1996 Buick Riviera
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Buick Riviera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1996 Buick Riviera at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Buick Riviera recalls 2
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Fix: 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.
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…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 Buick Riviera common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Buick Riviera MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Buick Riviera costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Buick Riviera. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
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 SOURC…
NHTSA #EA02030 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Oct 2002 · closed Mar 2004REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR Closed
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 JA…
NHTSA #PE99059 · Seat Belts · opened Sep 1999 · closed Feb 2000An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 29
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 29.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Record…
Bulletin PIP4723D · Electrical System · Jan 2020This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
Bulletin 19NA273 · Electrical System, Equipment · Dec 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…
Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Sep 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…
Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Feb 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…
Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…
Bulletin PIP4723C · Electrical System, Equipment, Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…
Bulletin PIP4723B · Electrical System · Feb 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…
Bulletin PIC4696B · Equipment · Dec 2015Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the RIVIERA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Buick Riviera. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Lights And Instruments
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 114 - LOCKING SYSTEM AND 208 - SEAT BELT INSTALLATIONS. THE MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE MAY 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 BE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER…
Transport Canada #1995195 · Oct 1995Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Buick Riviera
The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.