1993 Buick Riviera recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 RIVIERA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V110000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SHOULDER BELTS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; ORCADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (3), Hydraulic (3), Airbags (2), Wheels / tires (1), Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
03/10/2005 · Wheels / tires
THREE OF THE ALUMINUM WHEELS , BOTH FRONT AND ONE RIGHT REAR, ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH AIR PRESSURE LOSS. EVERY THREE DAYS CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE AIR IN ALL THREE TIRES. ALL THE TIRES AND THE STEMS WERE REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
09/21/1999 · Steering · crash
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
08/02/1999 · Brakes
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.
05/20/1998 · Brakes · crash
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY.
05/20/1998 · Airbags · crash
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURIES.
12/04/1996 · Electrical system
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
10/13/1994 · Brakes
BRAKES FAIL TO RESPOND WHEN FIRST APPLIED DURING COLD WEATHER, THEN SUDDENLY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. *AW