RoadVitals

1995 Buick Riviera Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
26
Latest Apr 29, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 130 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1995 Buick Riviera submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LATER FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN

NHTSA ID
10713537
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
96,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Nov 14, 2014
Fire reported

FOUL SMELL THEN PARKED AND WENT INSIDE MALL CAME BACK CAR HAD BEEN ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10655145
Incident
Nov 14, 2014
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,678. THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC. ON EACH OCCASION, THERE WAS A LOSS POWER BRAKES. IN APRIL 2013, THERE WERE FOUR INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A YEAR LATER, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10620930
Incident
Apr 10, 2013
Mileage
25,678 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2014

THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING AT DIFFERENT TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN 1999. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STALLS AND I LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL. EXPERIENCING LONG CRANKS BEFORE ENGINE WILL START. HOWEVER, ENGINE EVENTUALLY RESTARTS BUT ENGINE STALLS AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CAR WILL RUN WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS DONE ON THIS CAR REGARDING THIS ISSUE SUCH AS IGNITION MODULE. HAD REPAIRS DONE IN OCTOBER 2013 WHERE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CYLINDER AND KEY WERE REPLACED. IN APRIL 2014 BEGAN EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10597796
Incident
Sep 20, 2013
Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2014

THE INFO ABOVE IS APPROX. YOUR RECALL OF GM CARS WITH RE: TO IGNITION PROBLEMS MAY NOT BE BROAD ENOUGH. I TRADED IN MY 95 RIVIERA IN APRIL OF 2007 AFTER PLOWING $1500 INTO AND STILL NO SATISFACTORY REPAIR ON WHY IT WAS STALLING. THE LAST STALL WAS IN A THREE WAY INTERSECTION IN CHICAGO. EACH TIME IT STALLED I LOST POWER STEERING. I DON'T RECALL IF THE DEALER LOOKED AT IGNITION ISSUES. I DO RECALL THAT THEY WERE AT ONE POINT FOCUSED ON THE CARBURETOR. IT WAS BEING SERVICED BY A DEALER IN SCHAUMBERG, ILL. SORRY I DON'T HAVE BETTER RECALL OF DETAILS. ONCE I TRADED THE CAR, I TOSSED THE DOCUMENTATION. THE LAST STALL WAS SCARY AND THE REASON I TRADED THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10569453
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Mileage
35,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 10/24/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE OFTEN STALLED WHEN COASTING DOWN HILL OR TO A STOP. UPDATED 11/13/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID
10472587
Incident
Aug 27, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, BUT THE STALLING COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.*AK UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10186495
Incident
Dec 31, 2006
Mileage
55,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THE COOLANT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WAS ILLUMINATED. THE COOLANT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS A LEAK INTO UPPER PLENUM AND UPPER MANIFOLD. THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED AND THE MANIFOLD WAS CLEANED. THE PROBLEM RETURNED A YEAR LATER, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE SAME REPAIRS WERE MADE AS WELL AS VALVES AND ADAPTERS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ID
10171097
Incident
Oct 17, 2006
Mileage
147,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 1, 2004

PLASTIC RADIOR TANK CRACKS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH GM VEHICLES IN GENERAL. I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. CRACK SEEMS TO START AT MOUNTING BOLT FOR RADIOR. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED GM VEHICLES AND CURRENTLY OWN 3 HOWEVER, AT THE COST OF $400.00+ TO REPLACE MY PLASTIC RADIOR, I MAY HAVE TO RECONSIDER MY FUTURE PURCHASES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10074593
Incident
May 25, 2004
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 24, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 25-50 MPH ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10074125
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AS WELL AS THE LOWER INTAKE(PLENUM). (3.8L V6) THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY A FIRESTONE RETAIL STORE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT WERE THE REPAIR COSTS? I SURE AM CURIOUS. AS FAR AS PAINT, I HAD THE CAR PAINTED FOR $1000.00.

