Model year record
The 1996 Buick Riviera has 2 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (11 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| City / highway | 17 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
| City / highway | 16 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine | 11 | — |
| Electrical systemHorn; Alternator/generator/regulator | 8 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage | 8 | 94,250 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads | 8 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 7 | 123,800 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Automatic transmission | 7 | — |
| SteeringColumn; Steering wheel/handle bar | 7 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield; Windshield wiper/washer | 3 | — |
| Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module | 2 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| StructureBody › Door | 1 | — |
| Exterior lightingTurn signal › Switch | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
I SMELLED GAS. I OPENED THE HOOD, REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER & FUEL WAS SPRAYING FROM THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE, THE SIZE OF A PINHOLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO ORDER A NEW FUEL LINE AND WAS TOLD THE FUEL LINE PART #25648136 IS DISCONTINUED, AS SOON AS I FIND ONE LEFT SOMEWHERE, I WILL BE TAKING TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR. THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED ON THIS? A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT INTO VARIOUS AUTO FORUMS ON THE INTERNET & NOTICED THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. A PINHOLE LEAK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE REPLACED THIS LINE IN THE 4 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR WITH 60000 MILES BETWEEN THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED AND NOW.…
COULD NOT GET FIRST INCIDENT DATE ENTERED. THIS IS CURRENT TIME STARTED IN 2013. HAVE HAD REPAIRED 5 TIMES AND NEEDS AGAIN. WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY ABOVE 60 MILES PER HOUR AND HAVE TO BRAKE HEAVILY IT WILL START TO SHAKE AND SHIMMY STEERING COLUMN FIXED 2 TIMES THIS YEAR, AS IT LOOSENS UP AND YOU CAN MOVE IT UP TO TWO INCHES BACK AND FORTH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK RIVIERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED FROM EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 8//1/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TANK WAS PLASTIC WITH A METAL RING BONDED TO THE TANK, WITH A METAL LOCK RING THAT HELD THE FUEL PUMP IN PLACE. BOTH METAL RINGS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED, TO THE POINT THEY WERE CRUMBLING AND FLAKING. UPDATED 08/26/14
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK RIVIERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE SEAT BELT ON BUT IT FAILED TO CONNECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY DID NOT PROVIDE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, JUST THE REPLACEMENT PART NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
SEAT BELT FAILURE: THE SEAT BELT FASTENER(CLASP/HOOK) ON MY 1996 BUICK RIVIERA VIN # [XXX] HAS FAILED. INSERTION OF THE MALE END OF THE BELT INTO THE FEMALE FASTENER FAILS TO RESULT IN THE UNIT LOCKING. BUICK STATES THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE OR ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR IT. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT (LEFT SIDE, I.E. BEHIND DRIVER) FAILS TO RETRACT THE BELT OR SNUG IT UP AFTER THE BELT IS FASTENED. THIS RESULTS IN MORE THAN A FOOT OF SLACK BELT AND THUS AFFORDS LITTLE PROTECTION TO A PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A BUICK RECALL ON PRECISELY THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR (GM 00023, DATED 15 NOVEMBER 2000, IN RESPONSE TO A 28 FEBRUARY 2000 NHTSA…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED HESITATING. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND NOTICED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED . THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. ALTHOUGH HE EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE, HE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL) . THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A SMELL OF GAS. I STOPPED & WAS AT A TRUCK STOP. I CHECKED UNDER THE GAS TANK VEHICLE & SPOTTED NO GAS DRIPPING FROM THE TANK. THEN I WENT AROUND TO FRONT OF THE VEHICLE & SAW NO GAS LEAKING. THEN SEVERAL DAYS LATER, I DROVE TO FRESNO, PARKED THE CAR & TOLD MY DAUGHTER THAT I SMELLED GAS. I OPENED THE HOOD, REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER & FUEL WAS SPRAYING FROM THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE, THE SIZE OF A PINHOLE. I PLACED SOME TAPE ON IT & DROVE IT HOME. I CONTACTED THE DEALER & ORDERED A NEW FUEL LINE. I WILL BE TAKING INTO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED ON THIS???? A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT INTO VARIOUS AUTO FORUMS ON THE INTERNET & NOTICED…
FUEL SMELL WHEN TANK IS FULL. REMOVED ACCESS COVER FOR FUEL PUMP MODULE FOUND WELL FOR MODULE FILLED WITH DIRT OVER TOP OF MODULE. CLEAN OUT DIRT FOUND METAL RING TO HOLD MODULE IN ROTTED OFF TANK THERE WAS NOTHING HOLDING FUEL PUMP MODULE IN TANK IF CAR ROLLED OVER. FUEL CAN RUN OUT LOOKS LIKE A BAD HAZARD. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
COMPLAINTS GENERALLY STATED THAT ONE OR BOTH OUTBOARD REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AT ALL AND ARE USELESS.IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT PROVIDE ANY TENSION AND HAVE EXCESS SLACK.THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY HAS A PLASTIC COVER NEXT TO THE RETRACTOR RETURN SPRING.ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTORS (GM), HEAT MAY SOFTEN, WARP AND DEFLECT THE PLASTIC SPRING COVER ALLOWING THE RETURN SPRING TO DISENGAGE THROUGH AND JAM IN THE SPRING COVER ACCESS HOLE RENDERING THE RETURN SPRING NONFUNCTIONAL.TO ELIMANATE THE PROBLEM, GM CHANGED THE SPRING COVER MATERIAL AND ACCESS HOLE AT THE BEGINNING OF PRODUCTION OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1996 BUICK RIVIERA AND OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES.BOTH COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS HAVE DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM MY 1995 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO MY 1996 VEHICLES.