Buick Riviera Reliability
437 NHTSA complaints (1982–1999). Complaint rate: 5141.2 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1995–1998 Buick Riviera. The 1993 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Buick Riviera Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 27 | 3.7% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 18 | 5.6% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 17 | 0.0% |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 16 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 13 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 13 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 12 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 12 | 0.0% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 | 75.0% |
| STEERING | 11 | 9.1% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985GOOD | — | 7 | 0 | 7 | View 1985View→ |
| 1986GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | — | View 1986View→ |
| 1987GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View 1987View→ |
| 1989 | — | 10 | 0 | — | View 1989View→ |
| 1990 | — | 16 | 1 | — | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 16 | 4 | — | View 1991View→ |
| 1992 | — | 17 | 3 | 1 | View 1992View→ |
| 1993GOOD | — | 9 | 4 | — | View 1993View→ |
| 1995AVOID | — | 177 | 8 | 6 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996AVOID | — | 69 | 0 | 1 | View 1996View→ |
| 1997AVOID | — | 48 | 3 | 5 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998AVOID | — | 43 | 3 | 2 | View 1998View→ |
| 1999 | — | 12 | 3 | — | View 1999View→ |
See also: Buick Rivieraaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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