1992 Buick Riviera recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIR RESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 RIVIERA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V110000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SHOULDER BELTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; ORCADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO STEERING RACK LOWER COUPLING PINCH BOLT MAY BE MISSING.
What could happen: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND SHAFT DISENGAGEMENT OCCURS, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCED BY THE DRIVER WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL PINCH BOLT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 RIVIERA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V157000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO STEERING RACK LOWER COUPLING PINCH BOLT MAY BE MISSING.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND SHAFT DISENGAGEMENT OCCURS, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCED BY THE DRIVER WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL PINCH BOLT.
Notes: SYSTEM: STEERING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.NOTE: GENERAL MOTORS HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PRE-DELIVERY RECALL CAMPAIGN. ALLVEHICLES WILL BE CORRECTED BEFORE THEY ARE SOLD.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1992 Buick Riviera owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (3), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Vehicle Speed Control (2), Suspension (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/21/2006 · Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SEAT BELT CATCHES AND WILL NOT FEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO MENTIONED, NHTSA RECALL # 113343 PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELT WEBBING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 9/27/2006 - THE VEHICLW WAS ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN THE STEERING SHAFT COUPLER RECALL 91V-157000. THE DRIVER'S SEAT B…
09/04/2001 · Airbags · crash
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ILLEGALLY, AND CONSUMER HIT OTHER CAR ON REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED BUICK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
09/19/2000 · Wheels / tires
COOPER TIRE LIFE LINER, CLASSIC II, 205/70R15 WAS ON A BUICK, RIVIERA, 1992. WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED RIGHT FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED, CAUSING TREAD TO SEPARATE FROM SIDEWALL. THIS HAPPENED AFTER TRAVELING A SHORT DISTANCE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
09/15/1999 · Brakes
VEHICLE WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE GAUGE RED LINE APPEARED AND THE BRAKES BECAME VERY SPONGY. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITH REDUCED TRAFFIC AND INCREASED SPEED, COOLING OCCURED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EFFECTIVENESS RETURNED. CONTACTED DEALER. *ML
06/23/1999 · Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
05/14/1999 · Airbags · crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 30 MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
10/30/1998 · Equipment
EVAPORATOR CORE FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK.
11/06/1997 · Brakes
INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, AND CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER REPLACED WITH A "NEW" MASTER CYLINDER. *AK