- The problem
- Vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "Hydraulic brake systems". An incorrect parking brake adjusting spring was installed on certain vehicles. This may cause interference when attempting to apply the parking brakes.
- The fix
- The caliper actuator assembly will be replaced without charge.
Vehicle safety record
1979 Buick Riviera Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1979 Buick Riviera have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in March 1979 for the conventional.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Riviera year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1979 Buick Riviera recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The involved vehicles may have been assembled with clear lamp bulbs instead of the correct amber colored bulbs. As a result, these vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment", which requires that the front side marker lamps be amber when illuminated.
- The fix
- The dealer will install amber bulbs in the front side marker lamps on the involved vehicles at no cost to owner.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1979 Buick Riviera yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Buick Riviera: every year compared
All Riviera years1979 Buick Riviera vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 Buick Riviera | 0 | 2 | B | |
| 1979 Buick Regal | 3 | 5 | A | Compare |
| 1979 Buick Lesabre | 1 | 2 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1979 Buick Riviera
Does the 1979 Buick Riviera have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1979 Buick Riviera: conventional (March 1979); exterior lighting (January 1979). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1979 Buick Riviera had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1979 Buick Riviera a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 65 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Buick Riviera year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Riviera years have the most complaints?
1995 (130), 1996 (44), 1997 (43). See every Buick Riviera year compared.
What should I do if my 1979 Buick Riviera has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data