1989 Buick Riviera Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 147,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Buick Riviera (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1989 Buick Riviera. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by body and structure (3) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 147,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 33%
- Body and structure3 33%
- Electrical system1 11%
- Fuel system1 11%
- Seats1 11%
Example complaints
Brakes: “The contact owns a 1989 Buick Riviera. On november 7, 2007, the brakes failed after the vehicle was started. The contact stated that the check ABS light had been illuminating intermittently for a couple of weeks prior to the failure. When he checked the brake fluid, it was leveled; however, after driving the vehicle for a while, the fluid filled up as if there was a back up somewhere. As a result, the contact would have to remove some of the brake fluid. The dealer and general motors have not been notified. …”
NHTSA complaint #10208428, filed 2007-11, 147,000 milesBody and structure: “Please reference NHTSA recall no. 97v058/GM recall of Buick regals sold in illinois 1998 - 1991. My tire technician noted that the cradle bolts and retainers on my 1989 Buick Riviera were totally corroded and that they could fail at any time. This was confirmed by my genral motors dealer who stated that I could lose steering control and the problem should be corrected immediately. It was pointed out to me that Buick had recalled other models for this problem, but that the rivieras were not included in the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #753555, filed 2001-10Electrical system: “The computer screen on instrument panel kept blinking off & on. Took to mechanic & was informed that an electrical short was the cause. Vehicle had not been taken to a dealer as of yet.”
NHTSA complaint #826915, filed 1998-08Fuel system: “At the time of the repair/replacement of the fuel pump, fittings, lines... Costing $467.00 on 11/23/99 -- the mechanic and manager informed us of the imminent dangers of the loss of steering control due to the severity of the of rusted-through cradle arm and breaking, rusty bolts pertaining to the engine cradle that will require that the engine be extracted and the cradle be replaced (or if possible? Welded ?). We just purchased the vehicle from a private owner, who did lots of maintanence and repairs and lots of money $$$ on the 1989 Buick Riviera. We love Riviera's ! …”
NHTSA complaint #722279, filed 2000-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 147,000 and 147,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Buick Riviera version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V055000Apr 5, 1989Service brakes, air › AntilockCovers: Buick Riviera 1989, Cadillac Seville 1989, Oldsmobile Toronado 1989 +1 more
One or both abs hydraulic unit mounting bolts may not be properly seated and could loosen.
- 89V056000Apr 5, 1989Service brakes, air › AntilockCovers: Buick Riviera 1989, Reatta 1989, Oldsmobile Toronado 1989
Left front brake pipe may contact the cruise control servo bracket.
Recall details for the 1989 Buick Riviera → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Buick Riviera.
Other model years of the Buick Riviera
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 6 | 55,870 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 29 | 161,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 43 | 94,386 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 44 | 116,250 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 130 | 75,100 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 5 | 1,200 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 12 | 172,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | 200,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 16 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 9 | 147,000 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Riviera model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Buick Riviera have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1989 Buick Riviera as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Buick Riviera is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by body and structure with 3.
Has the 1989 Buick Riviera been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Buick Riviera get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Buick Riviera (Riviera, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Buick Riviera reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 147,000 miles and the middle half falls between 147,000 and 147,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.