Model year record

1996 Buick Century

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

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.

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.