10 of the 110 complaints about the 1996 Buick Century are about the steering — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 88,000 miles.
10
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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. I CONTACTED GM WITH MY CONCERNS AND I WAS TOLD BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR COSTS NOR ISSUE A CONSUMER ALERT OF A POSSIBLE DANGER OF A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING IN MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR NOW. I WISH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENTS I HAVE OUTLINED AS THERE IS A DEFINITE POSSIBILITY OF A FATAL ACCIDENT HAPPENING WITH ALL 1996 - 1998 BUICK PRODUCTS. THE PROBLEM RESULTS IN COMPLETE FAILURE TO CONTROL THE CAR WHILE TRYING TO TURN LEFT. IF THE PROBLEM WOULD BE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE CAR COULD STILL TURN, BUT IN MANUAL MODE. THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO TURN TO THE LEFT. THIS COULD BE DISASTROUS FOR SOMEONE. GM SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS BUT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION OR HELP PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK. I FEEL THAT A RECALL WOULD BE IN ORDER IF IT WOULD SAVE LIVES. YOU CAN CONTACT ME FOR THE NAME OF THE INDIVIDUAL I SPOKE WITH AND THE REFERENCE NUMBER FOR MY COMPLAINT TO GM.
NHTSA complaint #10239849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT WHILE BACKING IN MY DRIVEWAY THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN.
NHTSA complaint #10072649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER REQUESTED HIS VEHICLE BE INCLUDED IN THE POWER STEERING RECALL. *PH THE CONSUMER HAD EXTENSIVE POWER STEERING WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED WITH A W BODY WHICH WAS THE BODY FOR THE BASIS OF THE RECALL. *JB *SC
NHTSA complaint #10064780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
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. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10054132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
LETTER SENT TO CEO OF GENERAL MOTORS: NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #756353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #753262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY, TURNING RADIUS IS TOO LARGE, STEERING SENSE IS SLUGGISH AND POWER STEERING ASSIST IS NOT ADEQUATE.
NHTSA complaint #535108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.