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Buick RivieraYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 316 NHTSA owner complaints across 30 model years, the Buick Riviera years to avoid are 1995, and the strongest years are 1996, 1997 and 1998. The Riviera has 33 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoid'95Based on weighted complaintsBest years'96 '97 '98Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints316Top: Service brakes, hydraulicSafety recalls331966–1999 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Buick Riviera years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Riviera median. Tap a year for its full report.

'66'69'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'95'96'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1999Not rated–/1006 complaints · 0 recalls1998Solid58/10029 complaints · 0 recalls1997Solid46/10043 complaints · 0 recalls1996Solid54/10044 complaints · 2 recalls1995Avoid25/100130 complaints · 1 recall1993Not rated–/1005 complaints · 1 recall1992Not rated–/10012 complaints · 2 recalls1991Not rated–/1008 complaints · 1 recall1990Not rated–/10016 complaints · 4 recalls1989Not rated–/1009 complaints · 2 recalls1988Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1987Not rated–/1005 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall1985Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall1984Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1983Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1982Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1981Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1978Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1977Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1976Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1975Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1974Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1973Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1972Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1971Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1970Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1969Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1966Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Buick Riviera problems

All model years combined: 316 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic464
Engine and engine cooling455
Electrical system424
Steering393
Power train352
Seat belts341
Air bags2012
Structure172
Fuel system, gasoline163
17 other systems939
33 recalls

Buick Riviera recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Front: webbing00V-057 · 1995 · Feb 28, 2000 · 85,253 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system96V-116 · 1996 · Jul 1, 1996 · 275,811 vehicles–Anti-theft: control module95V-204 · 1996 · Oct 23, 1995 · 32,869 vehicles–Front: webbing95V-110 · 1990–1993 · May 31, 1995 · 113,343 vehicles–Steering: rack and pinion91V-157 · 1992 · Sep 18, 1991 · 2,371 vehicles–Brake fluid low warning: lamp91V-158 · 1990 · Sep 13, 1991 · 18,904 vehicles–Lever and linkage: floor shift90V-164 · 1990 · Sep 6, 1990 · 63,964 vehicles–Front: retractor90V-028 · 1990 · Feb 12, 1990 · 10,166 vehicles–Vehicle speed control89V-102 · 1984–1985 · Jun 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 vehicles–Service brakes, air: antilock89V-056 · 1989 · Apr 5, 1989 · 10,535 vehicles–Service brakes, air: antilock89V-055 · 1989 · Apr 5, 1989 · 634 vehicles–Hydraulic power assist: pump88V-078 · 1986–1987 · May 10, 1988 · 65,136 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 33 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

8 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Riviera

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREEA07008 · 1999 · closed May 1, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-118
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · 1996–2000 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
  3. REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOREA00006 · 1995 · closed Mar 6, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-057
  4. REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORPE99059 · 1995–1996 · closed Feb 22, 2000
    No recall
  5. SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILSEA94010 · 1990 · closed Jun 16, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-110
  6. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · 1984–1988 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  7. REAR DISC BRAKESEA88036 · 1982–1988 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
  8. STALLINGEA87022 · 1986–1987 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall