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Engine coolingPart report

1996 Buick Riviera Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
18%of 44 total for the year
Median mileage
135,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Buick Riviera, 18% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problem. Please provide any additional information.”

NHTSA complaint #10055854, filed 2004-01, 135,000 miles

“Dealer has been very helpful, but enough is enough. The brake module just did the same thing it did last year and we just had the oxygen sensor replaced. For this expenisve a car, it has been in the shop constantly and is unreliable. We have never in the last nine cars had any of them be in the shop like this. This is regretfully our first and last Buick at this rate. The car is lovely, but can't be trusted on over a two hour trip.”

NHTSA complaint #715035, filed 1999-11

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10054927, filed 2004-01

“3800 series ii super charged engine; while driving heard clanking engine dropped dead on highway coast to stop. Dealer will not open engine, just replace. Tt”

NHTSA complaint #975561, filed 1995-11

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
1999117%
199827%
1997614%
1996818%
19952116%
199218%
1991113%
199016%
1987240%

Other parts of the 1996 Buick Riviera

Brakes
8 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Seat belts
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Electrical system
5 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Buick Riviera

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology