Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 1993 Buick Riviera — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
9
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
4
Injuries
2
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 2 | 22% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 2 | 22% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 2 | 22% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 1 | 11% | — flat |
| Steering | 1 | 11% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 11% | — flat |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THEIR RESTRAINT SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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. *AK”
“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.*YC.ET.”
“ELECTRICAL SHORT, WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE CONSOLE LIGHTS GO OFF AND VEHICLE STALLS, LIGHTS WILL FLASH. *AK 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. *SLC”
“ELECTRICAL SHORT, WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE CONSOLE LIGHTS GO OFF AND VEHICLE STALLS, LIGHTS WILL FLASH. *AK 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. *SLC”
“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. *AK”
The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1993 Buick Riviera. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Riviera years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998. The cleanest record among Riviera years belongs to 2000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.