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1996 Buick RivieraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 44 owner complaints about the 1996 Buick Riviera, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year16% below the Riviera median · #3 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints441 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage135kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 3, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Buick Riviera has problems

44 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling80
Power train70
Service brakes, hydraulic70
Seat belts70
Fuel system, gasoline61
Electrical system50
Steering40
Visibility30
Air bags20
7 other systems70

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Buick Riviera recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Recall 96V-116 · Jul 1, 1996 · 275,811 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Anti-theft: control module

Recall 95V-204 · Oct 23, 1995 · 32,869 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Riviera year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Riviera median. How we score

'66'69'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'95'96'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Buick Riviera, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
  2. REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORPE99059 · closed Feb 22, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Riviera owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Complaint 10055854 · Jan 26, 2004 · 135,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10054927 · Jan 26, 2004
TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, WHICH COULD INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE OR BRAKES PER OWNER'S MANUAL. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
Complaint 8018154 · Sep 9, 2002

Own a 1996 Riviera?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.