1996 BUICK CENTURY

2 recalls, 110 complaints - 35 TSBs

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Defect Description

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.

Consequence

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.

742 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: DELPHI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Defect Description

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.

2,216,325 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

110 total complaints 7 crashes 1 fires 10 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	6
SUSPENSION:FRONT	5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	5
STEERING:RACK AND PINION	5
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR	4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	3

Incident date: May 4, 2022

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

Incident date: Jul 16, 2012

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 GARA... Read more

Incident date: Mar 30, 2013

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 LI... Read more

Incident date: May 15, 2011

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 COVE... Read more

Incident date: May 15, 2011

Incident date: May 4, 2009

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 UNA... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Aug 16, 2008

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 WIT... Read more

Incident date: Aug 16, 2008

Incident date: Mar 6, 2008

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 BUILDIN... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2004

ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LINES LEAKED. *NM FUEL LINE WAS UNPROTECTED. *TC

Incident date: Jul 20, 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

Crash

Incident date: Jan 23, 2004

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 C... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: May 14, 2004

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT WHILE BACKING IN MY DRIVEWAY THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN.*AK

Incident date: Feb 15, 2003

THE TRANSMITION GRINDING, SLIPPING & FAILURES.

Incident date: Oct 15, 2003

TRANSMISSION ARE JUNK AND THEY KNEW

Incident date: Jan 1, 2002

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *JB

Incident date: Jun 1, 2004

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

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

Crash

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

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

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

Crash 1 injured

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 T... Read more

Incident date: Apr 16, 2003

THE FUEL LINE FAILED. THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *JB

Incident date: Feb 27, 2003

THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. *MR *SCC *NLM

Incident date: Apr 27, 2002

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

Incident date: Apr 29, 2002

NOISE WOULD COME FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING, DEALER NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident date: Feb 26, 2002

CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING.*AK

Incident date: Jan 15, 2001

LETTER SENT TO CEO OF GENERAL MOTORS: NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

Incident date: Jan 21, 1997

WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPERS WHEN USED, SPRAY WOULD SQUIRT THE WATER THREE TIMES, CAUSE VERY POOR VISIBILITY WHICH ESPECIALLY WHEN USES AT NIGHT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER SHOULD SPRAY ONLY ONCE.*YD

Incident date: Oct 13, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Jun 9, 2001

CONSUMER PULLRED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD, NOT 100 YARDS FROM DRIVEWAY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER EXITED VEHICLE THEN IT CAUGHT FIRE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. NLM

Fire

Incident date: Aug 17, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT FRONT LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE. 'DOORLOCKS JAMMED, AND CONSUMER COULD NOT GET OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THAT IF CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED UP.*AK

Incident date: Nov 4, 1996

GLOVE COMPARTMENT MISALIGNED AND THE FABRIC ON THE CONSOLE PEELED OFF TWICE, THE CONSOLE LID WAS REPALCED. NLM

Incident date: Sep 4, 1997

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED TWICE CAUSING THE SES LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NLM

THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO THROUGH A RED LIGHT. NLM

Incident date: May 29, 1997

THE CONSUMER HEARS WIND NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS EXPERIENCE SEVERE CONDENSATION DURING COLD WHEATHER. NLM

Incident date: Feb 11, 1997

FAULTY WASHER FLUID RESERVIOR AND CAP CAUSED THE FLUID TO FREEZE. NLM

THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO THROUGH A RED LIGHT. NLM

Incident date: Jan 1, 1996

IN COLD WEATHER/WINTER SNOW AND FROST DEVELOPS INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD, WHICH CAUSE WATER TO ENTER INTO DASH, AND POSSIBLY MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER HITS THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGES A FOOT OR TWO, THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. *SLC

Incident date: Oct 7, 2000

THE STEERING SYSTEM SUFFERED A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE NEGORIATING A TURN INTO A CITY STREET. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR PROPERTY CONTACT. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DIFFERENT. BUICK HAD RACK PROBLEMS ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TWO TIMES ENGINE STALLED, AND ONE TIME WHILE STOPPING AT STOP SIGN IT STALLED

CONTINUOUS LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD WITH ANTI -LOCK ON IT

Incident date: Nov 1, 1999

WHILE DRIVING UP TO A HILL VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABOUT 50 MPH WITH HEADLIGHTS ON. THEN, THEY WILL GO OUT WITHOUT A WARNING. *AK

Incident date: Apr 5, 2000

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT ABS BRAKES MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK

WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY, POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK

Showing 50 of 110 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1996 BUICK CENTURY

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	29.0	24.0	Regular	$2,600
3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	26.0	21.0	Regular	$2,950

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 BUICK CENTURY

35 manufacturer communications from 26 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	6
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	4
350000 EQUIPMENT	3
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.	2
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	2
118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE	2
106000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY	2

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

This 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

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This 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 ce

353100 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

350000 EQUIPMENT

This 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 c

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

This 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 c

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This 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 c

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

350000 EQUIPMENT

199000 TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

REVISED PISTON PIN REMOVAL / INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. *TT