RecallMyCar

Buick Riviera Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 33 safety recalls and 316 owner complaints across 30 model years of the Buick Riviera (1966–1999). The most-complained-about year is 1995.

33
safety recalls, all years
316
owner complaints, all years
1990
year with most recalls
1995
year with most complaints

Pick your Buick Riviera model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1999 Buick Riviera06
1998 Buick Riviera029
1997 Buick Riviera043
1996 Buick Riviera244
1995 Buick Riviera1130
1993 Buick Riviera15
1992 Buick Riviera212
1991 Buick Riviera18
1990 Buick Riviera416
1989 Buick Riviera29
1988 Buick Riviera01
1987 Buick Riviera15
1986 Buick Riviera12
1985 Buick Riviera12
1984 Buick Riviera10
1983 Buick Riviera11
1982 Buick Riviera11
1981 Buick Riviera10
1979 Buick Riviera20
1978 Buick Riviera10
1977 Buick Riviera20
1976 Buick Riviera10
1975 Buick Riviera30
1974 Buick Riviera10
1973 Buick Riviera11
1972 Buick Riviera30
1971 Buick Riviera20
1970 Buick Riviera20
1969 Buick Riviera01
1966 Buick Riviera10

What Buick Riviera owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 316 complaints with NHTSA. The 1995 model year has the most, with 130.

All Buick Riviera recalls (33)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Buick Riviera, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Webbing (seat belts)

    NHTSA 00V057000 Reported 85,253 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear shoulder belt(s) do not retract. A retainer could separate from a rear seat shoulder belt retractor which results in the retractor return spring becoming disengaged.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect both rear shoulder belt retractors for correct function and install a spring cover retaining strap to each retractor. If a retractor does not function correctly, it will be replaced.

    Model years: 1995

  2. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 96V116000 Reported 275,811 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.

    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.

    Model years: 1996

  3. Electrical system: control module

    NHTSA 95V204000 Reported 32,869 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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,…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.

    Model years: 1996

  4. Webbing (seat belts)

    NHTSA 95V110000 Reported 113,343 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The front outer shoulder belt web sew stop can become stuck in the retractor. The belt can be difficult to pull out of the retractor and some occupants may not be able to fasten the belt.

    Remedy: Dealer will install a webbing stop button if the customer requests repair.

    Model years: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

  5. Rack and pinion (steering)

    NHTSA 91V157000 Reported 2,371 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The intermediate shaft to steering rack lower coupling pinch bolt may be missing.

    Remedy: Install pinch bolt.

    Model years: 1992

  6. Lamp (service brakes)

    NHTSA 91V158000 Reported 18,904 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Brake indicator light may not light when ignition is in the "on" position, the parking brake is applied, and the shift selector is in the park or neutral gear range.

    Remedy: Replace the prom in the body computer module to prevent this condition from occurring.

    Model years: 1990

  7. Floor shift (power train)

    NHTSA 90V164000 Reported 63,964 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Transaxle shift control cable may disengage from the from the floor shift control with loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.

    Remedy: Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip to prevent cable disengagement.

    Model years: 1990

  8. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 90V028000 Reported 10,166 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Misaligned rear seat safety belt shoulder retractor assemblies could cause pendulum interference, causing the belt to remain in locked position or to travel freely without locking.

    Remedy: Realign rear shoulder belt retractor assembly.

    Model years: 1990

  9. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 89V102000 Reported 1,755,897 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

    Model years: 1984, 1985

  10. Antilock (service brakes)

    NHTSA 89V055000 Reported 634 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    One or both ABS hydraulic unit mounting bolts may not be properly seated and could loosen.

    Remedy: Replace both ABS hydraulic unit mounting bolts.

    Model years: 1989

  11. Antilock (service brakes)

    NHTSA 89V056000 Reported 10,535 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Left front brake pipe may contact the cruise control servo bracket.

    Remedy: Replace left front brake pipe assembly.

    Model years: 1989

  12. Pump (steering)

    NHTSA 88V078000 Reported 65,136 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Insufficient clearance between the power steering pump pressure hose assembly and the transmission governor/speed sensor connector could cause abrasion of the hose.

    Remedy: Replace the power steering pump pressure hose.

    Model years: 1986, 1987

  13. Motor (visibility)

    NHTSA 82V110000 Reported 5,316 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    During windshield wiper operation, the noise suppresion capacitor in the wiper motor relay may overheat.

    Remedy: The dealer will modify the windshield wiper motor delay relay by removing the noise suppresion capacitor. This will be done free of charge.

    Model years: 1983

  14. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 82V012000 Reported 79,686 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Under certain vehicle operating conditions, the governor weight retainer in the injection pump may fail. The throttle valve could stick, preventing return to idle and shut down of the engine by the driver.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the governor weight assembly in the injection pump at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1982

  15. Suspension: upper arm

    NHTSA 81V073000 Reported 9,070 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The front left upper control arm nuts may not have been securely tightened. The nuts may loosen and come off and with continued driving the control arm front bolt may work its way out of position or become displaced.

    Model years: 1981

  16. Conventional (parking brake)

    NHTSA 79V069000 Reported 92 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems". An incorrect parking brake adjusting spring was installed on certain vehicles. This may cause interference when attempting to apply the parking brakes.

    Remedy: The caliper actuator assembly will be replaced without charge.

    Model years: 1979

  17. Exterior lighting

    NHTSA 79V002000 Reported 8,534 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The involved vehicles may have been assembled with clear lamp bulbs instead of the correct amber colored bulbs. As a result, these vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment", which requires that the front side marker lamps be amber when illuminated.

    Remedy: The dealer will install amber bulbs in the front side marker lamps on the involved vehicles at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1979

  18. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 78V139000 Reported 333,619 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The hub portion of the fan blade assembly could crack due to high stress levels generated during engine operating conditions. Eventually, the blade could break apart at the hub and blade pieces could be propelled into the engine. If the hood is open while the engine is running, the fragments would be free to fly from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the fan blade assembly without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1978

  19. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 76V175000 Reported 66,632 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1977

  20. Differential proportional valve (service brakes)

    NHTSA 76V168000 Reported 158 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1977

  21. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 76V160000 Reported 811,180 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1966

  22. Differential proportional valve (service brakes)

    NHTSA 75V214000 Reported 39,278 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1976

  23. Wheels

    NHTSA 75V142000 Reported 687 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

  24. Hubcap/cover (wheels)

    NHTSA 74V217000 Reported 2,578 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

  25. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 74V140000 Reported 2,562 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

  26. Suspension: upper arm

    NHTSA 73V250000 Reported 782,111 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1974

  27. Underbody shields (structure)

    NHTSA 73V013000 Reported 3,707,064 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The possibility exists that driving on unpaved road surfaces, particularly roads which are heavily graveled and which are extremely wavy or filled with chuckholes, at speeds which cause the car to pitch excessively, the front crossmember may scoop up loose stones or gravel and could be thrown into the engine compartment. It is possible…

    Remedy: Inspect and install shield on affected vehicles.

    Model years: 1971, 1972

  28. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 72V253000 Reported 688 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

  29. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 72V135000 Reported 41,711 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1972

  30. Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)

    NHTSA 72V059000 Reported 149 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1972

  31. Wheels

    NHTSA 72V013000 Reported 30,885 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1971

  32. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 70V003000 Reported 1,178 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1970

  33. Wheels

    NHTSA 70V002000 Reported 4,527 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1970

Other Buick models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.