1995 Buick Riviera recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. 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. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SHOULDER BELT(S) DO NOT RETRACT. A RETAINER COULD SEPARATE FROM A REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WHICH RESULTS IN THE RETRACTOR RETURN SPRING BECOMING DISENGAGED.
What could happen: IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES IF THERE IS EXCESSIVE SLACK IN THE SHOULDER BELT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH REAR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS FOR CORRECT FUNCTION AND INSTALL A SPRING COVER RETAINING STRAP TO EACH RETRACTOR. IF A RETRACTOR DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
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 1995 RIVIERA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V057000.
- 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: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SHOULDER BELT(S) DO NOT RETRACT. A RETAINER COULD SEPARATE FROM A REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WHICH RESULTS IN THE RETRACTOR RETURN SPRING BECOMING DISENGAGED.
Consequence: IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES IF THERE IS EXCESSIVE SLACK IN THE SHOULDER BELT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH REAR SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS FOR CORRECT FUNCTION AND INSTALL A SPRING COVER RETAINING STRAP TO EACH RETRACTOR. IF A RETRACTOR DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
Notes: GM RECALL NO. 00023. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 15, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1995 Buick Riviera owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (27), Seat belts (22), Transmission / drivetrain (18), Electrical system (17), Brakes (14).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/29/2015 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LATER FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECU…
11/14/2014 · Body / structure · fire
FOUL SMELL THEN PARKED AND WENT INSIDE MALL CAME BACK CAR HAD BEEN ON FIRE. *TR
08/08/2014 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,678. THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCA…
06/12/2014 · Engine
THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING AT DIFFERENT TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN 1999. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STALLS AND I LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL. EXPERIENCING LONG CRANKS BEFORE ENGINE WILL START. HOWEVER, ENGINE EVENTUALLY RESTARTS BUT ENGINE STALLS AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CAR WILL RUN WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. HAVE HAD NUMER…
03/14/2014 · Engine
THE INFO ABOVE IS APPROX. YOUR RECALL OF GM CARS WITH RE: TO IGNITION PROBLEMS MAY NOT BE BROAD ENOUGH. I TRADED IN MY 95 RIVIERA IN APRIL OF 2007 AFTER PLOWING $1500 INTO AND STILL NO SATISFACTORY REPAIR ON WHY IT WAS STALLING. THE LAST STALL WAS IN A THREE WAY INTERSECTION IN CHICAGO. EACH TIME IT STALLED I LOST POWER STEERING. I DON'T RECALL IF T…
10/11/2013 · Fuel system
WHILE DRIVING, BEGAN TO SMELL ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, OPENED HOOD TO WITNESS FUEL SUPPLY LINE TO REAR FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAKING ON TO TOP OF ENGINE. FUEL CONTINUED TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE EVEN AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR. *TR
08/27/2012 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS N…
09/01/2009 · Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FLEX FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109000.