Buick Riviera Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Buick Riviera model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1982 drew the fewest (1) and the 1995 the most (130).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Suspension | — | — |
| 1983 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 1988 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Structure | — | 20 |
| 1985 | 2 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 17–21 |
| 1986 | 2 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 20 |
| 1987 | 5 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 19 |
| 1993 | 5 | 1 | Air bags | — | 20 |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 | Steering | — | 19 |
| 1991 | 8 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 19 |
| 1989 | 9 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 20 |
| 1992 | 12 | 2 | Air bags | — | 19 |
| 1990 | 16 | 4 | Service brakes | — | 19 |
| 1998 | 29 | 0 | Steering | — | 19 |
| 1997 Among the most complaints |
43 | 0 | Steering | — | 19–20 |
| 1996 Among the most complaints |
44 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 19–21 |
| 1995 Among the most complaints |
130 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 20 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Buick Riviera years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1995 Buick Riviera: 130 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 21 (16%); Seat belts 21 (16%); Power train 18 (14%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,200 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
1996 Buick Riviera: 44 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 8 (18%); Service brakes 8 (18%); Fuel system 7 (16%).
Reports mention 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 120,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1997 Buick Riviera: 43 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 10 (23%); Electrical system 6 (14%); Engine and engine cooling 6 (14%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 95,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Buick Riviera years with the fewest complaints
1983 Buick Riviera: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 1 (100%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Buick Riviera owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 29 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 43 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 95,000 |
| 1996 | 44 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 120,000 |
| 1995 | 130 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 75,200 |
| 1993 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1992 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Buick Riviera recalls
- EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL (1984–1985 model years; 1,755,897 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1989; 89V102000)
- GM/FUEL:CARBURETOR:SINGLE:MANIFOLD:INTAKE (1996 model year; 275,811 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 1996; 96V116000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SHOULDER BELTS (1990–1993 model years; 113,343 vehicles across all models; filed May 1995; 95V110000)
- GM/REAR SHOULDER BELTS (1995 model year; 85,253 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2000; 00V057000)
- FUEL:FUEL INJECTION:UNKNOWN TYPE:ACCUMULATOR (1982 model year; 79,686 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 1982; 82V012000)
All 15 Buick Riviera recall campaigns · Buick Riviera problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Buick Riviera years FAQ
Which Buick Riviera year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1982 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Buick Riviera years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1995, 1996 and 1997 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Buick Riviera problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (49 of 314 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Buick Riviera have?
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns covering the Buick Riviera. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Buick Riviera recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.