1996 Buick Century Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 16%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Buick Century, 16% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,100 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10407363, filed 2011-06, 130,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10087882, filed 2004-09, 80,100 miles“While riding about 25 MPH car in front started to put on its brakes. Consumer also attempted to put on the brakes. But, instead, car speeded up and jumped the curve. Car gained even more speed and finally was stopped by hitting a tree, upon impact, air bag didn't diploy. Consumer's foot was broken in the process of trying to put on the brakes. The passenger was also banged up. Passenger side does not have an air bag.”
NHTSA complaint #848023, filed 1999-09“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.”
NHTSA complaint #556802, filed 2000-10“In july 1996, owner began having problems w/high idle. Area dealership replaced computer but vehicle still experiences same condition, also, front brake rotors/pads overheated/replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #801145, filed 1996-09Related service bulletins
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10023171Oct 31, 2007Abs pump running when not needed.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 16% |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2003 | 16 | 13% |
| 2002 | 23 | 15% |
| 2001 | 26 | 18% |
| 2000 | 31 | 16% |
| 1999 | 29 | 12% |
| 1998 | 29 | 13% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 13 | 16% |
| 1995 | 24 | 24% |
| 1994 | 20 | 19% |
| 1993 | 4 | 7% |
| 1992 | 12 | 27% |
| 1991 | 9 | 24% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 7% |
| 1986 | 3 | 14% |
| 1985 | 2 | 29% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1996 Buick Century
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsInterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Buick Century
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology