1995 Buick Riviera Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Buick Riviera, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine2616.4%
- Seat belts2113.2%
- Electrical1710.7%
- Transmission1610.1%
- Brakes148.8%
- Steering138.2%
- Airbags85.0%
- Body & structure85.0%
- Fuel system85.0%
- Visibility63.8%
- Interior & seats53.1%
- Suspension53.1%
- Driver assistance42.5%
- Powertrain (other)21.3%
- Exterior lighting21.3%
- Tires & wheels21.3%
- Heating & air conditioning10.6%
- Other / unspecified10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
FOUL SMELL THEN PARKED AND WENT INSIDE MALL CAME BACK CAR HAD BEEN ON FIRE. *TR
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT SUPPORT THE DRIVER. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM ON 5/32004 CONSUMER WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A 18 WHEELER. THEY REPLACED THE SEAT BELT WITH A NEW ONE AND THE SAME PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE DESIGN OF THIS GM BELT IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT PROVIDE PROTECTION DURING SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENTS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES ALL BUICK RIVIERA'S NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH BELTS THAT WILL WORK AND GIVE PROTECTION . *BF *NM
THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT AS WELL AS THE RIGHT SIDE. THE REAR SEATS WERE RARELY USED. THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 00V057000 REAR SHOULDER BELTS BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED WITH KEYS OUT. THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL WITH NO OCCUPANT AND EVENTUALLY HIT A TRUCK. THE KEYS WILL COME OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL IF NOT COMPLETELY IN PARK, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAY IT IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. IN ADDITION THE CAR SEEMS TO BE LOOSING 2ND GEAR, CAR VIBRATES AND MAKES NOISES AT LOWER SPEEDS.*AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES HAVE A TENDENCY TO MOMENTARILY DELAY IN STOPPING. NOTICED THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES UPON LEAVING PARKING LOTS AT SLOW SPEEDS (5 - 10 MPH). PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN BARELY ACCELERATING & THEN APPLYING BRAKE TO STOP. CAN FEEL BRAKES LOCK UP UNDER BRAKE PEDAL. HASN'T CREATED AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY IN THE WINTER TIME. NEVER HAD ANY LIGHTS OR WARNING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL. HAVE ALSO NOTICED PROBLEM IN THE FRONT WHEELS WHILE MANUEVERING TIRES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. FEELS LIKE TIRES POPPING AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL (EXAMPLE ONLY). TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SAY IT'S THE TRACTION CONTROL & THAT IT'S NORMAL. BRAKES SEEM TO PULSATE. REPLACEMENT ON ROTORS & BRAKES. *LA
ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE DELAYED BEFORE STOPPING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. THE STEERING COLUMN SUPPORT BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS WERE UNDER TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY. MY VEHICLE HAS WIRING PROBLEMS AND STARTING PROBLEMS THAT COME AND GO. INADEQUATE TORQUE CAN CAUSE THESE BOLTS TO VIBRATE LOOSEN OR FALL OUT RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL SUPPORT BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1995 BUICKS BUT NOT INCLUDING MY BUICK. *TR
PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE AT LOW RPM'S. PUMP WAS REPLACED WITHOUT RESOLVE OF ISSUE. *AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEFLATED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. IN ADDITION, HORN FAILED AND CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 20-25 MPH CONSUMER HAD REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IT BURSTED THROUGH WINDSHIELD AND LANDED ON HOOD OF VEHICLE . PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUL SMELL THEN PARKED AND WENT INSIDE MALL CAME BACK CAR HAD BEEN ON FIRE. *TR
