Buick Riviera Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

Q: How many recalls does the Buick Riviera have?

The Buick Riviera has 5 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA, spanning model years 1992 through 1996. Individual vehicles may be subject to fewer recalls depending on their specific model year and production date.

Q: Is my Riviera under recall?

Whether your specific Riviera is subject to a recall depends on your vehicle's exact VIN, not just the model year. A recall may apply to a specific production date range or certain build configurations. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov/recalls to see which, if any, open recalls apply to your exact vehicle.

Q: What is the most recalled Riviera year?

Based on NHTSA recall data, the 1992 Buick Riviera has the most recall campaigns associated with it, with 2 campaigns. However, this reflects recall campaigns for that model year — not necessarily the number of defects in vehicles built that year.

5 recall campaigns on record across 3 model years of the Buick Riviera. Data sourced directly from NHTSA and updated daily.

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Recall Campaigns

269

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

3 affected model years11 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 1992

Affected Model Years

19962R · 45C 19951R · 107C 19922R · 16C

R = recalls · C = complaints. Click a year to see the full problems report.

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Seat/Restraints2 campaigns (40%)

Engine2 campaigns (40%)

Steering1 campaign (20%)

Most Common Owner Complaint Areas — Buick Riviera

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Based on 269 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years. 3 deaths and 11 injuries reported.

All Buick Riviera Recall Campaigns

#95V1100001992 Buick RivieraSeat/Restraints

Issued: Invalid Date

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

THE FRONT OUTER SHOULDER BELT WEB SEW STOP CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. THE BELT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR AND SOME OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FASTEN THE BELT.

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

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.

#91V1570001992 Buick RivieraSteering

Issued: Invalid Date

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO STEERING RACK LOWER COUPLING PINCH BOLT MAY BE MISSING.

Risk: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND SHAFT DISENGAGEMENT OCCURS, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCED BY THE DRIVER WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL PINCH BOLT.

#00V0570001995 Buick RivieraSeat/Restraints

Issued: Invalid Date

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SHOULDER BELT(S) DO NOT RETRACT. A RETAINER COULD SEPARATE FROM A REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WHICH RESULTS IN THE RETRACTOR RETURN SPRING BECOMING DISENGAGED.

Risk: IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES IF THERE IS EXCESSIVE SLACK IN THE SHOULDER BELT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH REAR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS FOR CORRECT FUNCTION AND INSTALL A SPRING COVER RETAINING STRAP TO EACH RETRACTOR. IF A RETRACTOR DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, IT WILL BE REPLA…

#96V1160001996 Buick RivieraEngine

Issued: Jan 7, 1996

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

#95V2040001996 Buick RivieraEngine

Issued: Invalid Date

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET T…

Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Recalls by Component

2Engine Recalls

#96V116000MY 1996

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

#95V204000MY 1996

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITI…

1Steering Recalls

#91V157000MY 1992

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO STEERING RACK LOWER COUPLING PINCH BOLT MAY BE MISSING.

Buick Riviera Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many recalls does the Buick Riviera have?

The Buick Riviera has 5 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 1992 through 1996.

Is my Riviera under recall?

Recall applicability depends on your specific VIN — not just the model year. Some recalls cover only certain production date ranges or trim levels. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov for an exact answer.

What is the most recalled Riviera year?

Based on NHTSA data, the 1992 Buick Riviera has the highest recall campaign count (2 campaigns). However, the total count of campaigns is not the same as the number of defects — some campaigns are issued as expansions of earlier recalls.

Does a Riviera recall mean my car is unsafe to drive?

Not necessarily. Recalls range from critical safety hazards — where NHTSA advises against driving — to minor inconveniences like a label error. Check the consequence field of each recall to understand the severity. If your specific VIN is subject to an open recall, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Who pays for recall repairs on a Riviera?

The manufacturer is legally required to pay for all recall repairs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner or whether the vehicle is out of warranty.

Check Your Specific Buick Riviera for Open Recalls

Model-level recall data tells you what campaigns exist. A VIN-specific check tells you exactly which ones apply to your vehicle — based on production date, serial number, and configuration.

Free VIN Check — Check My Riviera

Buick Riviera Problems & Complaints All Buick Recalls All Makes — Recall Center