1989 Buick RIVIERA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
147,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 50.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Structure: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 722279 · 2000-05-04 (May 4, 2000)
AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP, FITTINGS, LINES... COSTING $467.00 ON 11/23/99 -- THE MECHANIC AND MANAGER INFORMED US OF THE IMMINENT DANGERS OF THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE OF "RUSTED-THROUGH CRADLE ARM AND BREAKING, RUSTY BOLTS PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE CRADLE" THAT WILL REQUIRE THAT THE ENGINE BE EXTRACTED AND THE "CRADLE" BE REPLACED (OR IF POSSIBLE? "WELDED" ?). WE JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, WHO DID LOTS OF "MAINTANENCE" AND "REPAIRS" AND LOTS OF MONEY $$…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 753555 · 2001-10-23 (October 23, 2001)
PLEASE REFERENCE NHTSA RECALL NO. 97V058/GM RECALL OF BUICK REGALS SOLD IN ILLINOIS 1998 - 1991. MY TIRE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT THE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON MY 1989 BUICK RIVIERA WERE TOTALLY CORRODED AND THAT THEY COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY MY GENRAL MOTORS DEALER WHO STATED THAT I COULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS POINTED OUT TO ME THAT BUICK HAD RECALLED OTHER MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE RIVIERAS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 753555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208428 · 2007-11-08 (November 8, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 BUICK RIVIERA. ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007, THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHEN HE CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID, IT WAS LEVELED; HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE, THE FLUID FILLED UP AS IF THERE WAS A BACK UP SOMEWHERE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE SOME OF THE BRAKE FLUID. THE DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF…
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722281 · 2000-05-04 (May 4, 2000)
RECALL ? VERY UNSAFE !! BOTH FRONT "HYDRAULIC" (RUSTY, AND NOT WORKING)SEAT MECHANISMS (THAT LOOK LIKE 2 BLACK SHAPED "PISTONS") THAT ENGAGE WITH EACH END OF THE BOTTOM REAR PART OF THE TWO FRONT SEATS TO "WORK" SEATING POSITIONS BACK AND FORTH DOES NOT "ENGAGE" THE SEATS -- SO THAT THE BACK PART OF THE SEATS WHERE YOUR BACK RESTS UP AGAINST DOES ACTUALLY "LUNGE" FORWARD AT "STOPS" SO EVEN THOUGH YOU OR YOUR PASSENGER WEARS A "SAFETY BELT" -- NEITHER ONE OF YOU ARE TRULY "RESTRAINED" …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722281 at NHTSA ↗