PAINT IS SPLITTING, THEN BLISTERING AND FINALLY POPPING CLEAR OF THE PRIMER. THIS STARTED ALONG BOTH FRONT FENDER 'SEAMS' WHERE THEY MEET THE HOOD. PROBLEM THEN BEGAN ALONG TOP AND BACK SIDE OF TRUNK; THEN REAR FENDERS AND FINALLY INVOLVED ALL PANELS OF THE VEHICLE WITHIN A ONE-YEAR PERIOD. PRIMER SHOWS FIRST AS A GREEN SHADE THAT FADES TO GREY. GM TELLS ME THIS IS 'EXCESSIVE ULTRAVIOLET EXPOSURE' EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT - EVIDENTLY THESE CARS SUFFER FROM SUNBURN? OVER 50% OF THE PAINT ON THIS VEHICLE IS INVOLVED.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, BEGAN TO SMELL ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, OPENED HOOD TO WITNESS FUEL SUPPLY LINE TO REAR FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAKING ON TO TOP OF ENGINE. FUEL CONTINUED TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE EVEN AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FLEX FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109000.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR HAS WATER INSIDE,VISABILITY IS ABOUT 40%.DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE SAYING GLASS IS NOT COVERD. MIRROR IS SUPPOSED TO CHANGE FROM LIGHT TO DARK WHEN HEADLIGHTS HIT IT, IT DOESN'T WORK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE LEANING BACK IN SEAT THE SEATBACK OF THE SEAT BROKE IN HALF. *AK
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK, FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: CONTACT WAS GOING TO BUY A CAR FROM FALLS CHRYSLER JEEP AND DODGE. IT WAS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. HE CRAWLED UP UNDER THE CAR AND SAW THE WHOLE ARM THAT COE OUT FROM THE SUB FRAME THAT HOLD THE WHEEL ON WAS RUSTED THROUGH PAPER THIN. HE DID NOT BUY THE VEHICLE BUT LATER CALLED TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE RUST HE NOTICED ,AND THEY TOLD HIM THEY HAD SOLD THE VEHICLE TO SOMEONE, AND THEY HAD SIGNED THREE DIFFERENT PAPERS. HE DID NOT CARE IF THE CAR BROKE DOWN AFTER IT LEF TTHE LOT. *AK
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AT 35,000 MILES IN APRIL 1999. I DID NOT TAKE INTO DEALER UNTIL DECEMBER 1999 BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. SO, INSTEAD OF TAKING TO DEALER AND FOR POTENTIAL MAJOR EXPENSE OF CORRECTING TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM I CHOSE TO LIVE WITHOUT TRACTION CONTROL. IN DECEMBER 1999 I TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF LOOKING AT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON. WAS INFORMED ABS SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND REPLACED VALVE KIT. COST WAS $870.76!!! VEHICLE ALSO MADE A POPPING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. WAS ADVISED THAT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THEY REPLACED SAME DATE. TOTAL COST $378.25. DID NOT SOLVE POPPING NOISE ON RIGHT TURNS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEFLATED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. IN ADDITION, HORN FAILED AND CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL START TO ACCELERATE, AND THEN DECELERATE. OTHER TIMES VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, BEGAN TO SMELL ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, OPENED HOOD TO WITNESS FUEL SUPPLY LINE TO REAR FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAKING ON TO TOP OF ENGINE. FUEL CONTINUED TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE EVEN AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES CAUSING MANY COMPONENTS TO FAIL, DEFROSTER, SIGNALS, ETC.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS, THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND WOULD STICK ON THE DELAY MODE, MUTLTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED IN ORDER TO CORRECT STICKING PROBLEM. *MJS
HEATER FAN INOPERABLE DUE TO SHORTED WIRE IN THE RELAY CENTER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUT OF FOUR TIRES PURCHASED FROM WAL-MART I HAVE HAD THE RADIAL BELTS SEPARATE ON TWO OF THEM---OF COURSE IT MADE THE CAR VERY WOBBLY AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT REPLACED BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG---THE TIRE WAS BULGING BY THE TIME I GOT IT TO A REPAIR PLACE---I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS AND POSSIBLY INVESTIGATE-IT FRIGHTENED ME TO KNOW THAT TWO OF FOUR WERE DEFECTIVE AND ALTHOUGH WAL-MART WAS VERY KIND AND REPLACED BOTH (UNDER WARRANTY) I AM STILL VERY CONCERNED THAT GOODRICH MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS FIRESTONE---THANK YOU.
FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES CAUSE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING, DEALER REPLACED ORIGINAL TIRES WITH NEW ONES. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIR CONDITIONING AND TRANASMISSION HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG , THE TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES DOES NOT SHIFT AND STICKS IN FIRST GEAR , THE AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT BLOW COOL OR COLD AIR WHEN IT IS HOT AND MUGGY OUT. IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BLOW COOL AIR ON ONE SIDE AND HOT AIR ON ANOTHER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .