The 1996 Buick Century's elevated safety profile includes 1 recall campaigns and 99 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

95V1730001995-15-09

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

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."

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.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 1996 Buick Century has accumulated 99 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with engine and engine cooling leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Engine And Engine Cooling10

02Steering9

03Fuel System, Gasoline9

04Visibility9

05Service Brakes, Hydraulic8

99 total across 1 model years (1996–1996)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Buick Century Fuel Economy

21–24mpg combined

18-21city

26-29hwy

$2,800-$3,200/yr

With 3 configurations tested, the 1996 Buick Century ranges from 21 to 24 MPG combined. That's a 3 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Century - Automatic 3-spd

24mpg

2.2L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

21 city29 hwy~$2,800/yr-1/10 Poor

Century - Automatic 4-spd

21mpg

3.1L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

18 city26 hwy~$3,200/yr-1/10 Poor

Century Wagon - Automatic 4-spd

21mpg

3.1L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

18 city26 hwy~$3,200/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 1996 Buick Century

13States

48%in top 3

If you're near Washington, you're in luck: 19% of listings are there. But with 13 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

WAWashington

419%

PAPennsylvania

419%

DEDelaware

210%

COColorado

210%

TXTexas

15%

MOMissouri

15%

INIndiana

15%

AZArizona

15%

NJNew Jersey

15%

NYNew York

15%

WIWisconsin

15%

CACalifornia

15%

DCWashington DC

15%

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 1996.

1996 Buick Century: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 1996 Buick Century a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 1996 Buick Century. There are 1 recall to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 1996 Buick Century?

Yes, 1 recall on record. The good news: recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Check the safety report for specifics, and always run the VIN before buying.

What's the gas mileage of the 1996 Buick Century?

Fuel economy ranges from 21 to 24 MPG combined. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that gap is worth about $313 annually. See the fuel economy section for per-trim data.

What are common problems with the 1996 Buick Century?

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING problems top the list with 99 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.

How does the 1996 compare to other Buick Century years?

Each Buick Century model year has different pricing, recall counts, and owner satisfaction patterns. Compare all available years on the Buick Century overview page.