1996 Buick Century: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 80 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I went to turn my wheel and it wouldn't turn left then the rack and pinion broke the wheel just turns 360 to the left but no movement in turning lost all steering”Owner report · Steering · May 2022
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick century. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt was too tight and causes her to choke. She noticed bruises on her neck. She took the vehicle to several dealers requesting that they adjust or change the seat belt. The dealers stated that they were unable to adjust or change the seat belt due to the design. They further stated that there were no failures with the seat belt. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that someone would review the report; however, they would not assist since there is no recall. The failure mileage was 70,000 and current mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2009
“1996 buick century. Automatic door locks will lock when the car is in gear and idling. Driver mistakenly got out of car with the car in gear and idling. The automatic door locks immediately locked the driver out of the car. Driver had to bust window to shut the car off before car rolled into building. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“When the brake pedal was depressed it failed to stop the vehicle. The pedal didn't depress which resulted in consumer's vehicle rear ending another vehicle. Dealership inspected the brakes, and indicated that the power booster failed, and a check valve in the anti lock brake system froze up. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2004
“Consumer requested his vehicle be included in the power steering recall. *ph the consumer had extensive power steering work performed on the vehicle. The consumer was informed that his vehicle was assembled with a w body which was the body for the basis of the recall. *jb *sc *jb”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2004
“In 2003 I had the air bag system of my 1996 buick century wagon serviced at ragsdale chevrolet in spencer, ma. The initial reason for bringing the car in for servicing was that the airbag light was on. The mechanics of ragsdale chevrolet then went through the system and replaced the sensors. The cost of the repairs was very high and seemed legitimate and the airbag light was no longer on. On january 23, 2004 I was involved in a front end collission wherein I was cut-off at an intersection by an suv. My front struck his car broadside. The airbag system failed to fully deploy the bag and in fact no part of the air bag exited the steering wheel. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2004
“Noise would come from the engine while driving, dealer notified, and unable to correct the problem. Feel free to provide any further information. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2002
“While pulling into driveway vehicle started to accelerate when brake was applied. Dealer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2002
“Consumer noticed fluid leaking while vehicle was parked. Took vehicle to a mechanic, and mechanic indicated that head gaskets were leaking.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2002
“Consumer pullred out of driveway and proceeded down the road, not 100 yards from driveway smoke began coming out of the vents on the passenger side, the driver and passenger exited vehicle then it caught fire, possible engine failure may have caused the accident. Nlm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
How other years compare
Check your exact Century by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Buick Century reliable?
NHTSA has 80 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Buick Century. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Buick Century problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,550 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Buick Century have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.