1996 Buick CenturyBuick Century 1996

Vehicle Details: Recalls, Fuel Economy, Emissions, Consumer Complaints, Decoded VIN Details, Service Bulletins

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Below you will find all available information on the 1996 Buick Century, manufacturered by General Motors Llc.
The vehicle is described as a Front-Wheel Drive Midsize Cars 4-door sedan, hardtop.

ManufacturerKnown WMI(s)Fuel Type
Buick1G4 2G4 3G4 Regular
City MPGHighway MPGCO2 emissions
18 - 21 MPG26 - 29 MPG370.29 - 423.19 g/mile
Buick VIN Decoder

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Sub-models: - Century Wagon -

Frequently Asked Questions
  • What is the MPG of a 1996 Buick Century?
     - The 1996 Buick Century has an EPA estimated city efficiency of 18 - 21 MPG and an estimated highway efficiency of 26 - 29 MPG.
  • What is the fuse box diagram for the 1996 Buick Century?
     - Fuse box diagrams for the 1996 Buick Century can be found here
  • What is the annual fuel cost for the 1996 Buick Century?
     - EPA estimated annual fuel cost for the 1996 Buick Century is $2250.
  • Where is the 1996 Buick Century produced?
     - The 1996 Buick Century is produced in Oklahoma City Oklahoma, United States (usa).
  • Are there recalls for the 1996 Buick Century?
     - There are 2 recall(s) for the 1996 Buick Century, additional information is below.
Available Engine & Drive Classes
  • 3.1L 6 cylinder 4-speed automatic
NHTSA Mandated Recalls
  • Recall 45682 [USA]: Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.

  • Recall 17269 [USA]: 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.

To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

NHTSA Submitted Mechanical & Emissions Details
  • Automatic 3-spd Front-Wheel Drive Century

    Description Data
    Engine cylinders4
    Engine displacement in liters2.2
    Engine descriptor; see fueleconomy.gov details(FFS) (MPFI)
    TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd
    You save/spend over 5 years compared to an average car ($). savings are positive; a greater amount spent yields a negative number. for dual fuel vehicles, this is the cost savings for gasoline-1500
    Transmission descriptor; for information see the fueleconomy.gov detailsCLKUP
    Description Data
    Annual petroleum consumption in barrels for fuel type 112.3962
    City mpg for fuel type 1,21
    Combined mpg for fuel type 1,24
    Engine cylinders4
    Engine displacement in liters2.2
    Drive axle typeFront-Wheel Drive
    EPA model type index4112
    Engine descriptor; see fueleconomy.gov details(FFS) (MPFI)
    Annual fuel cost for fuel type 1 ($)2250
    Fuel type with fuel type 1 and fuel type 2 (if applicable)Regular
    Fuel type 1. for single fuel vehicles, this will be the only fuel. for dual fuel vehicles, this will be the conventional fuel.Regular Gasoline
    Highway mpg for fuel type 1,29
    Vehicle record id12802
    4 door luggage volume (cubic feet)16
    Model name (carline)Century
    Has my mpg data; see yourmpgvehicle and yourmpgdrivervehicleN
    If true, this vehicle operates on a blend of gasoline and electricity in charge depleting modefalse
    4-door passenger volume (cubic feet)97
    TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd
    Unadjusted city mpg for fuel type 127.0
    Unadjusted highway mpg for fuel type 140.0
    EPA vehicle size classMidsize Cars
    You save/spend over 5 years compared to an average car ($). savings are positive; a greater amount spent yields a negative number. for dual fuel vehicles, this is the cost savings for gasoline-1500
    Transmission descriptor; for information see the fueleconomy.gov detailsCLKUP
    Date the vehicle record was created (iso 8601 format)Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2013
    Date the vehicle record was last modified (iso 8601 format)Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2013
  • Automatic 4-spd Front-Wheel Drive Century

    Description Data
    Engine cylinders6
    Engine displacement in liters3.1
    Engine descriptor; see fueleconomy.gov details(FFS) (MPFI)
    TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
    You save/spend over 5 years compared to an average car ($). savings are positive; a greater amount spent yields a negative number. for dual fuel vehicles, this is the cost savings for gasoline-3000
    Transmission descriptor; for information see the fueleconomy.gov detailsCLKUP
    Description Data
    Annual petroleum consumption in barrels for fuel type 114.1671
    City mpg for fuel type 1,18
    Combined mpg for fuel type 1,21
    Engine cylinders6
    Engine displacement in liters3.1
    Drive axle typeFront-Wheel Drive
    EPA model type index4107
    Engine descriptor; see fueleconomy.gov details(FFS) (MPFI)
    Annual fuel cost for fuel type 1 ($)2550
    Fuel type with fuel type 1 and fuel type 2 (if applicable)Regular
    Fuel type 1. for single fuel vehicles, this will be the only fuel. for dual fuel vehicles, this will be the conventional fuel.Regular Gasoline
    Highway mpg for fuel type 1,26
    Vehicle record id12803
    4 door luggage volume (cubic feet)16
    Model name (carline)Century
    Has my mpg data; see yourmpgvehicle and yourmpgdrivervehicleN
    If true, this vehicle operates on a blend of gasoline and electricity in charge depleting modefalse
    4-door passenger volume (cubic feet)97
    TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
    Unadjusted city mpg for fuel type 122.0
    Unadjusted highway mpg for fuel type 137.0
    EPA vehicle size classMidsize Cars
    You save/spend over 5 years compared to an average car ($). savings are positive; a greater amount spent yields a negative number. for dual fuel vehicles, this is the cost savings for gasoline-3000
    Transmission descriptor; for information see the fueleconomy.gov detailsCLKUP
    Date the vehicle record was created (iso 8601 format)Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2013
    Date the vehicle record was last modified (iso 8601 format)Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2013
  • Automatic 4-spd Front-Wheel Drive Century Wagon

