Skip to content
Buick RivieraModel year report

1998 Buick Riviera Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
161,000miles, 8 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
19 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Buick Riviera (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1998 Buick Riviera. The part named most often is steering, with 7 complaints (24% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and engine (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 161,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 23 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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: Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10086893, filed 2004-08

Brakes: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #731186, filed 2000-09

Engine: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10908561, filed 2016-09, 161,000 miles

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #562044, filed 2001-07

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,000 and 170,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5038%50–750%75–1000%100–15063%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 161,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

1999200172003200620082016
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 1998 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 automatic162519$3,550

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 1998 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. 23 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 23 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 1998 Buick Riviera have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1998 Buick Riviera as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Buick Riviera is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 7 complaints (24% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 1998 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 1998 Buick Riviera get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Buick Riviera (Riviera, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Buick Riviera reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 161,000 miles and the middle half falls between 58,000 and 170,000 miles; 0% 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.