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1990 Buick RivieraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 1990 Buick Riviera, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints161 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 13, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Buick Riviera has problems

16 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, hydraulic40
Exterior lighting30
Air bags31
Power train20
Electrical system20
Structure10
Engine and engine cooling10

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

4 recalls

1990 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

Front: webbing

Recall 95V-110 · May 31, 1995 · 113,343 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIR RESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: floor shift

Recall 90V-164 · Sep 6, 1990 · 63,964 vehicles

Risk. DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE ACTUAL GEARPOSITION THE TRANSAXLE IS IN, WHICH COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENTAND AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: retractor

Recall 90V-028 · Feb 12, 1990 · 10,166 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A PANIC STOP OR ACCIDENT, IF THE BELT RETRACTOR INERTIA LOCK DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF…

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

1990 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Buick Riviera, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILSEA94010 · closed Jun 16, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-110
In owners' words

What Riviera owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON ATTEMTPING TO STOP, BRAKE PEDAL GOT VERY HARD, CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO SKID OUT INTO TRAFFIC. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED PART NUMBER 1646523, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY…
Complaint 879294 · Jan 30, 2001
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY FAILING, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL, ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS
Complaint 548919 · Oct 7, 1999

Own a 1990 Riviera?

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