    Description Data
    Engine cylinders6
    Engine displacement in liters3.1
    Engine descriptor; see fueleconomy.gov details(FFS) (MPFI)
    TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
    You save/spend over 5 years compared to an average car ($). savings are positive; a greater amount spent yields a negative number. for dual fuel vehicles, this is the cost savings for gasoline-3000
    Transmission descriptor; for information see the fueleconomy.gov detailsCLKUP
    Description Data
    Annual petroleum consumption in barrels for fuel type 114.1671
    City mpg for fuel type 1,18
    Combined mpg for fuel type 1,21
    Engine cylinders6
    Engine displacement in liters3.1
    Drive axle typeFront-Wheel Drive
    EPA model type index4107
    Engine descriptor; see fueleconomy.gov details(FFS) (MPFI)
    Annual fuel cost for fuel type 1 ($)2550
    Fuel type with fuel type 1 and fuel type 2 (if applicable)Regular
    Fuel type 1. for single fuel vehicles, this will be the only fuel. for dual fuel vehicles, this will be the conventional fuel.Regular Gasoline
    Highway mpg for fuel type 1,26
    Vehicle record id12921
    4 door luggage volume (cubic feet)41
    Model name (carline)Century Wagon
    Has my mpg data; see yourmpgvehicle and yourmpgdrivervehicleN
    If true, this vehicle operates on a blend of gasoline and electricity in charge depleting modefalse
    4-door passenger volume (cubic feet)96
    TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
    Unadjusted city mpg for fuel type 122.0
    Unadjusted highway mpg for fuel type 137.0
    EPA vehicle size classMidsize-Large Station Wagons
    You save/spend over 5 years compared to an average car ($). savings are positive; a greater amount spent yields a negative number. for dual fuel vehicles, this is the cost savings for gasoline-3000
    Transmission descriptor; for information see the fueleconomy.gov detailsCLKUP
    Date the vehicle record was created (iso 8601 format)Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2013
    Date the vehicle record was last modified (iso 8601 format)Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2013
Bulletins

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

  • 130089009 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM): Expanded availability for remanufacture and return (r&r) electronic control modules
  • PIP4723F - 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
  • PIP4723D - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 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
  • PIC4696E - EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES: 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
  • PIC4696D - EQUIPMENT: 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
  • PIP4723C - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE: 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
  • PIC4696C - 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
  • PIP4723B - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE: 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
  • 4615 - SERVICE BRAKES, AIR: Abs pump running when not needed. *nj
  • 010601002A - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE: Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure. *tt
  • 990730030 - POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY: Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when in park on incline. *tt
  • 020601014 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE: Subject regarding revised lower intake manifold installation. *tt
  • 010601010A - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE: Subject regarding polymer service pistons. *tt
  • 990730030A - POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY: Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking
  • 990604005A - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE: Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt
  • 876002A - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE: Some v6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.Typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not re
  • 990604005 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE: Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire. *tt
  • 98576124A - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE: Comments on a ticking type noise that begins shortly after cold engine start-up and gradually diminishes as the engine warms up. *yc
  • 98876121A - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE: Vehicles may exhibit a clattering noise at idle speed originating from the timing chain and front cover area. *yc
  • 98776304A - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS: Some vehicles may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire. *yc
  • 970801735026 - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP: Comment that the abs light is on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history. *yc
  • 9709013202B - STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR: Experiencing intermittent steering column snap or click noise when turning. *yc
  • 971101776304 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM: Subject pertaining to driveability symptoms due to fuel injector deposits. *yc
  • 776001 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE: Information concerning engine knock/rattle or tap noise before engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies). Ak
  • 577106A - POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT: Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure). *tw
  • 776001 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE: Knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating
  • 677164 - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: Intermittent neutral or loss of drive at highway speeds or from fourth gear (replace control valve body assembly). *tw
  • 577106A - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: Cold start rattle noise. *tw
NHTSA decoded information from VIN

140 Results returned successfully. NOTE: Any missing decoded values should be interpreted as NHTSA does not have data on the specific variable. Missing value should NOT be interpreted as an indication that a feature or technology is unavailable for a vehicle.

