1978 Buick Century Recalls

1. Recall Description

   REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE AXLES THAT WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE VEHICLE.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE BUFFALO PLANT. IF SO, THEY WILL MAKE AXLE MEASUREMENTS AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE OR MODIFY AFFECTED AXLE COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; REAR AXLE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD LEAD TO LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1977-08-01 - 1980-07-01

   Vehicles Affected

   3100000

2. Recall Description

   EXCESSIVE ENLARGEMENT OF THE WHEEL CYLINDER PILOT HOLE IN THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE COULD ALLOW THE WHEEL CYLINDER TO ROTATE AND CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID LEADS TO LOSS OF REAR BRAKE ACTION, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. FRONT BRAKES WOULD REMAIN OPERATIONAL.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   ADD A PART TO PREVENT WHEEL CYLINDER FROM ROTATING.

   Notes

   NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1985 AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 30, 1985.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MIDSIZE PASSENGER CARS AND SMALL TRUCKS. SYSTEM: REAR BRAKES.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   -

   Vehicles Affected

   1810000

3. Recall Description

   THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.

   Notes

   SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE FRACTURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION,IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1977-08-01 - 1980-12-01

   Vehicles Affected

   5821160

4. Recall Description

   THE HUB PORTION OF THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS GENERATED DURING ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS. EVENTUALLY, THE BLADE COULD BREAK APART AT THE HUB AND BLADE PIECES COULD BE PROPELLED INTO THE ENGINE. IF THE HOOD IS OPEN WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE FRAGMENTS WOULD BE FREE TO FLY FROM THE VEHICLE.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ENGINE COOLING; FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FAN FAILURE COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS IN THEENGINE AREA, OR PERSONAL INJURY TO BYSTANDERS IF THE HOOD IS OPEN AT THE TIME.NOTE: THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SERVICED WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND THE ENGINERUNNING UNTIL THE DEFECT IS CORRECTED.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1977-08-01 - 1978-01-01

   Vehicles Affected

   333619

5. Recall Description

   THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS", IN THAT THE TIRE PLACARD DOES NOT CONTAIN LEGIBLE TIRE SIZE INFORMATION.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   DEALER WILL PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR THE OWNER TO INSTALL, OR FOR DEALER INSTALLATION, IF PREFERRED.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; CERTIFICATION LABELS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE OWNER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE TIRE LABEL TOSELECT REPLACEMENT TIRES. TIRES OF INADEQUATE LOADING CAPACITY MAY BE SELECTED.THIS COULD LEAD TO AN OVERLAODED VEHICLE, TIRE FAILURE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROLAND AN ACCIDENT.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   -

   Vehicles Affected

   100

6. Recall Description

   UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT WHEEL OUTER BEARING AREA WHICH CAN AFFECT THE WHEEL BEARING GREASE. THIS CAN RESULT IN INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE BEARING. THIS CONDITION MAY BE FURTHER AGGRAVATED BY IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE NUT.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   THE DEALER WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT WHEEL OUTER BEARINGS PACKED WITH GREASE AND THE SPINDLE WILL BE COATED WITH LUBRICANT. NEW GREASE RETAINER CAPS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO MAINTAIN GREASE IN OUTER BEARING. THIS WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; WHEELS; BEARING GREASE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE ALONG WITHINADEQUATE LUBRICATION MAY CAUSE FAILURE OF THE FRONT WHEEL OUTER BEARING ANDTHE SPINDLE. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT MAY RESULT.NOTE: BEARING AND SPINDLE FAILURE MAY BE PRECEDED BY A NOTICEABLE VIBRATION ANDNOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1977-08-01 - 1978-07-01

   Vehicles Affected

   1896222

7. Recall Description

   CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

   Possible Effects

   THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

   Action

   HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

   Notes

   CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION''S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   -

   Vehicles Affected

   121680