Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 110 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Century year — the 1996 model ranks #10 of 33 Century years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (16), fuel system (11), and visibility & wipers (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
110
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
7
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
10
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 16 | 15% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 11 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 10 | 9% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 10 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 9 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 9 | 8% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 8 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 7 | 6% | — flat |
| Transmission | 7 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 7 | 6% | — flat |
| Airbags | 5 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 4 | 4% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Other | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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”
“AUTO-TRAN: VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING UPHILL OR WHILE PASSING, LURCHES FORWARD WHEN STARTED IN PARK, TRIES TO LURCH BACKWARD WHILE IN REVERSE, JUMPS FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED IN DRIVE POSITION, NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK ALSO WHEN WENT TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED IT WAS FOUND THAT A…”
“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”
“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”
“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”
NHTSA data argues against it: 110 complaints put the 1996 model at #10 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (16 complaints), fuel system (11 complaints), visibility & wipers (10 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Century years to avoid are 1999, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1994, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993. The cleanest record among Century years belongs to 1980.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.