U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Buick RIVIERA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

43 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

94,387 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 10 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 43 complaints (7.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	9	20.9%
Braking behavior	7	16.3%
Transmission and shifting	2	4.7%
Electrical and battery issues	2	4.7%
Engine operation	1	2.3%
Fuel system concerns	1	2.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Steering

Steering:Rack And Pinion

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	3
Steering	3
Steering:Rack And Pinion	3
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	2

Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Steering: 3; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 33 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.

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2007

2008

2009

2011

1997: 2; 1998: 3; 1999: 2; 2000: 4; 2001: 4; 2002: 6; 2003: 3; 2004: 5; 2005: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2011: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10039206 · 2003-09-20 (September 20, 2003)

AS I TURNED THE SWITCH ON, THE CAR BACK FIRED AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THE CAR AND IT WAS SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT. MY HUSBAND WHO HAD HEARD THE BACK FIRE FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND THE FIRE WAS ALREADY BLAZING. WE TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT ENDED UP CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CARE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039206 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10040759 · 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)

CONSUMER NOTICED STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE TRAVELING OVER PUDDLES. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040759 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10042940 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)

1997 BUICK RIVIERA WITH 3800 ENGINE HAS A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT DEGRADES AND LEAKS COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSES HYDROLOCK, THEREBY RENDERING THE VEHICLE USELESS. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME AND LEAVE YOU STRANDED AND IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE TYPE. GM ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM IN JULY OF 2001 (TSB 01-06-01-007A) AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE TALKED TO HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOLK…

Owner-reported narrative. 93,773 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042940 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10054192 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054192 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068989 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

PAINT IS PEELING IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT AREAS RANGING FROM THE FRONT HOOD TO THE BACK SIDES.

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068989 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10092730 · 2004-11-30 (November 30, 2004)

THE SENDING UNIT FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME AT 44,000 MILES, SECOND TIME AT 67,000 MILES, AND THIRD TIME AT 80,000 MILES. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE SENDING UNIT HAD BARE AND MELTED COMPONENTS. *TC

Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092730 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10093047 · 2004-09-22 (September 22, 2004)

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 COUL…

Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093047 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10102781 · 2004-12-12 (December 12, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10102781 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

