1997 Buick RIVIERA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
94,387 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 36 complaints (8.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 22.2% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 |
Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
2000: 4; 2001: 4; 2002: 6; 2003: 3; 2004: 5; 2005: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2011: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10040759 · 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)
CONSUMER NOTICED STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE TRAVELING OVER PUDDLES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054192 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105736 · 2005-01-04 (January 4, 2005)
1997 BUICK RIVERA ... DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY-HOLE WORN INTO HIGH PRESSURE FREON DISCHARGE HOSE-FREON SPRAYED THROUGHOUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO DRIVE BELTS-BELT BROKE AND WRAPPED AROUND HARMONIC BALANCER - BROKE TEETH AND CRANK SENSOR- ENGINE DIED IMMEDIATELY-LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKING, ETC., DEAD CAR HARD TO CONTROL - TOWED TO GM DEALER - DEALER REPLACED ALL PARTS ($900.00) - GM MECHANICS AND SERVICE MANAGER ALL AGREED TO BUICK DESIGN FLAW - STEEL MANIFOLD FOR FREON HOSES IS FORMED IN SUCH A WAY TO CAUSE FREON HOSES TO RUB AGAINST EACH …
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441133 · 2011-12-23 (December 23, 2011)
I HAVE A 1997 BUICK RIVIERA THAT HAS A SECURITY LIGHT PROBLEM. I TRY TO CRANK THE CAR AND SOMETIMES IT WILL CRANK OTHER TIMES IT WONT. I AM A YOUNG MALE THAT NORMALLY TRAVELS BACK AND FORTH TO WORK BUT SOME MORNING'S ALL I CAN DO IS PRAY. IT NEVER REALLY BOTHERED ME BEFORE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE THE PATIENCE OF A SLUG. BUT TODAY I WAS PULLED OVER BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT IN MY WINDOW WAS OUT LONG STORY SHORT. I ASKED THE OFFICER IF I COULD LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY PROBLEM WHILE HE CHECKED MY PAPER WORK INSURANCE REGIST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10441133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 740437 · 2001-02-05 (February 5, 2001)
ELECTRICAL SEAT CONTROL BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE AND LEFT SMOKE IN VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 858660 · 2000-03-16 (March 16, 2000)
VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO, WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE THE RPMS WOULD MOVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT. DEALER SAID VEHICLE NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION.. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 858660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280631 · 2009-08-17 (August 17, 2009)
ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 11, 2009 MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FORM THE GROCERY STORE ONE NIGHT, AS HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN HE SMELLED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR, HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE WERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR HE SEEN A CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, HE LIFTED UP THE HOOD IN SAW FLAMES COMING FROM PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE CAR UNDER THE HOOD, HE WENT INTO THE FACILITIES TO WERE HE PULLED OVER AND GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT THE FIRE WAS TO BIG…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10280631 at NHTSA ↗