1997 Buick Riviera: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
43
owner complaints
5
fire reports
94,387
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 94,387 mi)One of the most complained-about Riviera years (#2 of 6, age-adjusted)Weak spot: steering (24%)5 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)24% · 10 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)14% · 6 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)14% · 6 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)10% · 4 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)7% · 3 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)7% · 3 complaints
“This morning I tried to start the car to get my kids to school, I turn the key but the engine didn't start, immediately a big loud explosion (the car never started), then smoke came out from under the hood, I got out to open the hood and fire was coming out of the engine right next dashboard near the driver side.....the fire department had to come to get the fire out. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick riviera. The contact noticed small flames erupting from underneath the vehicle. Smoke immediately appeared from the front end of the vehicle, followed by flames under the hood. The failure occurred without warning. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was filed. There were no personal injuries or property damage. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The insurance company and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The mileages were unknown.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2008
“Gm has recalled 1997-2002 pontiac grand prix and buick regals wit the 3.8 liter supercharged v-6 engines for oil leaking and burning on the exhaust manifold causing some 267 known fires. I have a 1997 buick riviera 3.8 liter supercharged engine which has begun doing the same thing recently. I have not seen the riviera included in any web search but I am sure gm is trying to get by without repairing as many 3.8 supercharged as possible. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“1997 buick rivera. Consumer was driving onto the turnpike upon stopping at the toll plaza he noticed smoke and smelled plastic burning. Consumer pulled over and the vehicle burst into flames. *mc ohio traffic crash report. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2007
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick riviera. The contact stated the vehicle was parked when he noticed there was a puddle of oil on the engine due to an oil leak from the valve covers. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling) but did not confirm if the vehicle was included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2006
“Vehicle - 1997 buick riveria 3.8 l supercharged engine -- oil leak from front valve cover gasket -- recall just released for 1997-2003 buick regal and grand prix but left the riveria out of the recall list for the exact same engine --- I replaced the gasket myself (very expensive gasket) - 11/05 -- and feel that gm should at least reimburse me for the gasket ---. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2005
“Dt: the contact owns a 1997 buick riviera. The paint is beginning to peel off from the hood of the car. She contacted gm , and they checked for open recalls, and they wanted her to file a complaint. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2005
“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 could have been seriously injured if I had been under the car or attempting to replace the flat tire when the jack collapsed.*ak”Owner report · Equipment · Sep 2004
“Dt: consumer states that when security light is on the vehicle will not start. Consumer has to wait 2-3 minutes, sometimes longer, and the vehicle will start.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Jun 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 report · Structure · Nov 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 1997 Buick Riviera reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Buick Riviera. The most complained-about area is steering (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Riviera problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 94,387 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.