1996 Buick Century Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 8%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Buick Century, 8% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles.
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“The consumer is experiencing problems with the ignition system. When starting vehicle it vibrates. The consumer has contacted t manufacturer twice, but they couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #829080, filed 1998-10“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
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 32% |
| 2004 | 5 | 13% |
| 2003 | 23 | 18% |
| 2002 | 24 | 16% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
| 2000 | 20 | 10% |
| 1999 | 15 | 6% |
| 1998 | 26 | 12% |
| 1997 | 20 | 19% |
| 1996 | 6 | 8% |
| 1995 | 6 | 6% |
| 1994 | 10 | 9% |
| 1993 | 5 | 9% |
| 1992 | 8 | 18% |
| 1991 | 8 | 21% |
| 1990 | 6 | 18% |
| 1989 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 3 | 11% |
| 1986 | 4 | 18% |
| 1985 | 1 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1996 Buick Century
13 complaintsFuel system
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 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 29, 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