NHTSA ID
10070232
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
74,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 8, 2003

THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND THE MODULATION VALVE. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE EGR SYSTEM FAILED. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ID
10014557
Incident
Nov 27, 2002
Mileage
137,971 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2003

NAR 03-27-2003 MR ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION OR COOLANT LEAK INSPECT FOR MATERIAL DEGRADATION/ REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLDS. 1995-97 BUICK RIVIERA, 1995-98- BUICK LESABRE, PARK AVENUE, 1996-98 BUICK REGAL, 1998 CHEV LUMINA, MONTE CARLO, 1995-98 OLDSMOBILE 98, 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, 1995-98 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, 1997-98 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. *CB

NHTSA ID
10014536
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
EngineVisibility
Filed Mar 20, 2002

HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING AND ENGINE COOLING FAN WERE NOT OPERATING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8006044
Incident
Sep 15, 2001
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 13, 2002
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8005584
Incident
Sep 13, 2001
Engine
Filed Mar 22, 2001

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. *AK DRIVEING THIS VEHICLE ON FREE WAY COULD BE DANGEROUS, BECAUSE IT COMPLETELY STALLS. *YH

NHTSA ID
883778
Incident
Jan 30, 2001
EngineTransmission
Filed Nov 19, 2000

TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON/NEEDED FOR SNOWY CONDITIONS HERE IN NEW ENGLAND. REPL'D BRAKE PRESS. MOD.VALVE. HEAT ON DRIVERS SIDE DOESN'T THROW OUT MUCH HOT AIR. HAD IT CHK'D TWICE/O-RINGS REPL'D/ AND IT STILL ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY -(11/2000) NEW OIL PAN NEEDED. *AK

NHTSA ID
736558
Incident
May 18, 1999
BrakesEngineSeat belts+1 more
Filed Jul 20, 2000

BOTH REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT, ENGINE HAS SEVERE SKIP WHEN ACSENDING HILL IN OVERDRIVE 9DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE) AND ANTI-LOCK/ TRACTION LIGHT COME ON, OCCASIONALLY BRAKES SEEM TO STICK AFTER COMING TO STOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
725728
Incident
May 20, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2000

WHILE DRIVING 25-50MPR, WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING POWER STEERING LOSS, AND THE INTERIOR LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSE RAPPIDLY. ONLY AFTER COASTING OFF THE HIGHWAY COMING TO A STOP, PUTTING THE CAR IN "PARK" TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, AND WAITING A COUPLE OF MINUTES WILL THE CAR RESTART. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE! NEED A RESOLUTION, BECAUSE THE FAMILY REFUSES TO ENTER THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID
725331
Incident
Jul 8, 2000
Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
721629
Incident
Mar 10, 2000
Engine
Filed Sep 30, 1999

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND DEALER DISCOVERED THAT TURBO CHARGER WHICH SITS ON TOP OF THE MOTOR HAD FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
849612
Incident
Sep 28, 1999
Engine
Filed May 6, 1998

ENGINE STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND OTHER VEHICLE FUNCTIONS. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT.DEALERS CANNOT DUPLICATE. *AK

NHTSA ID
823124
EngineSteering
Filed Feb 25, 1998

EXTENSIVE LEAKAGE AROUND THE TIMING CHAIN BELT, GASKETS REPLACED, RESULTING IN THE NECESSITY OF COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
531377
Incident
Jan 12, 1998
Engine
Filed Jan 21, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE SERPENTINE BELTS BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN VERY HOT. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP TO 270 DEGREES. OWNER WILL BE CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
818347
Incident
Oct 14, 1997
Engine
Filed Oct 28, 1997

FOUR-INCH SUPER CHARGER GASKET HAS NO DOW OR BOLT THAT HOLDS GASKET IN PLACE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DROP IN ACCELERATION/STALLING AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE. RESULT: BLEW THREE INCH HOLE IN COMPARTMENT AREA. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED @ 21,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
817830
Incident
Feb 28, 1996

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .