1997 Buick RIVIERA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10039206 · 2003-09-20 (September 20, 2003)
AS I TURNED THE SWITCH ON, THE CAR BACK FIRED AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THE CAR AND IT WAS SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT. MY HUSBAND WHO HAD HEARD THE BACK FIRE FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND THE FIRE WAS ALREADY BLAZING. WE TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT ENDED UP CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CARE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039206 at NHTSA ↗
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 10042940 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)
1997 BUICK RIVIERA WITH 3800 ENGINE HAS A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT DEGRADES AND LEAKS COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSES HYDROLOCK, THEREBY RENDERING THE VEHICLE USELESS. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME AND LEAVE YOU STRANDED AND IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE TYPE. GM ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM IN JULY OF 2001 (TSB 01-06-01-007A) AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE TALKED TO HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOLK…
Owner-reported narrative. 93,773 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042940 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 10068989 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
PAINT IS PEELING IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT AREAS RANGING FROM THE FRONT HOOD TO THE BACK SIDES.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092730 · 2004-11-30 (November 30, 2004)
THE SENDING UNIT FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME AT 44,000 MILES, SECOND TIME AT 67,000 MILES, AND THIRD TIME AT 80,000 MILES. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE SENDING UNIT HAD BARE AND MELTED COMPONENTS. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093047 · 2004-09-22 (September 22, 2004)
JACK FOR MY 1997 BUICK RIVIERA COLLAPSED WHEN I TRIED TO CHANGE TIRE. FORTUNATELY, I HAD NOT REMOVED THE FLAT TIRE YET AND WAS NOT INJURED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER USED THE JACK SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE JACK. I ALSO OWN A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA AND ITS JACK IS MUCH STURDIER AND HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM. I SHOWED THE BROKEN JACK TO MY AUTO MECHANIC. HE SAID THE JACK WAS UNSAFE AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE CAR. HE SAID THE JACK WAS TOO SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT FOR THE BUICK RIVIERA. I COUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10102781 · 2004-12-12 (December 12, 2004)
WE HAVE A '97 RIVIERA WITH PAINT PROBLEMS...IF THE PAINT BECOMES CHIPPED OR SCRATCHED, TEMPERATURE CHANGES CAUSE THE PAINT TO SHRINK AND EXPAND (MORESO WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS COLDER) AND UNLESS I BREAK THE SHEETS OF PEELING PAINT OFF, IT KEEPS SPREADING. THIS EXPOSES THE GRAY METAL SEALER. I'D BE GLAD TO SEND YOU A SAMPLE OF THE PAINT (CHAMPAINGE PEARL) WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10102781 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.