RoadVitals

1989 Buick Riviera

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
9
Latest Nov 8, 2007
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.
3
Latest May 19, 2006
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 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Buick Riviera, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and interior & seats categories. 3 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure330.0%
  • Brakes330.0%
  • Interior & seats220.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 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
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
89V056000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Apr 5, 1989
10,535 units potentially affected
The defect: LEFT FRONT BRAKE PIPE MAY CONTACT THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BRACKET.
The risk: BRAKE LINE COULD WEAR THROUGH CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKEFLUID AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY; THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH.
The remedy: REPLACE LEFT FRONT BRAKE PIPE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
89V055000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Apr 5, 1989
634 units potentially affected
The defect: ONE OR BOTH ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED AND COULD LOOSEN.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE ABSHYDRAULIC UNIT FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET AND RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTIONAND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: REPLACE BOTH ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT MOUNTING BOLTS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 9
Brakes
Filed Nov 8, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 BUICK RIVIERA. ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007, THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHEN HE CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID, IT WAS LEVELED; HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE, THE FLUID FILLED UP AS IF THERE WAS A BACK UP SOMEWHERE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE SOME OF THE BRAKE FLUID. THE DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 89V056000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR ANTILOCK) APPLIES TO HIS VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ID
10208428
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Mileage
147,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 23, 2001

PLEASE REFERENCE NHTSA RECALL NO. 97V058/GM RECALL OF BUICK REGALS SOLD IN ILLINOIS 1998 - 1991. MY TIRE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON MY 1989 BUICK RIVIERA WERE TOTALLY CORRODED AND THAT THEY COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY MY GENRAL MOTORS DEALER WHO STATED THAT I COULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS POINTED OUT TO ME THAT BUICK HAD RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE RIVIERAS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES STILL ON THE ROAD...THEY ARE A UNIQUE VEHICLE AND IN DEMAND BY RIVIERA COLLECTORS. IF THIS CORROSION FAILURE OCCURRED ON MY EXCELLENTLY MAINTAINED VEHICLE, I AM CONCERNED THAT IT COULD POSE A LETHAL THREAT TO OTHER 1989 - 1991 BUICK RIVIERA OWNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PLEASE NOTE THAT BILL HEMBROUGH BUICK HAS BEEN SOLD TO LOU BACHRODT COMPANY IN ROCKFORD AND THAT THE REPLACEMENTS WERE DONE BY THE BACHRODT SERVICE DEPARTMENT.THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS NOTICE.*AK

NHTSA ID
753555
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Jun 5, 2000

CRADLE THAT HOLDS ENGINE CORRODED AND RUSTED TO THE POINT IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME IMPOSSIBLE

NHTSA ID
9000978
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed May 4, 2000

RECALL ? VERY UNSAFE !! BOTH FRONT "HYDRAULIC" (RUSTY, AND NOT WORKING)SEAT MECHANISMS (THAT LOOK LIKE 2 BLACK SHAPED "PISTONS") THAT ENGAGE WITH EACH END OF THE BOTTOM REAR PART OF THE TWO FRONT SEATS TO "WORK" SEATING POSITIONS BACK AND FORTH DOES NOT "ENGAGE" THE SEATS -- SO THAT THE BACK PART OF THE SEATS WHERE YOUR BACK RESTS UP AGAINST DOES ACTUALLY "LUNGE" FORWARD AT "STOPS" SO EVEN THOUGH YOU OR YOUR PASSENGER WEARS A "SAFETY BELT" -- NEITHER ONE OF YOU ARE TRULY "RESTRAINED" !! MEANING, IT WOULD NOT STOP YOU FROM GOING FORWARD INTO THE FRONT DASHBOARD OR WORSE YET -- THE WINDSHIELD !! VERY "UNSAFE" !! THE ELECTRICAL MECHANISM MOVES THE SEAT, BUT THE "PERMANENCE OF THE SEAT, THE "HYDRAULIC" MECHANISM'S ABILITY TO ATTACH/ENGAGE WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT" IS BROKEN ! *AK

NHTSA ID
722281
Incident
Nov 20, 1999
Body & structureFuel system
Filed May 4, 2000

AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP, FITTINGS, LINES... COSTING $467.00 ON 11/23/99 -- THE MECHANIC AND MANAGER INFORMED US OF THE IMMINENT DANGERS OF THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE OF "RUSTED-THROUGH CRADLE ARM AND BREAKING, RUSTY BOLTS PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE CRADLE" THAT WILL REQUIRE THAT THE ENGINE BE EXTRACTED AND THE "CRADLE" BE REPLACED (OR IF POSSIBLE? "WELDED" ?). WE JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, WHO DID LOTS OF "MAINTANENCE" AND "REPAIRS" AND LOTS OF MONEY $$$ ON THE 1989 BUICK RIVIERA. WE LOVE RIVIERA'S ! THIS "SEEMED" LIKE IT WAS IN "GOOD SHAPE" UNTIL THE "STEERING" WASN'T QUITE RIGHT, DRIFTING ON HIGHWAY (WITH OR WITHOUT ICY CONDITIONS) ! THEN, IT WAS DISCOVERED WHILE "ON THE LIFT" AT MIDWEST MARATHON IN PARMA WE HAVE PUT ALOT OF MONEY IN IT, TOO ! WE DO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF OUR CARS, AND LIKE OLDER MODELS RATHER THAN THE NEWER MODELS -- SO WE BOUGHT THIS WITH THE PLAN TO KEEP IT AWHILE ! WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INFORMATION AND HELP IN NOTIFYING GM/BUICK ABOUT THIS "ENGINE CRADLE" PROBLEM? ANY RECALLS ? WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR US !! WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OURSELVES ! THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE WE BELIEVE FOR THIS COSTLY REPAIR !! PLEASE, EMAIL US : [email protected] OR WRITE OR CALL US ! *AK

NHTSA ID
722279
Incident
Nov 23, 1999
Brakes
Filed Sep 17, 1999

WHEN APPLYNG THE BRAKES AT 35 TO 40 MPH, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. DEALER CUT ROTORS DOWN BEYOND SIZE REQUIRED BY STATE. THE ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
847954
Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 1999

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE MOTOR MODULE FOR THE ABS SYSTEM IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
844121
Incident
Jul 23, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 18, 1998

THE COMPUTER SCREEN ON INSTRUMENT PANEL KEPT BLINKING OFF & ON. TOOK TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WAS THE CAUSE. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER AS OF YET.*AK

NHTSA ID
826915
Incident
Apr 21, 1998

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
1989Viewing930—
1988112—
1987523—
1986223—
1985222—
1984022—
1983111—
1982111—
1981010—
1979020—
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.