1996 Buick RIVIERA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
116,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 30 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 23.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Steering:Column | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm): 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Steering:Column: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 2; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 7; 2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2006: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10054927 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10630201 · 2014-09-02 (September 2, 2014)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 126,861 miles reported. Look up ODI 10630201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220677 · 2008-03-10 (March 10, 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
Owner-reported narrative. 131,451 miles reported. Look up ODI 10220677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230002 · 2008-06-05 (June 5, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764952 · 2002-07-30 (July 30, 2002)
MODULATOR AFFECTS ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL, CAN CAUSE WHEEL LOCK-UP AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802233 · 1996-09-11 (September 11, 1996)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152100 · 2006-03-07 (March 7, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 123,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152100 at NHTSA ↗