1998 BUICK Riviera Problems

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Premium Report

Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

STEERING

6 complaints

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 THIS AT NO CHARGE DUE TO IT BEING THE STEERING MECHANISM INVOLVED. I'VE HEARD THIS COMPLAINT FROM MANY OTHER 95-99 RIVIERA OWNERS, AND IT SEEMS TO BE EPIDEMIC AMONG THESE CARS. *TR

Oct 15, 2007

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

Aug 15, 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

Jan 13, 2004

WHEN MAKING TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY OTHER DETAILS. *NLM

Oct 03, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING FLUID, MAKING IT HARD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Sep 11, 2002

+ 1 more complaint for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 complaints

DISC BRAKE SPLASH (H0170)RIGHT REAR HAD TO BE REPLACED.

Sep 05, 2001

ROTORS ON DISC BRAKES ARE RUSTING AND WARPING CAUSING IMPROPER BRAKE ACTION AND CAUSED ONE NEAR ACCIDENT INCIDENT WHERE MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE BUMPING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE FIRST 15,000 MILES. BUICK HAS STATED THE PROBLEM IS "COSMETIC" AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE ALLEGE THAT WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR ENOUGH AND WE LIVE TO NEAR TO THE OCEAN. BUICK'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONTACTED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LATEST INCLUDED A 3 WAY CONVERSATION WITH THE DEALER AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT STAFFF. THEY STATED THAT THE DEALER HAS ANOTHER WOMAN WHO IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TECHNICAL STAFF STATED THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION. THEY EXPECT THE ROTORS TO FAIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS. THEY HAVE DIRECTED ME TO THE FLORIDA "LEMON LAW' FOR RESOLUTION. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE WHEN EXPOSED TO SALT AIR. JUST AS IN THE FIRESTONE CASE, THE DATA MUST BE ISOLATED TO REFLECT THE NUMBER OF FAILURES OF ROTOR ASSEMBLIES LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SALT WATER. BRAKE ROTORS SHOULD NOT FAIL EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS IN NORMAL USAGE. THEY HAVE ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND INTEND TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR.*AK

Sep 12, 2000

WHEN CONSUMER IS TRAVELING ABOUT SEVENTY MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATES, AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO THE OTHER LANE. VEHICLE HAD ROTORS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, BUT STILL NEEDS A SET OF ROTORS. *AK *ML

Jul 05, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

May 27, 1999

TIRES

4 complaints

CONSUMER PURCHASED TWO NEW TIRES DUE TO FLATS AND THE LOST OF AIR IN A TIRE THAT COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIRE WENT FLAT FOUR TIMES DUE TO WEAR AROUND THE WHEEL COVERING (TIRE INFO NOT GIVEN).

Sep 05, 2001

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH AND ALL FOUR TIRES' TREAD SEPARATED, AND VEHICLE VEERED INTO MEDIAN STRIP.*AK

Apr 10, 2001

Crash: 1

PE00 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MHP ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE THREW HIM SIDEWAYS AND HE HITS SOME BUSHES VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED.*AK

Sep 22, 2000

Crash: 1

ENGINE

3 complaints

IT STARTED OUT AS A SMALL OIL LEAK, BUT I RECENTLY NOTICED THE LEAK HAS EXPANDED SIGNIFICANTLY. IT'S DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE LEAK, BUT AN OIL PAN UNDER THE CAR SHOWS SIGNIFICANT PUDDLING OF OIL. A SEALER/CONDITIONER DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. WHILE ONLINE, I NOTED THAT THE 3800CC 3.8L ENGINE SEEMS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND OTHER MODELS OF GM CARS APPEAR TO BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. NOT SO THE BUICK, WHICH TO ME, HAS THE SAME ENGINE. GIVEN THAT IS IS KNOWN NOW, I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS LOW PRODUCTION VEHICLE WAS LEFT OUT OF THE RECALL AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED. PUDDLE OF OIL PHOTO ENCLOSED. THIS CONDITION IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY.

Sep 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ *JS

Feb 05, 2016

Fire: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL DRIPPING NEAR THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

Oct 27, 2015

SEATS

3 complaints

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

Jan 22, 2008

Fire: 1

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT REPLACED DUE TO STICHING AND COLORING.

