1996 BUICK Riviera Problems

VIN Decoder

Premium Report

Complaints Reported

Radar Detector GPS Tracker OBD2 Scanner Car Refrigerator Jump Starter Dash Cam

As an Amazon Associate, ForCar.org earns from qualifying purchases.

Complaints by Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

7 complaints

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

May 29, 2014

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.

Nov 09, 2009

Fire: 1

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

Jun 05, 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

Mar 10, 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

Mar 07, 2006

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SEAT BELTS

7 complaints

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.

Jan 14, 2013

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 RECALL ORDER, NUMBER 00V057000) BUICK TELLS ME IT DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLES VIN NUMBER AND IS ALSO NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR. SINCE BOTH ISSUES CLEARLY INVOLVE SAFETY ISSUES, I THOUGHT THE NHTSA WOULD BE INTERESTED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Dec 28, 2010

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

Sep 21, 2004

THE DRIVERS' SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH AND MUST BE REPLACED. *LA

Jul 12, 2004

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Aug 18, 2001

+ 2 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

7 complaints

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

Jan 26, 2004

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

Jan 26, 2004

WATER PUMP FAILED WITH ONLY 50100 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED TO BUICK'S RECOMMENDATIONS.*AK

Oct 30, 2001

WATER PUMP REPLACED. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

WATER PUMP REPLACED. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

+ 2 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 complaints

THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL# 95V20400 ELECTRIC SYSTEM: ANTI-THEFT DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT DEALT WIT SAME PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Jun 17, 2002

HORN FAILED. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

HORN FAILED. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICES SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BY BUICK DEALERS.

Jul 10, 1998

STARTER FAILED.

Apr 10, 1997

+ 1 more complaint for this component

POWER TRAIN

5 complaints

TRACTION LIGHT STAYS ON WITH CAUSE UNKNOWN. THE OWNER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT HE PROBABLY RAN THROUGH SOME WATER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*JB

Sep 24, 2002

TRACTION CONTROL FAILED.

Nov 04, 1997

SPEEDOMETER FAILED.

Sep 11, 1997

AUTO-TRAN: WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY 55 MPH, SUDDENLY GEARS QUIT WORKING, VEHICLE STARTED COASTING, NO WARNING, 1ST/2ND GEARS REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL EXIST, SEEMS AS AS THOUGH A PLASTIC RING IN TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE.*AK

Sep 11, 1996

TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE BURNT OUT.

Jul 25, 1996

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

5 complaints

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

Aug 09, 2002

WHILE IN REVERSE AND APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD. OWNER DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID POURING FROM BRAKE LINE. BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED A HOLE IN LINE. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED.*AK *JG

Feb 06, 2002

SINCE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN IN FOR BRAKES ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BRAKES SEEM TO WEAR PREMATURELY. *AK

Aug 02, 2000

BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

STEERING

4 complaints

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN WOULD SHAKE BADLY. TILT BOLTS ARE IN COMING LOOSE OUT OF THE COLUMN. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER.*AK

Jul 11, 2000

STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED ON OCCASION AND REQUIRED REPAIR, STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED ON OCCASION AND REQUIRED REPAIR, STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

STEERING WHEEL TILT FAILED.

Oct 27, 1997

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

I HAVE A BUICK RIVERA 1996, AND THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS EXPLODED ONCE, AND NOW THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. THERE IS A LEAK OF WATER IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT, THE TRACTION LIGHT ARE ONE AGAIN. I KNOW THERE WERE BUICK'S RECALLED BECAUSE OF DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS EXPLODING, HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED GM THEY SAID NOT ON THE RIVERA. NOW, ALL OF THESE ARE BUICK CARS, AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS. THIS HAS PUT MY LIFE AND THAT OF MY PASSANGERS IN DANGER, BECAUSE IF THAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR BADLY HURT. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS. IT HAS CAUSED ME CONSTANT MENTAL STRESS JUST WORRYING ABOUT THIS THING DEPLOYING AGAIN. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS WOMAN AND I AM 41 YEARS OF AGE. I WOULD LIKE GENERAL MOTORS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM ON MY CAR. PLEASE CONTACT ME.*AK

Jul 07, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT ESTIMATED SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR RUNNING OVER DEBRIS IN ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Sep 10, 2002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

ALTERNATOR IDLER PULLY AND BELT REPLACED. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

ALTERNATOR IDLER PULLY AND BELT REPLACED. *MJS

Jun 13, 2000

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

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. *TR

Feb 03, 2015

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

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

Sep 02, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 complaint

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 THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. A PINHOLE LEAK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE. THIS BEING ON THE 1995 - 1999 BUICK RIVIERA'S ( 3.8 L ) V6. *TR

Jun 23, 2008

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, WHICH COULD INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE OR BRAKES PER OWNER'S MANUAL. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

Sep 09, 2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

MODULATOR AFFECTS ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL, CAN CAUSE WHEEL LOCK-UP AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *AK

Jul 30, 2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

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. *AK

Nov 19, 1999

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

1 complaint

ERRATIC OPERATION OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS USED, AND WHILE MAKING A TURN. AFTER TURN WAS COMPLETED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD RESUME WORKING AGAIN. ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK WHEN SWITCH WAS IN A OFF MODE. WOULD HAVE TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AGAIN TO GET WIPERS TO STOP OPERATING. DEALER NOTIFED, AND REPAIRED WINDSHIELD WIPERS AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Sep 23, 1999

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

WINDSHIELD MOLDING MELTS. (QCAW)

Jul 29, 1998

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED.

Nov 04, 1997

TIRES

1 complaint

GOODYEAR TIRE BLEW OUT(P22560R16).

Apr 14, 1997

4.3/5.0

94 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1996 BUICK Riviera have?

The 1996 BUICK Riviera currently has 55 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1996 BUICK Riviera?

The most common problems reported for the 1996 BUICK Riviera are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1996 BUICK Riviera problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1996 BUICK Riviera comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.