1983 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 1983 Buick Riviera problems
The 1983 Buick Riviera has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. One issue is related to the car's anti-theft system, which uses a raised-chip key. This system can cause the car to not start due to a failure in the anti-theft system. The recommended solution is to find a high-quality auto repair shop or dealer near you to get the problem fixed.
Another common problem with the 1983 Buick Riviera is related to the speedometer staying at '0'. This issue can be caused by a faulty battery or corroded clamping terminals. To fix this problem, the battery should be replaced with a brand new one, and the clamping terminals should be cleaned with a wirebrush. The other end of the black cable that connects to the chassis ground should also be wire brushed down to the metal, including the washer and bolt.
The car's air conditioner and heater fan have also been reported to not work. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including a faulty compressor, a blown fuse, or a damaged wiring harness. To fix this problem, it is recommended to take the car to a professional mechanic who can diagnose and repair the issue.
The 1983 Buick Riviera has also been reported to have issues with the engine stopping while making right turns. This issue can be caused by brittle and corroded wires that touch ground or each other when the car turns right. To fix this problem, a thorough investigation of the car's electrical system is required. It is recommended to start by checking the battery cables, distributor cap, and ignition switch for any signs of wear or damage.
Lastly, the car's steering and suspension system can cause ride comfort issues and affect the driver's ability to maintain control of the vehicle. To prevent small problems from turning into big and expensive ones, it is recommended to have the steering and suspension system inspected and serviced regularly by a professional mechanic.
In summary, the 1983 Buick Riviera has several common problems related to the anti-theft system, speedometer, air conditioner, engine, and steering and suspension system. To fix these issues, it is recommended to take the car to a professional mechanic who can diagnose and repair the problem. Regular maintenance and inspections can also help prevent these issues from occurring in the first place.
How many 1983 Buick Rivieras were made?
Sixth generation (1979–1985)
| Coupe | Convertible | |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 48,017 | - |
| 1982 | 42,823 | 1,248 |
| 1983 | 47,153 | 1,750 |
| 1984 | 56,210 | 500 |
Is a 1983 Buick Riviera front wheel drive?
The Riviera is powered by a large 5.0L V8. It's part of the front wheel drive generation of the Riviera's.
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 1984 Buick Riviera?
The standard engine on the Coupe and Convertible is a 4.1 litre V-6. Additional power- plants are also available, a 5.0 litre gas engine and a 5.7 litre diesel engine. All of them utilize automatic transmissions with overdrive as standard equipment. Of course, the Riviera has always been a special car.
How many 1983 Buick Rivieras were made?
Sixth generation (1979–1985)
| Coupe | Convertible | |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 48,017 | - |
| 1982 | 42,823 | 1,248 |
| 1983 | 47,153 | 1,750 |
| 1984 | 56,210 | 500 |
Is a 1983 Buick Riviera front-wheel drive?
The Riviera is powered by a large 5.0L V8. It's part of the front wheel drive generation of the Riviera's.
What is the top speed of a Riviera car?
| Buick Riviera 7.5 Performance | |
|---|---|
| Top Speed : | 125 Mph / 201 km/h |
| Acceleration 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 Km/h) : | 9.10 s |
| Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) : | - s |
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.
1983 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:
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1983 Buick Riviera vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1983 Buick Riviera complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1983 Buick Riviera.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1989-06-01
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G4AZ57NXDE
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH
1983 Buick Riviera recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1983 Buick Riviera.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
- Summary: DURING WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION, THE NOISE SUPPRESION CAPACITOR IN THE WIPER MOTOR RELAY MAY OVERHEAT.
- Remedy: THE DEALER WILL MODIFY THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR DELAY RELAY BY REMOVING THE NOISE SUPPRESION CAPACITOR. THIS WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1983 Buick Riviera problems:
Buick Riviera Problems and Complaints - 31 Issues
Problem with your Buick Riviera? Our list of 31 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your Buick Riviera.
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