Most common 1996 Buick Riviera problems
Share of the 44 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Riviera complaints by model year
Best Riviera years: 1999, 1998. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
1996 Buick Riviera recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
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.
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1996 Buick Riviera:
Rear seat belt retractor
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…
Engine compartment fires
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…
What 1996 Buick Riviera owners say
Engine & cooling
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. GM needs to offer a redesigned replacement part that doesn't leak.
Dealer has been very helpful, but enough is enough. The brake module just did the same thing it did last year and we just had the oxygen sensor replaced. For this expenisve a car, it has been in the shop constantly and is unreliable. We have never in the last nine cars had any of them be in the shop like this. This is regretfully our first and last Buick at this rate. The car is lovely, but can't be trusted on over a two hour trip.
Fuel & propulsion system
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. GM needs to offer a redesigned replacement part that doesn't leak.
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.
Brakes
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.
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 consumer was concerned the ABS light did not illuminate to indicate there was a malfunction with the anti-lock brake system.
1996 Buick Riviera engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Buick Riviera a good car?
Based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Riviera rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Riviera at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Buick Riviera?
The engine & cooling — 9 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (8) and brakes (8).
How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Riviera have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1996 Buick Riviera, the most recent from July 1, 1996 (fuel injection system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Riviera?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Buick Riviera years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Buick Riviera problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 120,000 miles; 7% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.