1975 Buick RIVIERA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
0 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1975 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
No owner complaints are recorded for this selection. A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Pattern summary
There is not enough complaint evidence to summarize patterns.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
0 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 844121TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE MOTOR MODULE FOR THE ABS SYSTEM IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK | 318.8%ODI 548919ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY FAILING, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL, ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS | 225.0%ODI 8013064WHEN APPLYING BRAKE UNDER NORMAL BRAKING SITUATIONS THERE IS EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, AND CALIPERS ONCE. PLEASE ADD FURTHER DEATAILS.*AK | 18.3%ODI 845826VEHICLE WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE GAUGE RED LINE APPEARED AND THE BRAKES BECAME VERY SPONGY. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITH REDUCED TRAFFIC AND INCREASED SPEED, COOLING OCCURED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EFFECTIVENESS RETURNED. CONTACTED DEALER. *ML | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 107.7%ODI 10046766BRAKES HAVE A TENDENCY TO MOMENTARILY DELAY IN STOPPING. NOTICED THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES UPON LEAVING PARKING LOTS AT SLOW SPEEDS (5 - 10 MPH). PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN BARELY ACCELERATING & THEN APPLYING BRAKE TO STOP. CAN FEEL BRAKES LOCK UP UNDER BRAKE PEDAL. HASN'T CREATED AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY IN THE WINTER TIME. NEVER HAD ANY LIGHTS OR WARNING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL. HAVE ALSO NOTICED PROBLEM IN THE FRONT WHEELS WHILE MANUEVERING TIRES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. FEELS LIKE TIRES POPPING AGAINST… | 511.4%ODI 715035DEALER HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL, BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THE BRAKE MODULE JUST DID THE SAME THING IT DID LAST YEAR AND WE JUST HAD THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. FOR THIS EXPENISVE A CAR, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP CONSTANTLY AND IS UNRELIABLE. WE HAVE NEVER IN THE LAST NINE CARS HAD ANY OF THEM BE IN THE SHOP LIKE THIS. THIS IS REGRETFULLY OUR FIRST AND LAST BUICK AT THIS RATE. THE CAR IS LOVELY, BUT CAN'T BE TRUSTED ON OVER A TWO HOUR TRIP. *AK | 24.7%ODI 810688ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE BRAKING, RESULTING IN A CRASH. *AK | 310.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 803373PURCHASED CAR NEW, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AND SECOND TRANSMISSION STILL SLIPS OUT OF GEAR . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 86.2%ODI 513411WHILE ON A HILL DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FOOT FROM BRAKE PEDAL TO ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE ROLLED BACK, CAUSING ACCIDENT. | 24.5% | 37.0%ODI 714376AFTER STOPPING AT AN UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTION, MY FRONT BUMPER WAS INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE SO I BACKED UP ABOUT TWO FEET IN CASE A CAR WAS COMING FROM MY LEFT THAT I MIGHT NOT SEE. I SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY SO I COULD PROCEED ACROSS THE LANES AND COMPLETE MY LEFT TURN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLOW TO ENGAGE COMPLETELY INTO DRIVE AND LURCHED FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT LET ME ACCELERATE INTO MY LEFT TURN. I WAS ALMOST BROADSIDED ON MY RIGHT AS THIS TRANSMISSION NEEDED A LONG PAUSE BEFORE ENGAGING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD … | 310.3%ODI 8000828UPON 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 129.2% | 24.5%ODI 10092902CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 00V057000. PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SHOULDER BELT(S) DO NOT RETRACT. A RETAINER COULD SEPARATE FROM A REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WHICH RESULTS IN THE RETRACTOR RETURN SPRING BECOMING DISENGAGED. DEALER INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT RECALL APPLIED ONLY FOR THE YEAR 1995 .*AK | 12.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2100.0%ODI 562176WHILE DRIVING, FIRE DEVELOPED AND TOTALLY DESTROYED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 800535WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUT OFF/STALLS, CAUISING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 563848WHILE DRIVING, TACKOMETER FAILED, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION CHECKED. *SLC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 75.4%ODI 531377LEAKAGE AROUND THE RACK & PINION RESULTED IN LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID AND A TRANSMISSION PAN LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. | 24.5%ODI 8018154TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, WHICH COULD INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE OR BRAKES PER OWNER'S MANUAL. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK | 12.3%ODI 10221447 · 150,000 miVEHICLE - 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 971536BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING THE COMPUTER IS SAYING SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM . TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 801485VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD BECOMES INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT THE DLR CANNOT LOCATE.THIS OCCURS WITH PRIOR WARNING.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 805873ELECTRICAL SHORT, WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE CONSOLE LIGHTS GO OFF AND VEHICLE STALLS, LIGHTS WILL FLASH. *AK DEALER FOUND A LOOSE CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY WHICH WAS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS, DEALER DID NOT CHARGE CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS AND PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. *SLC | 64.6%ODI 10014557 · 137,971 miTHE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND THE MODULATION VALVE. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE EGR SYSTEM FAILED. *AK *NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 37.0%ODI 10252095 · 106,000 miTHIS 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10903557 · 130,000 miWELL 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. I … |
| Electrical System:Horn | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 974243THE HORN BUTTONS FELL OFF AND NOW THE DRIVER HAS NO HORN. BUICK HAS REDESIGNED THE HORN MECHANISM. TT AT FIRST THE HORN WAS REPAIRD WITH SUPER GLUE. AFTER A YEAR, BOTH BUTTONS WERE REPLACED. *YH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 64.6%ODI 10006371HORN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AFTER A FEW MONTHS HORN BEGAN TO "BLOW" WITHOUT WARNING. CURRENTLY, HORN HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH. *AK | 24.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 310.3%ODI 10052035 · 58,000 miINTERMITTENTLY HORN BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S SAFETY. DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 10091911 · 100,000 miVEHICLE HESITATE D BEFORE ACCELERATING. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 18.3%ODI 845826VEHICLE WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE GAUGE RED LINE APPEARED AND THE BRAKES BECAME VERY SPONGY. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITH REDUCED TRAFFIC AND INCREASED SPEED, COOLING OCCURED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EFFECTIVENESS RETURNED. CONTACTED DEALER. *ML | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 64.6%ODI 10070232 · 74,000 miI WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AS WELL AS THE LOWER INTAKE(PLENUM). (3.8L V6) THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY A FIRESTONE RETAIL STORE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT WERE THE REPAIR COSTS? I SURE AM CURIOUS. AS FAR AS PAINT, I HAD THE CAR PAINTED FOR $1000.00. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 24.7%ODI 10221494GM 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 | 13.4%ODI 10850080 · 56,513 miTL* 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 | 116.7%ODI 10001797 · 50 miCONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START TO SHAKE. TS DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS NORMAL. ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF AND LOCKED DOORS. TRANSMITTER REPLACED. HESITATION ON ACCELERATION AT 35-40 MPH. DEALER REPORTED NORMAL. RUBBING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP. NO PROBLEM FOUND. *TT |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 318.8%ODI 487311AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, DUE TO AIR BAG BEING INOPERATIVE, PRIOR TO RECALL.(90E043004) *DSH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 216.7%ODI 837976VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 30 MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK | 120.0%ODI 845031DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 45MPH, ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORT, HAD LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AFTER SWERVING. HIT ENBANKMENT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE FLIPPED END OVER END. DRIVER DIED. *AK | 43.1% | 12.3%ODI 8018293WHILE DRIVING AT ESTIMATED SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR RUNNING OVER DEBRIS IN ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1998: 10 complaints · 1999: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 7 | 10 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 23 | 6 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component |
|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.