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.
The worst 1996 Buick Riviera problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine9
- Brakes8
- Fuel system8
- Seat belts7
- Transmission7
- Electrical5
- Steering4
- Visibility3
- Airbags2
- Body1
- Lights1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Buick Riviera
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
- Risk
- This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
- 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.
Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance; the driver may not be aware that the key was left in the ignition or that the safety belt was not buckled.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.
Recall number 95V204000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Buick Riviera
Defect investigations
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 source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA02030
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 in the spring cover access hole rendering the return spring nonfunctional.to elimanate the problem, gm changed the spring cover material and access hole at the beginning of production of model year (my) 1996 buick riviera and oldsmobile aurora vehicles.both complaints and warranty claims have declined significantly from my 1995 subject vehicles to my 1996 vehicles.
PE99059
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Buick Riviera 44
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine coolant consumption or coolant leak (inspect for material degradation/replace intake manifolds) tt...
- Intermittent chuggle or fishbite on light acceleration or a highway speeds with no diagnostic trouble...
1996 Buick Riviera fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-17 | 25-27 | 19-21 |
What 1996 Buick Riviera owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency would be interested. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Compare the 1996 Buick Riviera
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Questions about the 1996 Buick Riviera
Is the 1996 Buick Riviera reliable?
Owners have filed 44 complaints about the 1996 Buick Riviera, 2.8 times a typical Riviera model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Buick Riviera?
Engine and cooling, with 9 complaints. Next is brakes (8).
How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Riviera have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and electrical system.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Buick Riviera get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Buick Riviera range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-17 city and 25-27 highway.
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