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Buick RivieraModel year report

1999 Buick Riviera Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
55,870miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 1999 Buick Riviera (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1999 Buick Riviera. The part named most often is steering, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by tires (2) and brakes (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,870 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 25 technical service bulletins for this model year. Tires complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Steering: “I needed to replaced the inlet and outlet hoses for the steering of my 1999 Buick rivieria. I had it in the shop to take care of trak off light and the mechanic advise me to have it done because they had a bullentin referring about it”

NHTSA complaint #10040923, filed 2003-09, 46,741 miles

Tires: “While driving our 1999 Buick rivera, I noticed what felt like an out of round tire. As soon as I arrived home, I checked out the tire. It was located at psr. I found evidence of tread separation in the form of a bulge in the tread. I also examined the dsr tire and found the same thing.”

NHTSA complaint #10227958, filed 2008-05

Brakes: “While driving 70 MPH with the cruise control engaged, gas pedal descended to the floor, causing the vehicle to surge to 120 MPH. When attempting to brake vehicle vibrated violently which burned the brake pads. Vehicle continued to drive at 120 MPH for half a mile before driver was able to shut off the engine.”

NHTSA complaint #10044279, filed 2003-10, 65,000 miles

Electrical system: “Well for starters the car has 131,000 miles on it and clean interior. But....the drivers side power seat incline doesn't work, the blend box or an actuator is bad, the cruise control doesn't work, and the AC compressor is locked up. But.... The worst part is the oil leak coming from the front valve cover. It is spilling out on my exhaust manifold and smokes badly. I just read GM has a recall on all the l67 3.8l supercharged motors in grand prix and regals amongst other models with the 3.8l but not the rivieras. Can the riv get some love too. …”

NHTSA complaint #10903557, filed 2016-09, 130,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 46,741 and 65,000 miles.

25%0–100%10–2525%25–5025%50–750%75–10025%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 55,870 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2003320082016
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 1999 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$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 1999 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. 25 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 25 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 1999 Buick Riviera have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1999 Buick Riviera as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Buick Riviera is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by tires with 2.

Has the 1999 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 1999 Buick Riviera get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Buick Riviera (Riviera, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Buick Riviera reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,870 miles and the middle half falls between 46,741 and 65,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.