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Buick RivieraModel year report

1997 Buick Riviera Problems

Complaints
43filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
94,386miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Buick Riviera (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1997 Buick Riviera. The part named most often is steering, with 10 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and engine cooling (6). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 94,386 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 21 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “Steering column/wheel started a little wiggle room, (wouldn't lock into place after adjusting position). Within about a month or so it was not drivable. It would not stay in a fixed position at all. In september 2006 we took it in to be repaired. They had to find and rebuild another steering column. It cost us almost $1000 dollars, plus the cost of a rental for about ten (10) days. The biggest reason I'm writing this now is because, it has broken again. (it is the same exact thing as before). I am wanting to know if this has happened to anybody else or is it an isolated thing ?. …”

NHTSA complaint #10278474, filed 2009-07, 165,000 miles

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10252095, filed 2008-12, 106,000 miles

Engine cooling: “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 ---.”

NHTSA complaint #10221447, filed 2008-03, 150,000 miles

Brakes: “Brake problems; when traveling at high, the rotors were replaced because of warping. On 7/21/97 owner brought car back to dealer for same problem. At that time an adjustment was made to the rotors. Dealer stated that rotors were warped again with 9, 504 miles. On 11/24/97 brought back to dealer for same problem with 14,863 miles, service was done on brakes again.”

NHTSA complaint #819489, filed 1997-12

Mileage when problems were reported

10% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 150,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2510%25–5010%50–7540%75–10010%100–15030%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 94,386 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’97’99’016’03’05’08’11
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Buick Riviera version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Riviera FWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172620$3,350
Riviera FWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Buick Riviera in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 21 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 21 bulletins →

Other model years of the Buick Riviera

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
1999655,8700—19—Not enough data
199829161,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19974394,3860—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199644116,2502—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199513075,1001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199351,2001—20—Not enough data
199212172,0002—19—Not enough data
19918200,0001—19—Not enough data
199016100,0004—19—Stable
19899147,0002—20—Not enough data
19875—1—19—Not enough data

All Buick Riviera model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Buick Riviera have?

NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1997 Buick Riviera as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Buick Riviera is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 10 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.

Has the 1997 Buick Riviera been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Buick Riviera get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Buick Riviera (Riviera, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Buick Riviera reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 94,386 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 150,000 miles; 10% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.