Model year record

1996 Buick Riviera

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 69 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V116000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
275,811
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-01
Owners notified
1996-07-08

Defect description

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

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 95V204000

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
32,869
Reported to NHTSA
1995-10-23
Owners notified
1995-09-22

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system5
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip563,689 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine4135,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)4
Steering: column4
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3
Electrical system: horn3
Fuel system, gasoline3120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Seat belts276,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Visibility: windshield2
Air bags: frontal1
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine180,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1123,800 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1131,451 mi
Fuel system, other1132,550 mi
Fuel/propulsion system180,000 mi
Power train1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly150,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing1112,500 mi
Service brakes1126,861 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings130,000 mi
Steering1126,861 mi
Structure: body: door1
Tires1
Unknown or other1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1

The 1995 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.