Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1992 Buick Riviera: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 Buick Riviera, most recently filed May 1995. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 Buick Riviera. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1992 Buick Riviera. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 95V110000 Filed May 31, 1995

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SHOULDER BELTS

Seat belts · front · webbing
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported113,343 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 95V110000
Listed for 1992 Buick Riviera. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V157000 Filed Sep 18, 1991

STEERING:GEAR:SHAFT LOWER FLEXIBLE PINION

Steering · rack and pinion
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO STEERING RACK LOWER COUPLING PINCH BOLT MAY BE MISSING.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported2,371 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V157000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (12)

12 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
1involved a fire
3injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1992 Buick Riviera, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 12.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1992 compares with other Riviera years

Best and worst Riviera years →
1988198919901991199219931995199619971998
This year (1992)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined

19
mpg combined
16
city
24
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,550
CO₂ tailpipe
468 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year

Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1992 Buick Riviera configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19$3,550468

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1992 Riviera for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Riviera years

Where to next

1992 Buick Riviera FAQ

How many recalls does the 1992 Buick Riviera have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 95V110000 (seat belt), 91V157000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1992 Buick Riviera problems?

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (3), Service brakes (2), Vehicle speed control (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1992 Buick Riviera get?

EPA rates the 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined mpg.

How does the 1992 Riviera compare with other years?

Among the 1988–1998 Buick Riviera model years at least five years old, the 1988 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1995 the most (130). The 1992 drew 12. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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