Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
2G4WS52M8W1••••••1998 Buick CENTURY
This build draws 3.4× more complaints than the average 1998 Buick CENTURY build (14 vs 4).
14on this build
186on the model
45builds in total
Most reportedEngine And Engine Cooling 4Electrical System 2Service Brakes 2Hydraulic 2
What owners of this build wrote
Engine And Engine CoolingMar 2006
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…
VisibilityJun 2005
Dt: contact stated front driver side and two rear window regulators broke, causing the windows to stay down. The window regulators were being replaced
Service BrakesJul 2003
Consumer stated that while driving and without warning, brake fluid leaked from the rear wheel cylinder. Dealer notified. *ak the consumer felt that gm parts were of poor quality, as he owned a buick before, that had a number of problems at low mileage. The service dealer told…
Power TrainNov 1999
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.…
Unknown Or OtherNov 1998
Dashlights failed
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Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 45 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 2G4WS52M8W1549360 · decoded Sep 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.