Complaints
69
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Buick Riviera Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#15 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
#25 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:63,689 mi
#34 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Buick Riviera.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | — | — | 63,689 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Column | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,689
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Column
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Buick Riviera. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Riviera Years
1996 Buick Riviera — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Buick Riviera reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1996 Buick Riviera has 69 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Buick Riviera?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System (5 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (5 complaints, avg 63,689 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Buick Riviera?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 63,689 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
Does the 1996 Buick Riviera have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Buick Riviera as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Buick Riviera?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine and engine cooling:cooling system) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Riviera reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Buick Riviera
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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