1991 BUICK RIVIERA

1 recalls, 16 complaints - 4 TSBs

95V110000 May 31, 1995
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIR RESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.
113,343 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

16 total complaints 4 crashes 8 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
AIR BAGS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST1
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM1
POWER TRAIN1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT 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
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jul 1, 2002
Incident date: Jun 1, 1993
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC Jul 1, 2002
Incident date: Jun 1, 1993
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL May 14, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, TACKOMETER FAILED, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION CHECKED. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Dec 27, 2001
IN HOT WEATHER, ENGINE OVERHEATS AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT RESTART AFTER SHUTOFF, CONSUMER HAS TO LET IT SET A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START, THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED, RADIATOR HAS BEEN CLEANED, ENGINE HAS BEEN SERVICED, AND ANTI FREEZE HAS BEEN CHANGED, HOWEVER ENGINE CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. *... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Dec 27, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, TACKOMETER FAILED, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION CHECKED. *SLC
AIR BAGS Oct 20, 1998
Incident date: Sep 30, 1996
DURING COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG AND THE SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED, RESULTING IN INJURIES.
Crash 2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Oct 20, 1998
Incident date: Sep 30, 1996
DURING COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG AND THE SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED, RESULTING IN INJURIES.
Crash 2 injured
POWER TRAIN Sep 30, 1998
Incident date: Jul 20, 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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM Sep 10, 1998
Incident date: Aug 28, 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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Sep 10, 1998
Incident date: Aug 28, 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
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Aug 21, 1997
Incident date: Sep 30, 1996
THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANT.
Crash 2 injured
AIR BAGS Aug 21, 1997
Incident date: Sep 30, 1996
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURIES THAT INCLUDED CONTUSIONS.
Crash 2 injured
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL Nov 1, 1995
PARKING BRAKE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST Sep 25, 1995
THE VACUUM IS NOT WORKING EARLY IN MORNING. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1991 BUICK RIVIERA

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 16.0 24.0 19.0 Regular $3,300

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1991 BUICK RIVIERA

4 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
105300 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT1
061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)1
130089009 Sep 1, 2013
061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
577106A Feb 1, 1997
105300 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
COLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW
577106A Dec 1, 1996
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW
577106 Feb 1, 1995
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BUICK RIVIERA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA00006 Opened: Feb 22, 2000 , Closed: Mar 6, 2000
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1995
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2000 TO NHTSA, GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 85,253 MODEL YEAR 1995 BUICK RIVIERA AND OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES FOR THE DEFECT IN THE OUTBOARD REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES.
PE99059 Opened: Sep 15, 1999 , Closed: Feb 22, 2000
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1995
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
COMPLAINTS GENERALLY STATED THAT ONE OR BOTH OUTBOARD REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AT ALL AND ARE USELESS.IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT PROVIDE ANY TENSION AND HAVE EXCESS SLACK.THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY HAS A PLASTIC COVER NEXT TO THE RETRACTOR RETURN SPRING.ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTORS (G... Read more
EA94010 Opened: Feb 28, 1994 , Closed: Jun 16, 1995
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1990
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILS
There is no summary currently available
EA88036 Opened: Jul 22, 1988 , Closed: Aug 30, 1991
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1982
REAR DISC BRAKES
SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.

BUICK RIVIERA - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BUICK RIVIERA across all model years (1966, 1996).

46 Total Recalls
439 Total Complaints
4 Investigations
30 Reported Crashes
23 Reported Fires
5 Reported Deaths

BUICK RIVIERA - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
1999 0 12 View
1998 0 43 View
1997 0 48 View
1996 2 69 View
1995 1 177 View
1993 1 9 View
1992 2 17 View
1991 (current) 1 16
1990 5 16 View
1989 3 10 View
1988 1 1 View
1987 2 8 View
1986 2 2 View
1985 2 7 View
1984 2 0 View
1983 1 1 View
1982 1 1 View
1981 1 0 View
1979 2 0 View
1978 1 0 View
1977 2 0 View
1976 1 0 View
1975 3 0 View
1974 1 0 View
1973 1 1 View
1972 3 0 View
1971 2 0 View
1970 2 0 View
1969 0 1 View
1966 1 0 View

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SKYLARK 71 755 View
LACROSSE 64 2,885 View
LESABRE 64 4,872 View
ENCORE 41 854 View
ELECTRA 35 52 View