1998 Buick RIVIERA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10052035 · 2003-12-29 (December 29, 2003)
INTERMITTENTLY HORN BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S SAFETY. DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052035 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 10160818 · 2006-06-26 (June 26, 2006)
DRIVERS SEAT BELT STITCHING COMING APART AND WILL NOT HOLD IN A ACCIDENT. THREAD USED EITHER ROTTED OR DEFECTIVE. ARMSTRONG SERVICE DEPT SENT ME TO A AUTO UPHOLSTERY SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, THEY REFUSED TO DO IT STATING THAT IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW FOR THEM TO WORK ON IT AND TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY COULD ORDER A NEW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF AS THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY WAS NOT IN EFFECT. I STATED THAT I BOUGHT A HIGH QUALITY VEHICLE FROM THEM AND THIS IS MY 4TH BUICK, AS I HAVE A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10160818 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 10205663 · 2007-10-15 (October 15, 2007)
STEERING WHEEL HAS DEVELOPED A VERY SIGNIFICANT "WOBBLE" WHICH EXISTS REGARDLESS OF WHAT TILT POSITION IT IS IN. THE WOBBLE IS DIAGONAL, FROM NORTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST IN DIRECTION, AND THE APPARENT PIVOT POINT OF THE WOBBLE IS JUST BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL LEVEL. HAD CAR AT DEALER FOR OTHER WORK, AND THEY COMMENTED ON IT TOO. DID NOT CALL IT A SAFETY ISSUE THOUGH... WANTED $120 TO FIX IT. I DECLINED AT THE TIME, SINCE THEY DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD TEND TO DIFFER WITH THEIR OPINION THOUGH, AND FEEL THEY SHOULD REPAIR T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10205663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215716 · 2008-01-22 (January 22, 2008)
I STARTED MY CAR, 98 BUICK RIVIERA, AND TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON. I CAME BACK 5 MINUTES LATER AND STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK. ABOUT 4 MINUTES AFTER I LEFT MY HOUSE I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING BUT I WAS VERY NEAR MY WORK SO I JUST KEPT GOING. AT WORK WHEN I STEPPED OUT OF MY CAR I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE ON MY SEAT AND THAT MY LEATHER COAT WAS BURNING. I PUT OUT THE FIRE AND DISCONTINUED THE USE OF MY SEAT HEATER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215716 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.