1996 Buick Century Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Buick Century recalls

Most common 1996 Buick Century problems

Problem areas named in the 80 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	15
Fuel System, Gasoline	10
Visibility	10
Steering	10
Vehicle Speed Control	9
Engine And Engine Cooling	9
Structure	8
Suspension	7
Power Train	7
Electrical System	6

What owners report

2022-05-10, Steering
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

2014-06-27, Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE BACKING INTO MY DAUGHTER'S ATTACHED GARAGE, THE GAS LINE RUPTURED AND LEAKED A LOT OF GASOLINE BEFORE I SHUT-OFF THE IGNITION. I PROMPTLY RE-STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE, UNWITTINGLY RISKING IGNITING THE GASOLINE IN THE PROCESS, BUT STILL AFRAID OF THE GAS/FUMES IN THE GARAGE IGNITING AND BURNING US, THE CAR AND THE HOUSE DOWN! WE GOT A WATER HOSE AND BROOM AND SWEPT AS MUCH OF IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AS WE COULD. WE WERE LUCKY. THE POINT OF THIS COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF G M CARS BEING DRIVEN AND PARKED IN GARAGES WITH QUITE OLD, DETERIORATING GAS LINES WHOSE DRIVERS ARE TOTALLY UNAWARE OF IT. OUR EXPERIENCE, ALONE, COULD HAVE BE

2013-05-07, Fuel/Propulsion System
STARTED CAR AND GASOLINE STARTED GUSHING OUT FROM BENEATH THE CAR BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE FRONT WHEEL-WELL. AS THE CAR WAS PARTLY IN THE GARAGE, I DROVE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THIS STOPPED THE FLOW OF GASOLINE. A MECHANIC LATER DETERMINED THAT THE PLASTIC GAS LINE HAD FAILED AND, AFTER CUTTING-OFF THE DAMAGED PART, HE SPLICED THE LINE BACK TOGETHER WITH A BRASS COUPLING. THAT SEEMS TO HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE PROBLEM, FOR NOW. THE REALLY SCARY THING IS THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GM CARS "OUT THERE" IN GARAGES AND ON THE ROAD WITH DETERIORATING PLASTIC GAS LINES! PROBABLY SOME OTHER BRANDS, AS WELL. AN ACQUAINTANCE OF MINE HAD THE SAME G

2011-06-18, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DRIVING TOWARDS A STOPLIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ON A 1996 BUICK CENTURY. PUMPING GAVE ONLY PARTIAL REAR BRAKING. DROVE TO FRIEND'S HOUSE (DURING WHICH THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY THE WHOLE WAY). WE PULLED THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FIBROUS FINELY WOVEN TUBE COVER (FIBERGLASS?) TO THE EXTREMELY THIN AND FRAGILE WIRES TO ABS SENSOR LOOKED BURNT. CUTTING IT OFF WE DISCOVERED THE WIRES INSIDE HAD SHORTED OUT. WHEN WE CLEARED THE SHORT AND INDIVIDUALLY WRAP INSULATED THE WIRES, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT THEN CAME ON. A GRAVEL SKID TEST REVEALED NO ABS AT ALL. WE FOUND THAT DEAD SHORTING THE WIRE TO THE SENSOR WITH A JUMPER WIRE WILL CAUSE THE ABS WARNING LIGH

2009-05-11, Seat Belts
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.

1996 Buick Century questions

Does the 1996 Buick Century have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1996 Buick Century: Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Buick Century?

Based on 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes, Hydraulic (15), Fuel System, Gasoline (10), Visibility (10).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Buick Century has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.