RecallMyCar

1990 Buick Riviera Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1990 Buick Riviera, and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
16
owner complaints to NHTSA
1 / 0
complaints citing a crash / fire
19
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 1990 Buick Riviera

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1990 Buick Riviera have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 100,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 5 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Vehicle hesitate d before accelerating. Dealership will be notified. *ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 13, 2004 · Engine and engine cooling

“ABS braking problem, when applying brakes there is noise and less braking power. *ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 11, 2002 · Service brakes, hydraulic

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1990 Buick Riviera. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19 mpg
City / Highway16 / 25
FuelRegular
EPA classMidsize Cars
Engine6 cyl, 3.8 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Compare Buick Riviera model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Buick Riviera model year in NHTSA's database.

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

Checking a specific 1990 Buick Riviera

How do I know if my 1990 Buick Riviera has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1990 Buick Riviera; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Buick dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 90V028000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

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.