1998 Buick RIVIERA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
161,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 26 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 23.1% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 19.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Engine: 4; Electrical System:Horn: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Steering: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 5
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 18 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
2000: 3; 2001: 7; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10042252 · 2003-10-03 (October 3, 2003)
WHEN MAKING TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY OTHER DETAILS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053895 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
RACK AND PINION FAILURE AS WELL AS THE STEERING LOCKING UP WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL OF OTHER GM MODELS, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10053895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086893 · 2004-08-15 (August 15, 2004)
STEERING WHEEL TILT IS HARD TO UNLOCK. STEERING WHEEL HAS MOVEMENT WHEN LOCKED IN PLACE. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT BROKE AND YOU COULD NOT KEEP WHEEL IN THE SET POSITION. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OR TURNING CORNERS. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LOCK PIN WAS BROKEN INSIDE COLUMN. THIS WAS REPAIRED BACK IN SEP. 2003. HAS STARTED TO DO IT FOR A SECOND TIME. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203682 · 2007-09-21 (September 21, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET. HE DROVE ON THE SHOULDER AND HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL FOR IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC SHIELD SEPARATED THAT COVERS THE MOTOR. HE WAS ABLE TO TAPE THE SHIELD BACK AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUPERCHARGER WASTE GATE VALVE SEPARATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,617 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8005787 · 2002-03-18 (March 18, 2002)
VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT PROPERLY DUE TO GEARS GRINDING IN TRANSMISSION. ENGINE WAS SUPER CHARGED, BUT NOT TRANSMISSION. AT TRANSMISSION CENTER, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BEARINGS WERE FAILING AND CAUSED THE GRINDING. *AK *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8005787 at NHTSA ↗