Vehicle recall 96V116000 · July 1, 1996
Buick LeSabre, Oldsmobile 88 and 5 more models
A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
- Consequence
- This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
- 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.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 3.8L V6 engine. Owner notification: owner notifications began during July 1996. Note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300; Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737; or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 96V116000
- Reported to NHTSA
- July 1, 1996
- Filed by
- GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Owner notification
- July 8, 1996
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 275,811
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Buick LeSabre (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
- Buick Park Avenue (1996): 1996
- Buick Regal (1996): 1996
- Buick Riviera (1996): 1996
- Oldsmobile 88 (1996): 1996
- Oldsmobile 98 (1996): 1996
- Pontiac Bonneville (1996): 1996
Has your Buick been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Buick dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.