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Research · Midsize Cars

1996 Buick RivieraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 1996 Buick Riviera. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (7) and power train (7). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 1996
Owner complaints
44
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 1, 1996NHTSA 96V116000

Electrical system: control module

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 23, 1995NHTSA 95V204000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

44 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1995 – Feb 2015
  1. Engine and engine cooling7
  2. Power train7
  3. Fuel system, gasoline6
  4. Seat belts6
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  6. Electrical system5
  7. Steering3
  8. Visibility3
  9. Air bags2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Riviera model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199644
199743
199829
19996
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

7 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2004Engine and engine coolingODI 10054927

Power train

7 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2002Power trainODI 8019252

Fuel system, gasoline

6 reports1 fire
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2014Fuel system, gasolineODI 10594863
All 1996 Riviera problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Riviera
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172721$2,950423
Riviera
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$4,050468
  • Riviera
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Riviera
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Buick Riviera as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Riviera questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Riviera have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Buick Riviera problems?

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (7), power train (7), fuel system, gasoline (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Buick Riviera get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Buick Riviera at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026