1996 Buick CENTURY: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014845 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. *MR *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016014 · 2003-04-16 (April 16, 2003)
THE FUEL LINE FAILED. THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016014 at NHTSA ↗
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 10042720 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING INFORMATION AS TO HOW TO OBTAIN FREE VEHICLE REPAIRS. *MR *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED AND CAUSED INJURY TO THE DRIVERS HEAD. THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042720 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 10054132 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THE VIN AND MODEL YEAR WAS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. #03V457000. *JB *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055249 · 2004-01-22 (January 22, 2004)
HAD ACCIDENT IN 1996 BUICK CENTURY WITH NO AUTO INSURANCE/ REQUESTING HELP GETTING VEHICLE REPAIRED.*MR CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH 1996 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING HELP IN GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. VEHICLE WAS NOT INSURED DURING THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.*MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055249 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V173000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1995-09-15 (September 15, 1995)
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."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