1990 Buick Riviera: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Buick Riviera: 4 recalls, 16 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #90V028000 · 1990 · 10,166 vehicles
What's wrong: Misaligned rear seat safety belt shoulder retractor assemblies could cause pendulum interference, causing the belt to remain in locked position or to travel freely without locking.
Why it matters: In the event of a panic stop or accident, if the belt retractor inertia lock does not engage, the rear seat occupant would have an increased likelihood of injury.
The fix: Realign rear shoulder belt retractor assembly.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #90V164000 · 1990 · 63,964 vehicles
What's wrong: Transaxle shift control cable May disengage from the from the floor shift control with loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.
Why it matters: Driver would not be able to determine actual gearposition the transaxle is in, which could result in unexpected vehicle movementand an accident without prior warning.
The fix: Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip to prevent cable disengagement.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #91V158000 · 1991 · 18,904 vehicles
What's wrong: Brake indicator light May not light when ignition is in the "on" position, the parking brake is applied, and the shift selector is in the park or neutral gear range.
Why it matters: Vehicles would not meet the requirements of fmvss 101and 105.
The fix: Replace the prom in the body computer module to prevent this condition from occurring.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #95V110000 · 1995 · 113,343 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043004 · 1990 · 39 vehicles
What's wrong: Threaded inflator components May have been damaged during assembly which May allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gasesto escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Exterior lights (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Buick Riviera has 16 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 9 Riviera model years for complaints (well below the 33 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 100,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (8 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Buick Riviera.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Buick Riviera have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Buick Riviera, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Buick Riviera problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (4), airbags (3), exterior lights (3).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Buick Riviera get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Buick Riviera repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.