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1985 Buick Riviera

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1985 Riviera.

The 1985 Buick Riviera is specified for 4 quarts of engine oil in 20W-20, 10W-30, or 10W-40 viscosity. This model year recorded two recalls and a total of four owner complaints, with issues primarily concentrated in the fuel system, gasoline, and engine and engine cooling. Compared to the 1990-1999 model history, which experienced a high of 148 complaints in 1995 and a low of 6 in 1999, the 1985 model demonstrates a relatively low volume of reported issues.

Model year1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1993 1992 1991 1985

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-20 / 10W-30 / 10W-40OEM · 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. 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 filter	12731175 alt 12731179
Engine air filter	08994941 alt 06424140
Fuel filter	22522452 alt 5651803
Spark plug	19354427 alt 19366108
Front wiper blades	15184702 alt 05049938
Serpentine belt	22524186 alt 88934339
Thermostat	10207381 alt 10207373

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	206.7 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	54.3 in
Wheelbase	114.2 in
Curb weight	3977 lb

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.

7.2–14.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 1995 Supercharged Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1986	T-Type Coupe 3.8L V8	11.30 sec	18.23 sec	165 hp	FWD
1983	Convertible 4.1L V6	14.80 sec	19.70 sec	125 hp	FWD
1989	Coupe 3.8L V6	9.90 sec	17.40 sec	165 hp	FWD
1979	S-Type Coupe 3.8L V6	10.90 sec	18.30 sec	115 hp	FWD
1995	Supercharged Coupe 3.8L Supercharger V6	7.20 sec	15.60 sec	225 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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.

Lubricants & capacities

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	API · 15W-30 · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	7 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 5,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect)
At 7,500 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect) · PCV System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Choke System (inspect) · Diesel Fuel Injection Pump Timing (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission 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 1985 Buick Riviera falls outside the federal record window provided, which begins in 1990 and spans through 1999, meaning there is no directly comparable model-year data. However, the data reveals a clear trend: complaints were relatively modest through the early 1990s (7-17 annually), then spiked dramatically in 1995 to 148 complaints with 2 NHTSA investigations—likely reflecting a significant defect emergence or regulatory scrutiny period—before declining sharply in subsequent years. For the 1985 model specifically, the data shows 4 fire-related complaints and engine/fuel system issues as the top complaint areas, but zero crash complaints. Since the 1985 Riviera predates the record by five years and represents an earlier generation, it cannot be directly assessed against this trend data. The absence of 1985 in the federal record itself may indicate lower reporting volumes typical of older model years. **Takeaway: The 1985 Riviera cannot be meaningfully evaluated using this dataset due to the year gap and generational mismatch; proceed with caution and prioritize pre-purchase inspection for this older model.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline3

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…

89V102000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 16/06/1989

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF). Remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

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.

Vehicles taking 4 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 08994941 Fuel filter 22522452 Spark plug 19354427

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1985 Riviera take?

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.

Does the 1985 Riviera have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.