RoadVitals

1979 Buick Riviera

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 13, 1979
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1979 Buick Riviera. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
79V069000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

Mar 13, 1979
92 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS". AN INCORRECT PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTING SPRING WAS INSTALLED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. THIS MAY CAUSE INTERFERENCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKES.
The remedy: THE CALIPER ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V002000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jan 5, 1979
8,534 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH CLEAR LAMP BULBS INSTEAD OF THE CORRECT AMBER COLORED BULBS. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT", WHICH REQUIRES THAT THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LAMPS BE AMBER WHEN ILLUMINATED.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AMBER BULBS IN THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LAMPS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Riviera by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000001—
1999602—
1998290144.2
1997430144.9
1996442247.8
19951301248.9
1994000—
1993510—
1992122052.4
1991810—
1990165151.7
1989930—
1988112—
1987523—
1986223—
1985222—
1984022—
1983111—
1982111—
1981010—
1979Viewing020—
1978010—
1977020—
1976010—
1975030—
1974010—
1973110—
1972030—
1971020—
1970020—
1969100—
1966010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.