEN WIPERS TURNED TO HIGH TO INCREASE VISIBILITY WIPERS LOCKED AND STRIPPED, FORCING DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. …
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IN SUDDEN DOWNPOUR (APPROACHING TORNADO) OUTSIDE OF NASHVILLE THIS A.M. VISIBILITY WAS SEVERLY REDUCED WITH WIPERS ON LOWER SETTING. WHEN WIPERS TURNED TO HIGH TO INCREASE VISIBILITY WIPERS LOCKED AND STRIPPED, FORCING DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN MARCH 2001 - RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE USED VEHICLE. WE ENCOUNTERED HEAVY RAIN AT INTERSTATE SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE WIPERS LOCKED TOGETHER AND THE MECHANISM STRIPPED THE RIGHT WIPER SO THAT IT WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION. UPON RESUMING DRIVING WITH JUST THE LEFT WIPER, THE LEFT WIPER THEN PROCEEDED TO GO OFF THE WINDSHIELD ENTIRELY AND DRIVER HAD TO PULL OFF THE ON THE SIDE TO TIGHTEN BOLT. THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE REMEMBERED THE FIRST INCIDENT AND NEVER USES THE HIGHER WIPER SETTINGS SO HAS NOT INCURRED ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. THE AUXILIARY DRIVER, MYSELF, HAD FORGOTTEN THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE HIGHEST SETTING MAKES FOR DANGEROUS VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN THOUGH AND THE DESIGN OF THE WIPER OPERATION SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS EVEN BEING ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE IS SEVERELY HAMPERED. *AK
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 …
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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 LOOSE. THE SERVICE DEALER HAD FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. SCC
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CONDENSATION COLLECTS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS REDUCING VISIBILITY THROUGH THESE WINDOWS TO NEAR ZERO AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE APPROACHING TRAFFIC. THE GLAZING MATERIALS AROUND BOTH WINDOWS (WEATHERSTRIPPING) DO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS DURING RAISING OR LOWERING. T…
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UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CONDENSATION COLLECTS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS REDUCING VISIBILITY THROUGH THESE WINDOWS TO NEAR ZERO AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE APPROACHING TRAFFIC. THE GLAZING MATERIALS AROUND BOTH WINDOWS (WEATHERSTRIPPING) DO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS DURING RAISING OR LOWERING. THEREFORE, THE CONDENSATION CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDOWS WITHOUT EXITING THE CAR AND MANUALLY CLEANING THE SURFACE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE CONDENSATION COLLECTS WHILE I AM TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, IT IS NECESSARY FOR ME TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND CLEAN THE SURFACE OF BOTH WINDOWS IN ORDER TO PROCEED SAFELY. THE DEALER WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT WITHIN 60 DAYS OF MY PURCHASE. AT THAT TIME, I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP THAT THE WINDOWS WERE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY AND THAT ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE SHOP REPORTED THAT THE CORRECTIONS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT, BUT THE DEFECTB WAS NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO OTHER DEALERS AND RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE DEFECT CORRECTED. EACH TIME I HAVE RECEIVED A DIFFERENT RESPONSE. IN SEPTEMBER 1999, I NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER (BUICK DIVISION OF GM) OF THIS AND OTHER SAFETY DEFECTS, BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. LATE LAST MONTH I RETURNED AGAIN TO BROWN'S BUICK TO SEEK REPAIRS, AND I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THE WINDOWS ARE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE OF THE WINDOW SYSTEMS AND RELATED MATERIALS TO CLEAR THE CONDENSATION THAT PERIODICALLY COLLECTS ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE HAD SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT, NO CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE. *AK
AT 7:00 PM (DARK AND HEAVY RAIN), WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN MOTION AND RIGHT WIPER LOCKED INTO LEFT DURING HEAVY RAIN CREATING ZERO VISIBILITY.
PPG, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE 1998 AND 1999 BUICK CENTURY WINDSHIELDS IS MANUFACTURING THE WINDSHILEDS WITH A LATENT DEFECT, WHICH CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD VIEW TO BE HAZY WHEN DRIVING DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN. IT APPEARS THAT THE LAMINATE LAYERING BETWEEN THE GLASS SHEETS HAS FAILED. I ALSO NOTICED THIS SAME DEFECT ON A 1999 CENTURY A…
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PPG, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE 1998 AND 1999 BUICK CENTURY WINDSHIELDS IS MANUFACTURING THE WINDSHILEDS WITH A LATENT DEFECT, WHICH CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD VIEW TO BE HAZY WHEN DRIVING DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN. IT APPEARS THAT THE LAMINATE LAYERING BETWEEN THE GLASS SHEETS HAS FAILED. I ALSO NOTICED THIS SAME DEFECT ON A 1999 CENTURY AS WELL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THE DEFECT BUT GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER ZONE REP WAS UNWILLING TO PROCEED FURTHER. THE DEFECT WILL PROBABLY NOT CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS, BUT MAY IMPAIR OR DISTORT A PERSON'S CLARITY OF VIEW, WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN.
WHEN THE WIINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR COMES INTO THE DRIVER. WHEN THE WINDOW IS ROLLED UP, IT WILL JERK /AM AND PULL THE DOOR TO ITS NORMAL CONDITION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
DEFROSTER CONTROL SWITCH FAILED. *YC
DRIVER EXPERIENCING GLARE IN WINDSHILED.
THE WINDSHIELD ANGLE AND DESIGN RESULTS IN VISION BEING OBSCURED DUE TO REFLECTION.
Official recalls
299V356000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Dec 17, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE VERTICAL HEAD LAMP ADJUSTING DEVICE MAY NOT BE CALIBRATED PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.
98V102000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
May 15, 1998
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
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 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
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 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Steering:rack And Pinion
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 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
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 SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
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 SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
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 SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
EA99024 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 20, 1999 · Closed Jan 13, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
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 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.
PE99028 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Apr 16, 1999 · Closed Aug 20, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
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.