RoadVitals

1991 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.
8
Latest Jan 30, 2003
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.
1
Latest May 31, 1995
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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Buick Riviera, most frequently naming the brakes, seat belts and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Brakes545.5%
  • Seat belts218.2%
  • Airbags19.1%
  • Driver assistance19.1%
  • Engine19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%

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

1 campaign 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
95V110000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

May 31, 1995
113,343 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIR RESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesSeat belts
Filed Jan 30, 2003

THE SEATBELT IN THE FRONT DOES NOT PULL OUT. WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS THE BRAKE CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
10005955
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 1, 2002

WHEN APPLYING BRAKE UNDER NORMAL BRAKING SITUATIONS THERE IS EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, AND CALIPERS ONCE. PLEASE ADD FURTHER DEATAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013064
Incident
Jun 1, 1993
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 10, 2001

WHILE DRIVING, TACKOMETER FAILED, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION CHECKED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
563848
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER CAN'T DETERMINE HOW FAST VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AND HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAID THE VEHICLE ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ID
828394
Incident
Jul 20, 1998
Brakes
Filed Sep 10, 1998

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE CAR DID NOT STOP AT ALL. BUICK STATES THE BOOSTER HAD BEEN MODIFIED TO IMPROVE BRAKES. HOWEVER, DEALER STATES THE BOOSTER IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

NHTSA ID
827783
Incident
Aug 28, 1998
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Mar 3, 1997
Crash reported2 injuries reported

DURING COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG AND THE SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED, RESULTING IN INJURIES.

NHTSA ID
515341
Incident
Sep 30, 1996
Brakes
Filed Nov 1, 1995

PARKING BRAKE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID
974353
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 1995

THE VACUUM IS NOT WORKING EARLY IN MORNING. TT

NHTSA ID
972366

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

577106A

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

COLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW

577106A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW

577106

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1991Viewing810—
1990165151.7
1989930—
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.