1993 Buick Riviera Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 1,200miles, 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Buick Riviera (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1993 Buick Riviera. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 1,200 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
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.
- Air bags2 40%
- Brakes2 40%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Interior lighting1 20%
- Steering1 20%
- Wheels1 20%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Daughter was traveling approx. 45mph, according to police report, had lost control of vehicle after swerving. Hit enbankment on driver's side. Upon impact, air bag did not deploy. Vehicle flipped end over end. Driver died.”
NHTSA complaint #845031, filed 1999-09Brakes: “The brake pads are rubbing against the brake disc causing them to prematurely wear. Brakes pads broke apart while driving 40 MPH. Consumer was not applying brakes at this time all parts of brakes where distroyed. .et.”
NHTSA complaint #842236, filed 1999-08Electrical system: “Electrical short, when driving vehicle console lights go off and vehicle stalls, lights will flash. Dealer found a loose connection to the battery which was what was causing the problems, dealer did not charge consumer for repairs and problem seems to have been corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #805873, filed 1996-12Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,200 and 1,200 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 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 | 25 | 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
- 95V110000May 31, 1995Seat belts › Front › WebbingCovers: Buick Riviera 1990–1993, Oldsmobile Toronado 1990–1992, Cadillac Eldorado 1990–1991
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.
Recall details for the 1993 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.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1993 Buick Riviera have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1993 Buick Riviera as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Buick Riviera is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1993 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 1993 Buick Riviera get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Buick Riviera (Riviera, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 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 1993 Buick Riviera reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 1,200 miles and the middle half falls between 1,200 and 1,200 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.