Variable Value
Air Bag Loc FrontDriver Seat Only
Body ClassSedan/Saloon
DisplacementCC3100.0
DisplacementCI189.17360669367
DisplacementL3.1
Doors4
Engine ConfigurationV-Shaped
Engine Cylinders6
Engine ManufacturerFLT
Engine ModelL82
Error Text0 - VIN decoded clean. Check Digit (9th position) is correct
Fuel Injection TypeMultipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
MakeBUICK
MakeID468
ManufacturerGENERAL MOTORS LLC
Manufacturer Id984
ModelCentury
ModelID8843
Model Year1996
NCSA Body Type4-door sedan, hardtop
NCSA MakeBuick / Opel
NCSA ModelCentury
NoteBody Type: Sedan, 4-6 Window, Notchback (GM codes: 19, 69)
Other Engine InfoName Plate: Chev, Pont, Olds, Buick
Plant CityOKLAHOMA CITY
Plant Company NameNA-GM Corp
Plant CountryUNITED STATES (USA)
Plant StateOKLAHOMA
Seat Belts AllAutomatic
SeriesSpecial & Special Wagon
VIN1G4AG55M3T6441983
Vehicle Descriptor1G4AG55M*T6
Vehicle TypePASSENGER CAR
Windows4
Most Recent Consumer Complaints and Accidents
CrashFireTowedInjuredDeathsFailure
Date
NoNoN NoneNone20130329

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 line had failed and, after cutting-off the damaged part, he spliced the line back together with a brass coupling. That seems to have taken care of the problem, for now. The really scary thing is that there are hundreds of thousands of gm cars "out there" in garages and on the road with deteriorating plastic gas lines! Probably some other brands, as well. An acquaintance of mine had the same gas line failure on his 1996 oldsmobile ciera. *tr

NoNoN NoneNone20120715

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 garage igniting and burning us, the car and the house down! We got a water hose and broom and swept as much of it out of the garage as we could. We were lucky. The point of this complaint is that there are probably tens of thousands of g m cars being driven and parked in garages with quite old, deteriorating gas lines whose drivers are totally unaware of it. Our experience, alone, could have been a disaster. My son-in-law has experienced the same problem with his 1995 oldsmobile ciera, although he believes that the squirrels around his home like to chew on the plastic gas lines. It seems to me that these old plastic gas lines represent an enormous risk to the safety of millions of people while they're not even in or near the source of ignition. They could, in fact, be in bed at the other end of the home when it all blows-up! *tr

NoNoN NoneNone20110514

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 cover (fiberglass?) to the extremely thin and fragile wires to abs sensor looked burnt. Cutting it off we discovered the wires inside had shorted out. When we cleared the short and individually wrap insulated the wires, the abs warning light then came on. A gravel skid test revealed no abs at all. We found that dead shorting the wire to the sensor with a jumper wire will cause the abs warning light to go out, but obviously disables the abs. We replaced the sensor (which requires that the whole bearing/stud assembly to be replaced), and then the abs light went out. A gravel skid test revealed the abs working fine and he says the normal braking is now better too. Some research reveals that the abs detects no tire turning during a skid via the sensor, and releases hydraulic pressure to the brakes until the tire is detected by the abs as turning. We think that when a short to the sensor occurs, the sensor can't detect the tire turning again and thus the abs unit never stops bleeding fluid pass the brake (and the initial short may even set off the abs without an actual skid occurring - that is without the sensor ever sensing a tire not turning). Anyone having random near-total or total loss of brakes on this type of vehicle might do well to examine the wires and terminals leading to the abs sensors - and replace suspicious units (we paid about $90 for a unit from a common auto parts chain). A gravel skid test might also reveal an abs system not working even though there is no abs warning light lit. Replacing the bearing/stud/abs sensor assembly is moderately hard. *tr

NoNoN 1 InjuredNone20090503

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 unable to adjust or change the seat belt due to the design. They further stated that there were no failures with the seat belt. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that someone would review the report; however, they would not assist since there is no recall. The failure mileage was 70,000 and current mileage was 140,000.

NoNoN NoneNone20080815

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 with my concerns and i was told by their representative that they acknowledge the problem is widespread with this model of vehicle, but they are not able to help with the repair costs nor issue a consumer alert of a possible danger of a catastrophic failure of the power steering in many of their vehicles. I was lucky not to be involved in an accident, but i cannot drive my car now. I wish the government would investigate the incidents i have outlined as there is a definite possibility of a fatal accident happening with all 1996 - 1998 buick products. The problem results in complete failure to control the car while trying to turn left. If the problem would be with the power steering pump, the car could still turn, but in manual mode. This problem will not allow the car to turn to the left. This could be disastrous for someone. Gm said they were aware of many problems with this but would not do anything to remedy the situation or help pay for replacement of the rack. I feel that a recall would be in order if it would save lives. You can contact me for the name of the individual i spoke with and the reference number for my complaint to gm. *tr

NoNoN NoneNone20080305

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 building. *tr

NoNoN NoneNone20040831

One of the vehicle's fuel lines leaked. *nm fuel line was unprotected. *tc

CrashNoN NoneNone20040719

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

NoNoN NoneNone20040531

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

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Common OBD-II Error Codes
Latest VINs Decoded for this Manufacturer
VIN Year Model Manufactured In
1G4AG55M3T64419831996CenturyOKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES (USA)

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