BuickRiviera1993Overview/buick/riviera/1993/base/

1993 Buick Riviera

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 Riviera.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1993 Buick Riviera is equipped with a 4.0‑quart oil capacity using 10W‑30 API oil, a four‑speed automatic transmission, and returns EPA ratings of 17 city, 25 highway, and 20 combined mpg. Owner reports show only seven complaints for this model year, with the most frequent issue centered on the service brakes hydraulic system and a single recall issued. Across the 1990‑1999 generation, complaint volumes peaked at 148 in 1995 and fell to a low of six in 1999, placing the 1993 model well below the generation’s worst year. This comparatively low complaint count suggests the 1993 Riviera sits on the more reliable side of the model’s history, indicating fewer recurring problems for owners.

Model year199919981997199619951993199219911989

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory serpentine belt is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731175
Engine air filter24577608
Fuel filter25121468
Spark plug19354417
Front wiper blades22155381
Serpentine belt10230725 discontinued
Thermostat24505924 alt 25535214

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.4 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase107.9 in
Curb weight3419 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Riviera of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–14.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 1996 Supercharged Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995Supercharged Coupe 3.8L Supercharger V67.20 sec15.60 sec225 hpFWD
1996Supercharged Coupe 3.8L Supercharger V67.10 sec15.40 sec225 hpFWD
1989Coupe 3.8L V69.90 sec17.40 sec165 hpFWD
1986T-Type Coupe 3.8L V811.30 sec18.23 sec165 hpFWD
1983Convertible 4.1L V614.80 sec19.70 sec125 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for this generation of Buick Riviera shows a period of relative stability from 1990 to 1993, followed by a sharp increase in complaints peaking in 1995. The 1993 model year represents a low point in this arc, recording only 7 complaints—the fewest of any year prior to 1999. Compared to the preceding years of 1990 to 1992, which saw between 12 and 17 complaints each, 1993 demonstrates a downward trend in reported issues. Data for 1993 specifies one recall and zero investigations, with the most frequent complaint area being Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3 reports). Additionally, there were 3 reported crash complaints and 0 fire complaints for this model year. Given its position as a low-complaint year immediately preceding a significant spike in issues, 1993 is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
9
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
7
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 7 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Wheels1
Steering,Air Bags1
Air Bags1
Electrical System,Interior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V110000Seat Belts:Front:WebbingReported 31/05/1995

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. Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A WEBBING STOP BUTTON IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS REPAIR.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 9 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1300890092013-09-01Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
990730030A2001-04-01Power TrainOWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES…
9907300301999-12-01Power TrainSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A…
100011998-04-01Power TrainINFORMATION ON GROWLING NOISE IN TRANSAXLE DURING FIRST FOUR MINUTES AFTER START UP. *YC
577106A1997-02-01Power TrainCOLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Riviera. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1993 Riviera take?

4.0 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1993 Riviera have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Riviera get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.