Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Buick Century owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Buick Century. While the vehicle was being operated, the brakes and steering column seized. As a result, the vehicle was involved in a front end crash. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained short term memory loss, a concussion, and several unknown injuries that required medical attention. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign numbers: 09e005000 (steering) and 03V527000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was not provided.
I was driving approx. 15 MPH down driveway at work-car oversteered crashing into side of building-impact so intense my head hit rearview mirror, breaking it and windshield. Entire underside of car (frame, tie rod, suspension,etc.) is damaged. Nationwide ins. Investigator provided me with a copy of GM monthly newsletter issued 11/17/97 regarding power steering fluid leak from magnasteer acutator pigtail area for 1998 w,c,g &h body vehicles. The leak originates from the wiring harness for the magna steer actuator, causing vehicle to oversteer. The correction suggested is to replace the rack and pinion steering gear and follow up with vme product report. My car has been at cook Buick every 3000 to 3500 miles for routine maintenance, including fluid level checks, and this was never caught. According to the insurance investigator, my car has been leaking for approximately 6 months. …
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
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Century. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The power steering was not functioning. However, the driver was able to maintained control the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Buick Century. The contact stated he intermittently had to apply heavy force to the steering wheel in order to turn the wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was told the failure was resulting from the lower pinion bearings. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 132,500 and the current mileage was 133,000.
While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was hit by another vehicle on the front passenger side. The consumer stated that both frontal air bags did not deploy upon impact. The driver sustained minor injuries as a result. The consumer tried to avoid the accident but the steering wheel locked up and the vehicle shut off.
While driving at either slow speed, and/or fast speed, it feels as though the power steering fails. This has occurred while changing lanes on the highway as well as making slow turns in the neighborhood. I have made sure my power steering level is full to the proper level several times, and have adjusted it at once.
1998 Buick Century steering failed & cannot turn left event happened at low speed in parking lot and no damage resulted. Dealer will not cover repair of vehicle with a 'w' designation. Although there is evidence that they to have same steering related defects as cars that received recall or service bulletin.
While driving consumer heard a loud noises from rear suspension. The rod spindle rod shearing caused by chatting against right stabilizer shaft mounting bolt stop. (inboard side of the rear suspension support) the right side had insufficient clearance.
While driving less than 5 MPH and turning left into a parking space, the vehicle lost power. This made it hard to steer and turn the vehicle. Once the vehicle was inspected, the consumer was informed that rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced.
NHTSA investigations
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 sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
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 750,283.GM determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion…
Steering complaints in other Century years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Buick Century?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Buick Century, 11% of the model year's 218 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Buick Century steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1998 Buick Century, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Buick Century steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.