Model year record

1996 Buick Century

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 110 owner complaints on file.

Buick Century, 1982–1996 generation
Pictured: the 1982–1996 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V173000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
2,216,325
Reported to NHTSA
1995-09-15
Owners notified
1995-10-19

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip760,000 mi
Vehicle speed control7—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6—
Steering: rack and pinion5154,000 mi
Structure: body: door5—
Suspension: front5146,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission426,134 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear4—
Air bags: frontal3109,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Steering3146,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3—
Air bags2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Fuel system, gasoline268,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Interior lighting2—
Power train2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Service brakes, hydraulic280,100 mi
Structure: body2—
Suspension226,134 mi
Unknown or other2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Electrical system1130,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel/propulsion system171,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1145,321 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Seat belts170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system130,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections130,000 mi
Structure: body: hood1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Buick Century model years

All Buick Century recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.