1996 Buick Century Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1996 Buick Century, and owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
- 1973
- 1974
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- 1977
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1 safety recall for the 1996 Buick Century
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Anchorage (seat belts)
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.
80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Buick Century have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA; 6 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 7 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 92,375 miles. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 14 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 complaint to NHTSA, May 10, 2022 · Steering
“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, unwi”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 27, 2014 · Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Buick Century. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21–24 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–21 / 26–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.2/3.1 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Buick Century model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Buick Century model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 Buick Century | 3 | 0 |
| 1974 Buick Century | 2 | 0 |
| 1975 Buick Century | 2 | 0 |
| 1976 Buick Century | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 Buick Century | 3 | 0 |
| 1978 Buick Century | 6 | 0 |
| 1979 Buick Century | 5 | 0 |
| 1980 Buick Century | 5 | 0 |
| 1981 Buick Century | 3 | 1 |
| 1982 Buick Century | 2 | 3 |
| 1983 Buick Century | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 Buick Century | 3 | 8 |
| 1985 Buick Century | 0 | 7 |
| 1986 Buick Century | 2 | 22 |
| 1987 Buick Century | 0 | 28 |
| 1988 Buick Century | 3 | 16 |
| 1989 Buick Century | 1 | 40 |
| 1990 Buick Century | 2 | 33 |
| 1991 Buick Century | 2 | 38 |
| 1992 Buick Century | 3 | 45 |
| 1993 Buick Century | 2 | 54 |
| 1994 Buick Century | 6 | 106 |
| 1995 Buick Century | 1 | 99 |
| 1996 Buick Century | 1 | 80 |
| 1997 Buick Century | 2 | 106 |
| 1998 Buick Century | 2 | 218 |
| 1999 Buick Century | 3 | 235 |
| 2000 Buick Century | 5 | 193 |
| 2001 Buick Century | 3 | 145 |
| 2002 Buick Century | 0 | 154 |
| 2003 Buick Century | 0 | 127 |
| 2004 Buick Century | 0 | 39 |
| 2005 Buick Century | 0 | 19 |
Checking a specific 1996 Buick Century
How do I know if my 1996 Buick Century has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1996 Buick Century; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Buick dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 95V173000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Buick models
- Lesabre3,728 complaints
- Regal3,264 complaints
- Enclave2,501 complaints
- Lacrosse2,122 complaints
- Park Avenue1,368 complaints
- Rendezvous1,241 complaints
- Lucerne943 complaints
- Encore601 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.