Skip to content
Buick RivieraModel year report

1991 Buick Riviera Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
200,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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
19 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Buick Riviera (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1991 Buick Riviera. The part named most often is brakes, with 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by seat belts (2) and air bags (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 200,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the webbing 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.

Example complaints

Brakes: “The seatbelt in the front does not pull out. When it rains or snows the brake cause the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified. Please provide additional information. Ts”

NHTSA complaint #10005955, filed 2003-01, 200,000 miles

Engine cooling: “In hot weather, engine overheats and sometimes will not restart after shutoff, consumer has to let it set a few minutes before it will start, thermostat has been replaced, radiator has been cleaned, engine has been serviced, and anti freeze has been changed, however engine continues to overheat.”

NHTSA complaint #563848, filed 2001-12

Mileage 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 200,000 and 200,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–150100%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 200,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

19952199719982200120022003
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1991 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Riviera FWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162419$3,550

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

Recall details for the 1991 Buick Riviera → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.

Other model years of the Buick Riviera

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
1999655,8700—19—Not enough data
199829161,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19974394,3860—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199644116,2502—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199513075,1001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199351,2001—20—Not enough data
199212172,0002—19—Not enough data
19918200,0001—19—Not enough data
199016100,0004—19—Stable
19899147,0002—20—Not enough data
19875—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 1991 Buick Riviera have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1991 Buick Riviera as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1991 Buick Riviera is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by seat belts with 2.

Has the 1991 Buick Riviera been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1991 Buick Riviera get?

The EPA rates the 1991 Buick Riviera (Riviera, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Buick Riviera reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 200,000 miles and the middle half falls between 200,000 and 200,000 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.