Menu

1985 Buick RivieraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1985 Buick Riviera, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints22 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 27, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Buick Riviera has problems

2 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
Engine and engine cooling22
Fuel system, gasoline11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1985 Buick Riviera recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 89V-102 · Jun 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 vehicles

Risk. SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other Riviera year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Riviera median. How we score

'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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Buick Riviera, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. REAR DISC BRAKESEA88036 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Riviera owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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) *JG
Complaint 564509 · Feb 27, 2002

Own a 1985 Riviera?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.