1996 Buick Century
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Buick › Century › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Buick Century. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1996 Buick Century. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
80 complaints6 involved a crash1 involved a fire7 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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
- 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…
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 been a disaster. my son-in-law has experienced the same problem with his 1995 oldsmobile ciera, although he believes that the squirrels around his home like to chew on the plastic gas lines. it seems to me that these old plastic gas lines represent an enormous risk to the safety of millions of people while they're not even in or near the source of ignition. they could, in fact, be in bed at the other end of the home when it all blows-up! *tr
- 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…
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 gas line failure on his 1996 oldsmobile ciera. *Tr
- Electrical system · 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…
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 light to go out, but obviously disables the ABS. we replaced the sensor (which requires that the whole bearing/stud assembly to be replaced), and then the ABS light went out. a gravel skid test revealed the ABS working fine and he says the normal braking IS now better too. some research reveals that the ABS detects no tire turning during a skid via the sensor, and releases hydraulic pressure to the brakes until the tire IS detected by the ABS as turning. we think that when a short to the sensor occurs, the sensor can't detect the tire turning again and thus the ABS unit never stops bleeding fluid pass the brake (and the initial short may even set off the ABS without an actual skid occurring - that IS without the sensor ever sensing a tire not turning). anyone having random near-total or total loss of brakes on this type of vehicle might do well to examine the wires and terminals leading to the ABS sensors - and replace suspicious units (we paid about $90 for a unit from a common auto parts chain). a gravel skid test might also reveal an ABS system not working even though there IS no ABS warning light lit. replacing the bearing/stud/abs sensor assembly IS moderately hard. *Tr
- 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…
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.
- Steering · Suspension › Front
I have a 1996 buick that recently developed a problem with the power steering. The rack in the rack and pinion steering system will not allow the car to turn left. I researched this problem on the internet and found many instances of this problem with many general motors vehicles. I contacted gm…
I have a 1996 buick that recently developed a problem with the power steering. The rack in the rack and pinion steering system will not allow the car to turn left. I researched this problem on the internet and found many instances of this problem with many general motors vehicles. I contacted gm with my concerns and I was told by their representative that they acknowledge the problem IS widespread with this model of vehicle, but they are not able to help with the repair costs nor issue a consumer alert of a possible danger of a catastrophic failure of the power steering in many of their vehicles. I was lucky not to be involved in an accident, but I cannot drive my car now. I wish the government would investigate the incidents I have outlined as there IS a definite possibility of a fatal accident happening with all 1996 - 1998 buick products. The problem results in complete failure to control the car while trying to turn left. If the problem would be with the power steering pump, the car could still turn, but in manual mode. This problem will not allow the car to turn to the left. This could be disastrous for someone. Gm said they were aware of many problems with this but would not do anything to remedy the situation or help pay for replacement of the rack. I feel that a recall would be in order if it would save lives. You can contact me for the name of the individual I spoke with and the reference number for my complaint to gm. *Tr
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
One of the vehicle's fuel lines leaked. *nm fuel line was unprotected. *tc
- Service brakes, hydraulic
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
- Air bags › Frontal
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…
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
- Steering › Rack and pinion
While attempting to turn left while backing in my driveway the steering wheel would not turn.*ak
- Power train
The transmition grinding, slipping & failures.
- Power train
Transmission are junk and they knew
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Excessive vibration when applying brakes. *Jb
- Steering › Rack and pinion
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
- Structure › Body
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
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
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
- Air bags
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Suspension
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
The fuel line failed. The dealer had no idea when the part would be available. *jb
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
The consumer stopped at an intersection and the rear window exploded. *mr *scc *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Noise would come from the engine while driving, dealer notified, and unable to correct the problem. Feel free to provide any further information. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer noticed fluid leaking while vehicle was parked. Took vehicle to a mechanic, and mechanic indicated that head gaskets were leaking.*ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10208027This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10171318This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10157018This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10113443This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10023171ABS pump running when not needed.
- 10000782Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure.
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 634708Subject regarding revised lower intake manifold installation.
- 620810Subject regarding polymer service pistons.
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 619360Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors.
- 615073Some V6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that IS generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not reappear until the next change of oil.
- 604343Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire.
- 601915Comments on a ticking type noise that begins shortly after cold engine start-up and gradually diminishes as the engine warms up.
- 601058Vehicles may exhibit a clattering noise at idle speed originating from the timing chain and front cover area.
- 600282Some vehicles may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire.
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
- 54328Experiencing intermittent steering column snap or click noise when turning.
- 54066Subject pertaining to driveability symptoms due to fuel injector deposits.
- 52935Information concerning engine knock/rattle or tap noise before engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies). Ak
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 51302Knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at rature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies).
- 51296Intermittent neutral or loss of drive at highway speeds or from fourth gear (replace control valve body assembly).
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
Every Buick Century model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.