1982 Buick Riviera problems
The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year.
As General Motors' first entry into the personal luxury car market segment, the Riviera was highly praised by automotive journalists upon its high-profile debut. It was a ground-up design on a new GM E platform debuting for the 1963 model year and was also Buick's first unique Riviera model.
Unlike its subsequent GM E platform stablemates, the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado, the Riviera was initially a front engine/rear-wheel drive platform, switching to front-wheel drive starting with the 1979 model year.
While the early models stayed close to their original form, eight subsequent generations varied substantially in size and styling. A total of 1,127,261 Rivieras were produced.
The Riviera name was resurrected for two concept cars that were displayed at auto shows in 2007 and in 2013.
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Common 1982 Buick Riviera problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1982 Buick Riviera, several common problems have been identified:
- Engine Performance and Maintenance: Owners have expressed concerns about engine performance and maintenance issues, particularly with the 307-equipped cars. Problems such as poor mileage, lack of response, and engine idling issues have been reported. Maintaining these engines to perform optimally requires expertise and specific knowledge of the CCC Quadrajet equipped engines.
- Quality Control and Defective Parts: The 1982 Buick Riviera faced challenges with quality control and defective parts, leading to significant issues for owners. Defective connecting rods in the engine were reported to fail catastrophically, causing damage to the engine block and resulting in oil leaks onto hot exhaust pipes, leading to potential fire hazards. Additionally, poor quality control, such as engine fans being wired incorrectly, contributed to safety and reliability concerns.
- Turbocharged Engine Maintenance: The turbocharged 3.8 Buick engine in the T-Type models posed maintenance challenges for owners. Concerns about the longevity and upkeep of turbocharged engines, especially in used vehicles, were highlighted as potential issues. Maintenance requirements for turbocharged engines can be more demanding, and the longevity of these components can impact the overall reliability of the vehicle.
- Bumper Fillers and Cosmetic Concerns: Another common problem reported by owners of the Buick Riviera was related to bumper fillers. Issues with ruined bumper fillers were noted, which although not critical to the vehicle's performance, can be a cosmetic concern for owners. Addressing cosmetic issues like bumper fillers can add to the overall maintenance costs and upkeep of the vehicle.
These problems highlight a range of issues faced by owners of the 1982 Buick Riviera, encompassing both mechanical and cosmetic concerns. Addressing these issues requires a combination of expert maintenance, quality parts replacement, and attention to detail to ensure the longevity and reliability of these classic vehicles.
What engine is in a 1982 Buick Riviera?
Mechanically, these cars had the 4.1-liter V-6 (or optional 5.0-liter V-8), four-wheel disc brakes, and the Gran Touring suspension. Initially, this generation of Riviera wasn't all that well-received by the critics, but later T-Type models perform reasonably well for 1980s luxury coupes.
What year did they stop making Buick Riviera?
The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year.
How many 1982 Buick Riviera convertibles were made?
1,248 cars
Production was limited to 1,248 cars for late-intro 1982, and many were snapped up quickly after cars belatedly began arriving in June – so GM upped the quantity to 1,750 for 1983.
How fast can a Buick Riviera go?
Performance
| 30 - 70 mph | 8.7 s |
|---|---|
| 0 - 90 mph | 18.8 s |
| 0 - 100 mph | 24.5 s |
| 1/4 mile | 16.5 s @ 79.5 mph |
| Top speed | 190 kph (118 mph) |
What engine is in a 1982 Buick Riviera?
Mechanically, these cars had the 4.1-liter V-6 (or optional 5.0-liter V-8), four-wheel disc brakes, and the Gran Touring suspension. Initially, this generation of Riviera wasn't all that well-received by the critics, but later T-Type models perform reasonably well for 1980s luxury coupes.
How fast is a Buick Riviera?
Performance
| 30 - 70 mph | 8.7 s |
|---|---|
| 0 - 90 mph | 18.8 s |
| 0 - 100 mph | 24.5 s |
| 1/4 mile | 16.5 s @ 79.5 mph |
| Top speed | 190 kph (118 mph) |
What was the last year Buick Riviera was made?
The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year.
Was the Buick Riviera front wheel drive?
Unlike its subsequent GM E platform stablemates, the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado, the Riviera was initially a standard front engine/rear-wheel drive platform, only becoming front wheel drive starting in 1979 as part of a sweeping move in that direction by the American automobile industry.
1982 Buick Riviera car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Riviera problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1982 Buick Riviera vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1982 Buick Riviera complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1982 Buick Riviera.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G4AZ57Y0CE
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: THE CONSUMER HAD AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK DONE ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC STILL WASN'T ABLE TO DEFINE THE PROBLEM. *LA THE CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE TORSION BAR WOULD NOT WORK AS IT WAS INTENDED TO BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE FRONT END COMPONENTS. CONSUMER FEELS THAT GM NEEDS TO CHECK THE CARS FOR INSULATION. THE VEHICLE IS NOW REPAIRED. *CB *JB
1982 Buick Riviera recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1982 Buick Riviera.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
- Summary: UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE GOVERNOR WEIGHT RETAINER IN THE INJECTION PUMP MAY FAIL. THE THROTTLE VALVE COULD STICK, PREVENTING RETURN TO IDLE AND SHUT DOWN OF THE ENGINE BY THE DRIVER.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE GOVERNOR WEIGHT ASSEMBLY IN THE INJECTION PUMP AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1982 Buick Riviera problems:
1982 Buick Riviera Reviews - Carsurvey.org
May 31, 2008 ... Transmission blew at 125k. Carb rebuilt at 120k. Radiator blew at 119k. Timing gears split at 121k. Water pump cracked at 130k. Fuel pump failed ...
FS 1982 Buick Riviera Diesel - Automobiles and Parts - Buy/Sell ...
Aug 27, 2015 ... One owner. Interior/exterior in great condidtion. Needs new headliner. No known mechanical problems. 95500 miles.
Buick Riviera Problems and Complaints - 31 Issues
Car Won't Start Because of Anti-Theft System That Uses Raised-Chip Key · The Trunk Lid Won't Close Due to Trunk Pull Down Switch Failure · Stalling Due to Mass ...
1982 Buick Riviera Diesel. Anyone know if these are rare or not ...
Feb 9, 2022 ... Good to know about the Oldsmobile Diesel engine issues. I think there was a YouTube video about that that I watched a long time ago and I cannot ...
Thinking or buying Riviera convert like your feedback.. - Buick ...
Sep 4, 2017 ... For those who have owned them n know, is there a best /most sought after year? 1982-85? What do I need to watch out for that they are prone ...
Other years of Buick Riviera
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