26 of the
439 complaints filed about the Buick Riviera
are about the fuel system —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1996.
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, WHEN FUELING MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL, INLINE WITH THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. I HAD NOTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUBSEQUENTLY CAME ON AND CODE 0440 (OR A VARIANT OF THAT, I CANNOT RECALL WITH 100% CERTAINTY. WHEN I HAD SOME FREE TIME, I STARTED INVESTIGATING THE EMISSIONS CODE AND DECIDED TO CHECK THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WORKING FORWARD. WHILE LOOKING AT THE FUEL FILLER NECK, I NOTED A GLINT OF FRESH STEEL BEHIND THE TIRE. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE, I NOTED A HOLE IN THE FILLER NECK THE SIZE OF A US QUARTER. SINCE IT'S A FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT, I INVESTIGATED WHETHER I COULD GET A REPLACEMENT PART (TO NO AVAIL). MY FIELD EXPEDIENT FIX WAS TO WRAP THE FUEL FILLER INTAKE STEEL PIPE WITH A COPIOUS AMOUNT OF DUCT TAPE AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL I COULD SEE IF A JUNKYARD WOULD YIELD A NEW PIPE. NO SUCH LUCK IN FIND A PART THAT DIDN'T HAVE A HOLE OF SORTS (SEE ENCLOSED PHOTO'S OF 'REPLACEMENT' OFFERINGS. MY INVESTIGATION LED ME TO CONCLUDE THE WEAR IN THE PIPE WAS CAUSED BY WHEEL HOP, PRIMARILY WHEN ROLLING OVER SPEED BUMPS AT A SPEED HIGHER THAN RECOMMENDED, CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO "HOP UPWARDS" AND COME IN CONTACT WITH THE PIPE. GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF SPEED BUMPS IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS HAPPENING IS CONSISTENT THE LOCATION OF THE DAMAGE AND THE INNER EDGE OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I'VE ENCLOSED PICTURES OF A 'REPLACEMENT' PIPE THAT WILL HAVE TO BE EPOXIED TO CONTAIN VAPORS AND PREVENT FUEL SPILLAGE UNLESS A PRISTINE PIPE IS FOUND. GIVEN THE EMISSIONS ISSUE ALONG WITH FUEL SPILLAGE WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE'S A HIGH LIKELYHOOD OF FURTHER DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. I'D RECOMMEND A METAL SHIELD BE RETROFITTED TO PREVENT CONTACT FROM THE LEFT TIRE AND THE FUEL FILLER NECK
NHTSA complaint #10908573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10680980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10594863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING, BEGAN TO SMELL ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, OPENED HOOD TO WITNESS FUEL SUPPLY LINE TO REAR FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAKING ON TO TOP OF ENGINE. FUEL CONTINUED TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE EVEN AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10547659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10291539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FLEX FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109000.
NHTSA complaint #10282558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10232104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10230002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10220677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FOUR YEARS AGO I FILED A REPORT OF WHAT I CONSIDERED A DANGEROUS PART FAILURE ON OUR 1995 BUICK RIVIERA, IN THAT A FUEL LINE HAD DEVELOPED A PIN HOLE AND GAS WAS SPRAYING OUT OVER THE ENGINE. I ALSO WROTE A LETTE TO GENERAL MOTORS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BUT I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE. THIS WEEK WE AGAIN SMELLED GAS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINE WHICH WAS REPLACED IN 4/02 HAD AGAIN FAILED AND GAS WAS SPRAYING OUT INTO INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE COST OF REPAIR THEN WAS APRX $90 AND I WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE MORE THAN THAT NOW, TO REPAIR SOMETHING WHICH CONSIDERING THE SAFETY ASPECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO A FACTORY RECALL AND REPLACED WITH A HEAVY DUTY LINE.
NHTSA complaint #10155892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10152100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING COULD SMELL STRONG FUEL ODOR. OPENED HOOD, AND FOUND PLASTIC FUEL LINE SPRAYING FUEL OVER ENGINE. SHUT ENGINE OFF AND FUEL CONTINUED TO SPRAY. MY BROTHER WILL REPAIR AND SAVE OLD PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10117914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SENDING UNIT FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME AT 44,000 MILES, SECOND TIME AT 67,000 MILES, AND THIRD TIME AT 80,000 MILES. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE SENDING UNIT HAD BARE AND MELTED COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10092730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
A GASOLINE ODOR ENTERED THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE CONSUMER ASSESSED THE PROBLEM, AND FOUND THE FUEL LINE HAD A LEAK AND WAS SPRAYING GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10063151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AFTER SMELLING RAW GAS FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH OUT FINDING A LEAK, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THERE, THEY FOUND THAT THE MAIN FUEL FEED LINE HAD CRACKED AND WAS SPRAYING GASOLINE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #567885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SUFFERED DISABLING FIRE DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE OF FIRE APPEARED TO BE FUEL SYSTEM RELATED, CARBURATOR WAS STILL WET WITH FUEL RESIDUE. ( OHIO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #564509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SUFFERED DISABLING FIRE DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE OF FIRE APPEARED TO BE FUEL SYSTEM RELATED, CARBURATOR WAS STILL WET WITH FUEL RESIDUE. ( OHIO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #564509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SUFFERED DISABLING FIRE DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE OF FIRE APPEARED TO BE FUEL SYSTEM RELATED, CARBURATOR WAS STILL WET WITH FUEL RESIDUE. ( OHIO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #564509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATES HORN IS INOPERABLE AT TIMES, ON ONE OCCASION HE HAD TO HIT THE HORN PAD SIX TIMES BEFORE THE HORN WOULD SOUND, DEALER HAS REPAIRED/REPLACED PARTS ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT FAILED. EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED ADJUSTED, THE PEDAL WAS NOT RETURNING ALL THE WAY UP WHEN IT WAS RELEASED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #562044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.