Sep 05, 2001

VEHICLE WAS REARENDED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL. DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS DUE TO BACK BREAKING. BOTTOM OF TRACKS WAS TWISTED. *AK

Feb 15, 2001

Crash: 1

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

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 ADVISED HIM TO GET AN EVALUATION FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER DECIDED TO REDUCE THE LABOR COST TO $223.43. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,728 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,617. UPDATED 12/12/07

Sep 21, 2007

WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. DEALER UNABLE TO SOLVE PROBLEM.*AK

Jul 30, 2002

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

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

Mar 18, 2002

WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED IN GEAR EXTREME VIBRATIONS OCCURS. DEALER CAN NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Jan 22, 2001

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, WHEN FUELING MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL, INLINE WITH THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. I HAD NOTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUBSEQUENTLY CAME ON AND CODE 0440 (OR A VARIANT OF THAT, I CANNOT RECALL WITH 100% CERTAINTY. WHEN I HAD SOME FREE TIME, I STARTED INVESTIGATING THE EMISSIONS CODE AND DECIDED TO CHECK THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WORKING FORWARD. WHILE LOOKING AT THE FUEL FILLER NECK, I NOTED A GLINT OF FRESH STEEL BEHIND THE TIRE. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE, I NOTED A HOLE IN THE FILLER NECK THE SIZE OF A US QUARTER. SINCE IT'S A FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT, I INVESTIGATED WHETHER I COULD GET A REPLACEMENT PART (TO NO AVAIL). MY FIELD EXPEDIENT FIX WAS TO WRAP THE FUEL FILLER INTAKE STEEL PIPE WITH A COPIOUS AMOUNT OF DUCT TAPE AS A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL I COULD SEE IF A JUNKYARD WOULD YIELD A NEW PIPE. NO SUCH LUCK IN FIND A PART THAT DIDN'T HAVE A HOLE OF SORTS (SEE ENCLOSED PHOTO'S OF 'REPLACEMENT' OFFERINGS. MY INVESTIGATION LED ME TO CONCLUDE THE WEAR IN THE PIPE WAS CAUSED BY WHEEL HOP, PRIMARILY WHEN ROLLING OVER SPEED BUMPS AT A SPEED HIGHER THAN RECOMMENDED, CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO "HOP UPWARDS" AND COME IN CONTACT WITH THE PIPE. GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF SPEED BUMPS IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS HAPPENING IS CONSISTENT THE LOCATION OF THE DAMAGE AND THE INNER EDGE OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I'VE ENCLOSED PICTURES OF A 'REPLACEMENT' PIPE THAT WILL HAVE TO BE EPOXIED TO CONTAIN VAPORS AND PREVENT FUEL SPILLAGE UNLESS A PRISTINE PIPE IS FOUND. GIVEN THE EMISSIONS ISSUE ALONG WITH FUEL SPILLAGE WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE'S A HIGH LIKELYHOOD OF FURTHER DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. I'D RECOMMEND A METAL SHIELD BE RETROFITTED TO PREVENT CONTACT FROM THE LEFT TIRE AND THE FUEL FILLER NECK

Sep 21, 2016

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,513. UPDATED 04/29/16*LJ *TR

Mar 16, 2016

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

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 ALWAYS OWNED A BUICK PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THEIR REPUTATION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 55,594 MILES AND THE SEAT BELTS SHOULD NOT FALL APART AS I PURCHASED A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT. THE SERVICE PERSON MENTIONED TO ME TO CONTACT BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GET A CASE NUMBER 1-416031739. THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT I SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED A EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THEY WOULD PARTIALLY HELP PAY FOR THE NEW SEAT BELT BUT DID NOT MENTION ANY AMOUNT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNFAIR AS I PAID FOR QUALITY AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE A ISSUE. BUICK SHOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND I SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED FOR IT. *NM

Jun 26, 2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

INTERMITTENTLY HORN BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S SAFETY. DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

Dec 29, 2003

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

UPON STOPPING VEHICLE HAS TO PRESS BRAKES DOWN HARD TO HOLD VEHICLE IN PLACE. VEHICLE JUMPS IF BRAKES ARE NOT HELD DOWN FIRMLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Dec 17, 2001

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WIND NOISE ON RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT WINDOWS.

Sep 05, 2001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

ENGINE MOUNT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED (THE J1490 BRACKET).

Sep 05, 2001

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

THE ANTENNA MOTOR AND RADIO HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED.

Sep 05, 2001

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

FRONT STRUT BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED.

Sep 05, 2001

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

WHEN TRYING TO BLOW HORN IT BLOWS INTERMITTENTLY. HORN HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK DEALER FOUND LOOSE HORN CONNECTIONS. WHINING NOISE PRESENT WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. *SLC

Aug 27, 2001

PARKING BRAKE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

CONSUMER STATES HORN IS INOPERABLE AT TIMES, ON ONE OCCASION HE HAD TO HIT THE HORN PAD SIX TIMES BEFORE THE HORN WOULD SOUND, DEALER HAS REPAIRED/REPLACED PARTS ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT FAILED. EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED ADJUSTED, THE PEDAL WAS NOT RETURNING ALL THE WAY UP WHEN IT WAS RELEASED. *SLC

Jul 12, 2001

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES THE VEHICLE DOESN'T STOP. *AK

Oct 27, 1999

4.5/5.0

32 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1998 BUICK Riviera have?

The 1998 BUICK Riviera currently has 36 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1998 BUICK Riviera?

The most common problems reported for the 1998 BUICK Riviera are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1998 BUICK Riviera problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1998 BUICK Riviera comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.