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Buick Riviera — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Buick Riviera model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
35
Years to Avoid
2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
Best Years
1994, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1976, 1974, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966
2000Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.205 TSBs
1999Avoid
12 complaints0 recalls2 invest.48 TSBs
1998Avoid
43 complaints0 recalls1 invest.48 TSBs
1997Avoid
48 complaints0 recalls1 invest.56 TSBs
1996Avoid
69 complaints2 recalls2 invest.44 TSBs
1995Avoid
177 complaints1 recalls2 invest.56 TSBs
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993
9 complaints1 recalls9 TSBs
1992
17 complaints2 recalls8 TSBs
1991
16 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1990
16 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
1989
10 complaints3 recalls
1988
1 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1987
8 complaints2 recalls3 invest.
1986
2 complaints2 recalls3 invest.
1985
7 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
1984
0 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
1983
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1982
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1981Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979
0 complaints2 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1977
0 complaints2 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1975
0 complaints3 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1973
1 complaints1 recalls
1972
0 complaints3 recalls
1971
0 complaints2 recalls
1970
0 complaints2 recalls
1969Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1967Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1966Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Buick Riviera Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 Buick Riviera are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Buick Riviera, consider the 1994, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1976, 1974, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

35 model years analyzed