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1986 Buick Riviera

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Riviera.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1986 Buick Riviera, equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, occupies one of the quietest positions in the nameplate's reliability record. Its engine holds 4 quarts of oil in 20W-20, 10W-30, or 10W-40 grades, and across the model's documented complaint history spanning 1990–1999, this specific year generated just 3 owner reports — concentrated in the electrical system — alongside 2 recalls. That figure sits well below the 148-complaint peak posted in 1995 and even below the 6-complaint low logged in 1999, giving researchers a useful low-issue anchor when tracing the Riviera's quality trajectory through that decade.

Model year1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1993 1992 1991 1986

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

EPA fuel economy17/27/20 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 Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter	12731175
Engine air filter	24577608
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued
Spark plug	19300749
Front wiper blades	05049938 alt 15184702
Serpentine belt	88986824
Thermostat	03059081 alt 24506986

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	187 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	53.5 in
Wheelbase	107.9 in
Curb weight	3309 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 27 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular 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.

11.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.30 sec — 1986 T-Type 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
1996	Supercharged Coupe 3.8L Supercharger V6	7.10 sec	15.40 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	4.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1050017 OR EQUIVALENT

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 mi	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 (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
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 federal record for the Riviera’s generation shows relatively modest activity in the early 1990s (complaints ranging from 6 to 17, recalls 0‑5) before a sharp spike in 1995‑1996 (148 complaints in 1995, then 55 in 1996) and a gradual decline thereafter. The 1986 model sits before this spike, implying it likely experienced the lower complaint and recall levels characteristic of the early‑period trend. Its top complaint areas—electrical system (2 reports) and steering (1 report)—are minimal, and there were no crash or fire complaints recorded for the year. Overall, the data suggest 1986 is positioned in a comparatively low‑issue segment of the model’s lifecycle, making it a relatively safer year to consider for purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 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 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Electrical System2

Steering1

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…

88V078000Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:PumpReported 10/05/1988

INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND THE TRANSMISSION GOVERNOR/SPEED SENSOR CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE ABRASION OF THE HOSE. Remedy: REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE HOSE.

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 24577608 Fuel filter 25171792 Spark plug 19300749

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 1986 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 1986 Riviera have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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 / 27 highway / 20 combined mpg.