Model year guide

1996 Buick Riviera

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Buick Riviera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1996 Buick Riviera — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Buick Riviera at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints55
Combined19–21 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Buick Riviera recalls 2

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System NHTSA Campaign #96V116000 · 01/07/1996

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

Fix: 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.

Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module NHTSA Campaign #95V204000 · 23/10/1995

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…

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

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Buick Riviera common problems

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

1996 Buick Riviera MPG & running costs

Combined19–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,775
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Forced inductionSupercharged
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Buick Riviera costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,875
Fuel only$18,875
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1996 Buick Riviera trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

1996 Buick Riviera vehicles on record

1996 Buick Riviera 1996 Buick Riviera Base1G4GD2216T4710579

Other Buick Riviera model years

1998 1997 1995 1984

1996 Buick Riviera — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Buick Riviera have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Buick Riviera. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Buick Riviera?

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, gasoline, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Buick Riviera get?

The 1996 Buick Riviera has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.