Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Riviera.
The 1983 Buick Riviera is a mid‑sized, front‑wheel‑drive sedan built on the Buick B platform, powered by a V6 that requires four quarts of 20W‑20, 10W‑30, or 10W‑40 oil; its drivetrain is the model’s most frequently cited complaint, as reflected in the overall owner‑complaint data for the decade. Despite a single recall and an average of only one owner complaint per year, the Riviera’s reliability record during the 1990‑1999 period peaked in 1995 with 148 complaints before dropping sharply to just six in 1999, indicating that while early models may have had occasional power‑train issues, the brand’s later years saw a significant improvement in durability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 206.7 in |
| Overall width | 74.8 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3697 lb |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Convertible 4.1L V6 | 14.80 sec | 19.70 sec | 125 hp | FWD |
| 1986 | T-Type Coupe 3.8L V8 | 11.30 sec | 18.23 sec | 165 hp | FWD |
| 1979 | S-Type Coupe 3.8L V6 | 10.90 sec | 18.30 sec | 115 hp | FWD |
| 1989 | Coupe 3.8L V6 | 9.90 sec | 17.40 sec | 165 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt of 20W-20 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | ABOVE 40 degrees F |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | ABOVE 40 degrees F |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | ABOVE 40 degrees F |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The provided federal record spans 1990 through 1999, capturing a lifecycle trend that begins with modest complaint volumes, spikes dramatically to 148 complaints in 1995, then gradually declines—an arc that postdates the 1983 target year by seven years. For 1983 specifically, the dataset records minimal federal activity: one power train complaint and one crash-related complaint, with zero fire complaints, and contains no entries for recalls, investigations, or technical service bulletins for this model year. This places the 1983 vintage entirely outside the documented degradation curve, suggesting it predates the age-related reliability issues that emerge in the mid-1990s data. Given the absence of 1983 from the year-by-year complaint surge and the isolated nature of its documented safety feedback, the federal record implies no systemic manufacturing defects for this specific year. Consequently, 1983 represents a statistically quiet model year in the federal dataset, making it a relatively sound acquisition target contingent on standard age-related wear inspection.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F: 30, ABOVE 20 degrees F: 20W-20, 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-40 OR 20W-50, ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40, BELOW 20 degrees F: 5W-20 OR 5W-30, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.