1996 Buick Riviera: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 44 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2014
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2013
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2009
“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 report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick riviera. The contact is experiencing a fuel and a water leak. The dealer stated that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 150,000. Updated 04-08-08 *bf”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated there was an odor of fuel in the vehicle. The contact took the shroud off of the engine and determined the plastic fuel line had a hole. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, where the fuel line was replaced with a high pressure hose. Updated 3/22/2006 - the vehicle stalled while driving and that when the consumer open the hood and say the mist of fuel being sprayed onto the hot engine. The rubber fuel line was replaced with a high pressure rubber line at and independent shop. *nm”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2006
“Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in NHTSA recall 00v057000. Passenger vehicles. The rear shoulder belt(s) do not retract. A retainer could separate from a rear seat shoulder belt retractor which results in the retractor return spring becoming disengaged. Dealer indicated to the consumer that recall applied only for the year 1995 .*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2004
“Electrical (?)--the engine dies while driving at highway speeds. The engine will not restart when shifted to neutral while still rolling but does restart when the brake is applied! This has happened seven times during the past 9 months and is happening with more frequency--4 times this month! The buick service dept. Has not been able to recreate the problem and cannot determine the source of the problem. *la”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2004
“Traction control indicator illuminated. Vehicle was taken to dealership. Dealer stated when traction control light was on, the anti-lock brake system was not working*ak consumer was concerned the ABS light did not illuminate to indicate there was a malfunction with the anti-lock brake system. *tt *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2002
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.
How other years compare
Check your exact Riviera by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Buick Riviera reliable?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Buick Riviera. The most complained-about area is seat belts (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Buick Riviera problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 116,250 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Buick Riviera have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.