1996 Buick CENTURY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
75,550 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 44 complaints (11.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 9 | 20.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 15.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 5 |
| Suspension:Front | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 5; Suspension:Front: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1996: 4; 2000: 8; 2001: 6; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 11; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10042128 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRE BUT THEY DID NOT CORRECT THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. THE GEAR SELECTOR BECAME STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION PERIODICALLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *MR *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 26,134 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054126 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THERE'S A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THE VIN NUMBER AND MODEL YEAR IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE (RECALL # 03V457000). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064441 · 2004-04-02 (April 2, 2004)
EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087882 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
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-reported narrative. 80,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507578 · 1996-08-15 (August 15, 1996)
ENGINE SURGES OR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727683 · 2000-08-12 (August 12, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TWO TIMES ENGINE STALLED, AND ONE TIME WHILE STOPPING AT STOP SIGN IT STALLED
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069527 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
TRANSMISSION ARE JUNK AND THEY KNEW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801100 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND HIT A SMALL PIECE OF WOOD ON THE ROAD THAT BROKE OFF THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL TANK. PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801100 at NHTSA ↗