AI DamageBuick Riviera: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Buick Riviera across 18 model years: 316 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 49 complaints (16% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 45 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 42 complaints (13% of all).
- Steering: 39 complaints (12% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 35 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1986–1997named in 4 complaints
- 3.8 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 1984–1999named in 3 complaints
- 4.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1984
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1984–1985
- 5.7 L · diesel · 8 cyl 1984–1985
- automatic, 4-speed 1984–1999
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 316 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 49 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 45 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 42 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 39 | 3 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 35 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 34 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 20 | 12 | 0 |
| Structure | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving 70 mph with the cruise control engaged, gas pedal descended to the floor, causing the vehicle to surge to 120 mph. When attempting to brake vehicle vibrated violently which burned the brake pads. Vehicle continued to drive at 120 mph for half a mile before driver was able to shut off the engine.
Upon impact, driver's side airbag didn't deploy. Consumer has not contacted buick. Please provide any further information.
In addition the car seems to be loosing 2nd gear, car vibrates and makes noises at lower speeds.
Consumer was traveling about 30mph and all four tires' tread separated, and vehicle veered into median strip.
Vehicle was rearended while at a standstill. Driver's seat collapsed backwards due to back breaking. Bottom of tracks was twisted.
Pe00 020; was traveling about 40mhp on the highway vehicle threw him sideways and he hits some bushes vehicle was damaged.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.