AI Damage1993 Buick Riviera: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Buick Riviera filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 40% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 40% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 20% of all complaints
- Air bags: 2 complaints (40% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (40% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Wheels: 1 complaints (20% of all).
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
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 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.
Upon impact, air bag did not deploy. Vehicle flipped end over end. Driver died.
Three of the aluminum wheels , both front and one right rear, are experiencing problem with air pressure loss. Every three days consumer has to replace air in all three tires. All the tires and the stems were replaced, but problem recurred.the dealer was notified.
The brake pads are rubbing against the brake disc causing them to prematurely wear. Brakes pads broke apart while driving 40 mph. Consumer was not applying brakes at this time all parts of brakes where distroyed..et.
Electrical short, when driving vehicle console lights go off and vehicle stalls, lights will flash. Dealer found a loose connection to the battery which was what was causing the problems, dealer did not charge consumer for repairs and problem seems to have been corrected.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Riviera has 18 complaints (18 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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 years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Buick Riviera?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (20%), brake failure (20%), stalls while driving (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 Buick Riviera?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1993 Buick Riviera from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1993 models
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.