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Vehicle safety record

1992 Buick Riviera Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 1992 Buick Riviera with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (3) and the brakes (2). Those complaints describe 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 1995 for the webbing. For comparison, the 1991 has 8 and the 1993 has 6.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical Riviera year, for its age

#139 most complained-about 1992 vehicle

Complaints
12
Recalls
2
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Most common 1992 Buick Riviera problems

Share of all 12 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1992 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

Seat belts: webbing

95V110000113,343 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.

Steering: rack and pinion

91V1570002,371 vehicles affected

The problem
The intermediate shaft to steering rack lower coupling pinch bolt may be missing.
The risk
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 owners say

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12 complaints about the 1992 Buick Riviera

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

SteeringSeats & seat belts

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 belt would not lock up. *Nm

Filed Incident Steering · Seat beltsNHTSA 10166142
AirbagsCrash2 injuries

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

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 895662
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

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 870831
BrakesEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 845826
Electrical system

While driving smoke came out of the ignition. The dealer has been notified. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 840973
AirbagsCrash

Vehicle was involved in a head-on collision at 30 mph and the airbag did not deploy. The manufacturer has been notified. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 837976
Equipment & accessories

EVAPORATOR CORE FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK.

Filed Incident EquipmentNHTSA 542363
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

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 818432
Acceleration & cruise control

Engine did not deaccelerate after releasing accelerator pedal, instead, accelerated high speed, driver kept brakes applied to avoid high speed, no warning, two occurrances within 10 days, cause unknown.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 813582
Lights

Purchase car new the sentinel light doesn't work . Tt

Filed Exterior lightingNHTSA 976319
AirbagsCrashFire1 injury

Airbag did not deploy during front end accident; vehicle hit telephone pole. Tt

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 964142
Visibility & wipers

Windshield wipers skip across the windshield, cutting the vision in half, dealer said wiper design needs to be replaced. Tt tt

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 963707

Buick Riviera: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
199644201Engine & coolingF
1995130164Engine & coolingF
19936120BrakesF
199212231AirbagsF
19918110BrakesD
199017510BrakesF
19899300Body, doors & structureD
19881100Body, doors & structureA
All Riviera years

1992 Buick Riviera vs rivals

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.

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Questions about the 1992 Buick Riviera

Does the 1992 Buick Riviera have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1992 Buick Riviera: webbing (May 1995); rack and pinion (September 1991). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Buick Riviera?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (3), brakes (2), seats & seat belts (1).

How many complaints has the 1992 Buick Riviera had?

12 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 13, 1995 and the latest on August 21, 2006. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1992 Buick Riviera a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 13 out of 100 (grade F: far more 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?
What should I do if my 1992 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

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