1996 Buick Century Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 13%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Buick Century, 13% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles. 1 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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10239849, filed 2008-08, 146,000 miles“The vehicle suddenly lost power steering when making a left turn. As a result, the steering became difficult. There was a recall for this issue but the VIN and model year was outside the remedy scope. #03v457000.”
NHTSA complaint #10054132, filed 2004-03, 30,000 miles“The vehicle suddenly lost power steering while making a left turn. There's a recall for this issue but the VIN number and model year is outside the remedy scope (recall # 03v457000).”
NHTSA complaint #10054126, filed 2004-01, 30,000 miles“I went to turn my wheel and it wouldn't turn left then the rack and pinion broke the wheel just turns 360 to the left but no movement in turning lost all steering”
NHTSA complaint #11464023, filed 2022-05“The steering system suffered a sudden and complete failure while negoriating a turn into a city street. I was able to safely stop the vehicle prior to any other vehicle or property contact. Had I been traveling at highway speed the results would have been quite different. Buick had rack problems in the late 1980's with the Century line; has the problem been resolved. This should cause a recall as the vehicle just passed a state safety inspection less than 2 months ago.”
NHTSA complaint #733896, filed 2000-10Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 6% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
| 2001 | 11 | 8% |
| 2000 | 11 | 6% |
| 1999 | 13 | 6% |
| 1998 | 24 | 11% |
| 1997 | 15 | 14% |
| 1996 | 10 | 13% |
| 1995 | 9 | 9% |
| 1994 | 8 | 8% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 3 | 7% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 6 | 38% |
| 1987 | 8 | 29% |
| 1986 | 5 | 23% |
| 1985 | 2 | 29% |
| 1984 | 4 | 50% |
Other parts of the 1996 Buick Century
13 complaintsFuel system
11 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 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