The most-reported Riviera run is 1G4GD221XS4 (1995 builds) with 10 complaints, 5.6× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 16% of reports; 1995 is the worst model year at 2.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for Riviera model years 1981–1996.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Riviera has 136 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 17% of every Riviera complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G4GD221XS4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2215S4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2213S4•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G4GD2214S4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2219S4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2211S4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2218S4•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2216T4•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2215V4•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2210T4•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G4GD2213T4•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G4EZ13C5LU•••••• | 1990 | — | — |
Each of the other 124 Riviera runs has 4 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Riviera the gap between build years is 2.3×: a 1995 car draws 2.3 complaints per run, a 1999 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 1998 | 20 | 12 | 2 | |
| 1997 | 35 | 22 | 2 | |
| 1996 | 39 | 21 | — | |
| 1995 | 100 | 43 | 2 | |
| 1993 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1992 | 12 | 9 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 1990 | 12 | 8 | — | |
| 1989 | 8 | 5 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1995 at 2.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1999 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 16% of everything Buick Riviera owners report: Service Brakes, 36 of 246 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | |
| Steering | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 3 | |
| Electrical System | — | 2 | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Seat Belts | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 17 recall campaigns on the Buick Riviera; the 6 below cover build years 1984 to 1996. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1984–1989 |
| 95V110000 | Seat Belts:front:webbing | 1990–1993 |
| 88V078000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump | 1986–1987 |
| 89V102000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1984–1985 |
| 96V116000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System | 1996 |
| 95V204000 | Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module | 1996 |
The Riviera against its rivals
The Riviera draws 1.8 complaints per production run; the Lincoln Mark 4.3 and the Chevrolet Lumina 2.6. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Riviera | 246 | 136 | 4.9% | |
| Lincoln Mark | 426 | 100 | 4.9% | |
| Chevrolet Lumina | 2,178 | 840 | 6.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 246 reports on the Buick Riviera, 4.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Buick Riviera | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 246 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 12 (4.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 9 (3.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Buick Riviera share of that is 246 complaints over 136 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Riviera VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 246 NHTSA complaints from 136 Riviera runs and 17 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Riviera production run has the most complaints?
1G4GD221XS4, a 1995 build, with 10 complaints. The typical Riviera run has 1.8.
Which Riviera years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1995 is heaviest at 2.3 complaints per run and 1999 lightest at 1.
Does the Riviera get more complaints than the Lincoln Mark?
No: 1.8 complaints per production run for the Riviera against 4.3 for the Lincoln Mark.
How many Riviera complaints involve a crash?
4.9% of 246 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 9 involved a fire.
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