11 of the
110 complaints about the 1996 Buick Century are about the
fuel system — 10% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
69,500 miles.
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!
NHTSA complaint #10606448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesRensselaer, IN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10510943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensburg, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LINES LEAKED. *NM FUEL LINE WAS UNPROTECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10095409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mason, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE FUEL LINE FAILED. THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10016014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nine Mile Falls, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TWO TIMES ENGINE STALLED, AND ONE TIME WHILE STOPPING AT STOP SIGN IT STALLED
NHTSA complaint #727683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Ponawanda, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CONSUMER COMPLAINING OF VEHICLE CONTINUALLY SHAKING/VIBRATING AND HESITATING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON NUMEROUS TIMES. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE PROBLEM IS THE CHEAP GAS SHE PUTS INTO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #824096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redlands, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR #6 FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middleburg Hts., OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
SHORT IN FUEL PUMP CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AND LOSS OF BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #519457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #603220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ADA, OK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AUTO-TRAN: VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING UPHILL OR WHILE PASSING, LURCHES FORWARD WHEN STARTED IN PARK, TRIES TO LURCH BACKWARD WHILE IN REVERSE, JUMPS FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED IN DRIVE POSITION, NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK ALSO WHEN WENT TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED IT WAS FOUND THAT A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED AND THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #805121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND HIT A SMALL PIECE OF WOOD ON THE ROAD THAT BROKE OFF THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL TANK. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #801100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.