43 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

23.3%Usable mileage10 / 43 records

88.4%Valid incident date38 / 43 records

100.0%Valid filing date43 / 43 records

88.4%Ordered incident and filing dates38 / 43 records

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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
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 844121 TOTAL 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 Look up ODI 844121 at NHTSA ↗	318.8% ODI 548919 ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY FAILING, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL, ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS Look up ODI 548919 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 8013064 WHEN 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 Look up ODI 8013064 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 845826 VEHICLE 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 Look up ODI 845826 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	107.7% ODI 10046766 BRAKES 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… Look up ODI 10046766 at NHTSA ↗	511.4% ODI 715035 DEALER 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 Look up ODI 715035 at NHTSA ↗	24.7% ODI 810688 ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE BRAKING, RESULTING IN A CRASH. *AK Look up ODI 810688 at NHTSA ↗	310.3% ODI 706921 NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK Look up ODI 706921 at NHTSA ↗	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 803373 PURCHASED CAR NEW, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AND SECOND TRANSMISSION STILL SLIPS OUT OF GEAR . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK Look up ODI 803373 at NHTSA ↗	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 513411 WHILE ON A HILL DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FOOT FROM BRAKE PEDAL TO ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE ROLLED BACK, CAUSING ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 513411 at NHTSA ↗	24.5% ODI 506612 TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE BURNT OUT. Look up ODI 506612 at NHTSA ↗	37.0% ODI 714376 AFTER 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 … Look up ODI 714376 at NHTSA ↗	310.3% ODI 8000828 UPON 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 Look up ODI 8000828 at NHTSA ↗	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% ODI 525833 SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED. Look up ODI 525833 at NHTSA ↗	24.5% ODI 10092902 CONSUMER'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 Look up ODI 10092902 at NHTSA ↗	12.3% ODI 564868 THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *JG Look up ODI 564868 at NHTSA ↗	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 562176 WHILE DRIVING, FIRE DEVELOPED AND TOTALLY DESTROYED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC Look up ODI 562176 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 800535 WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUT OFF/STALLS, CAUISING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*AK Look up ODI 800535 at NHTSA ↗	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 563848 WHILE DRIVING, TACKOMETER FAILED, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION CHECKED. *SLC Look up ODI 563848 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	75.4% ODI 531377 LEAKAGE AROUND THE RACK & PINION RESULTED IN LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID AND A TRANSMISSION PAN LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. Look up ODI 531377 at NHTSA ↗	24.5% ODI 8018154 TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, WHICH COULD INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE OR BRAKES PER OWNER'S MANUAL. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK Look up ODI 8018154 at NHTSA ↗	12.3% ODI 10221447 · 150,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10221447 at NHTSA ↗	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 971536 BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING THE COMPUTER IS SAYING SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM . TT Look up ODI 971536 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.3% ODI 801485 VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD BECOMES INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT THE DLR CANNOT LOCATE.THIS OCCURS WITH PRIOR WARNING.*AK Look up ODI 801485 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 805873 ELECTRICAL 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 Look up ODI 805873 at NHTSA ↗	64.6% ODI 10014557 · 137,971 mi THE 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 Look up ODI 10014557 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	37.0% ODI 10252095 · 106,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10252095 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10903557 · 130,000 mi 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. I … Look up ODI 10903557 at NHTSA ↗
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 974243 THE 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 Look up ODI 974243 at NHTSA ↗	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 10006371 HORN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AFTER A FEW MONTHS HORN BEGAN TO "BLOW" WITHOUT WARNING. CURRENTLY, HORN HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH. *AK Look up ODI 10006371 at NHTSA ↗	24.5% ODI 515068 HORN FAILED 3 TIMES. Look up ODI 515068 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	310.3% ODI 10052035 · 58,000 mi INTERMITTENTLY HORN BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S SAFETY. DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK Look up ODI 10052035 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi VEHICLE HESITATE D BEFORE ACCELERATING. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK Look up ODI 10091911 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 845826 VEHICLE 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 Look up ODI 845826 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	64.6% ODI 10070232 · 74,000 mi I 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. Look up ODI 10070232 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	24.7% ODI 10221494 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 Look up ODI 10221494 at NHTSA ↗	13.4% ODI 10850080 · 56,513 mi TL* 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 04/29/16LJ TR Look up ODI 10850080 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10001797 · 50 mi CONSUMER 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 Look up ODI 10001797 at NHTSA ↗
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 487311 AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, DUE TO AIR BAG BEING INOPERATIVE, PRIOR TO RECALL.(90E043004) *DSH Look up ODI 487311 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	216.7% ODI 837976 VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 30 MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK Look up ODI 837976 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 845031 DAUGHTER 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 Look up ODI 845031 at NHTSA ↗	43.1% ODI 503041 DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE IN ACCIDENT. *DSH Look up ODI 503041 at NHTSA ↗	12.3% ODI 8018293 WHILE 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 Look up ODI 8018293 at NHTSA ↗	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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	106,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10252095 · 106,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10252095 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	Too few reports for a range	165,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10278474 · 165,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 10278474 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	170,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10406811 · 170,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10406811 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe	Too few reports for a range	73,887 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10042940 · 93,773 mi 1997 BUICK RIVIERA WITH 3800 ENGINE HAS A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT DEGRADES AND LEAKS COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSES HYDROLOCK, THEREBY RENDERING THE VEHICLE USELESS. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME AND LEAVE YOU STRANDED AND IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE TYPE. GM ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM IN JULY OF 2001 (TSB 01-06-01-007A) AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE TALKED TO HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOLK… Look up ODI 10042940 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10105736 · 54,000 mi 1997 BUICK RIVERA ... DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY-HOLE WORN INTO HIGH PRESSURE FREON DISCHARGE HOSE-FREON SPRAYED THROUGHOUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO DRIVE BELTS-BELT BROKE AND WRAPPED AROUND HARMONIC BALANCER - BROKE TEETH AND CRANK SENSOR- ENGINE DIED IMMEDIATELY-LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKING, ETC., DEAD CAR HARD TO CONTROL - TOWED TO GM DEALER - DEALER REPLACED ALL PARTS ($900.00) - GM MECHANICS AND SERVICE MANAGER ALL AGREED TO BUICK DESIGN FLAW - STEEL MANIFOLD FOR FREON HOSES IS FORMED IN SUCH A WAY TO CAUSE FREON HOSES TO RUB AGAINST EACH … Look up ODI 10105736 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1998: 10 complaints · 1999: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
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

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Steering	Steering:Rack And Pinion	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Electrical System	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Steering	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Steering:Rack And Pinion	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10221494 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 Look up ODI 10221494 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10221494 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 Look up ODI 10221494 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

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.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

3 mentions · 7.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 54,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10054192

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Look up ODI 10054192 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10105736 · 54,000 mi

1997 BUICK RIVERA ... DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY-HOLE WORN INTO HIGH PRESSURE FREON DISCHARGE HOSE-FREON SPRAYED THROUGHOUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO DRIVE BELTS-BELT BROKE AND WRAPPED AROUND HARMONIC BALANCER - BROKE TEETH AND CRANK SENSOR- ENGINE DIED IMMEDIATELY-LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKING, ETC., DEAD CAR HARD TO CONTROL - TOWED TO GM DEALER - DEALER REPLACED ALL PARTS ($900.00) - GM MECHANICS AND SERVICE MANAGER ALL AGREED TO BUICK DESIGN FLAW - STEEL MANIFOLD FOR FREON HOSES IS FORMED IN SUCH A WAY TO CAUSE FREON HOSES TO RUB AGAINST EACH …

Look up ODI 10105736 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10187580

POWER STEERING RACK FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Look up ODI 10187580 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 568001

THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO NOT START, EXCEPT AFTER TURNING THE KEY TO START, THEN WAIT EXACTLY 3 MINUTES AND IT WOULD START EACH TIME WITH NO FAILURES. ALL THE POWER WORKED EXCEPT NO START OR NOISE AND NO CRANK WITHOUT SECURITY READ OUT BY THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WITHOUT OUT FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY STARTED THE VEHICLE 25-30 TIMES WITH OUT FAILURE. THE DEALER REMOVED THE DASH IN ORDER TO REPAIR, AND IT NOW HAS A RATTLE IN THE DASH. *SCC

Look up ODI 568001 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 606816

FRONT BRAKES FAILED TWICE. *YC

Look up ODI 606816 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10280631

ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 11, 2009 MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FORM THE GROCERY STORE ONE NIGHT, AS HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN HE SMELLED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR, HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE WERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR HE SEEN A CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, HE LIFTED UP THE HOOD IN SAW FLAMES COMING FROM PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE CAR UNDER THE HOOD, HE WENT INTO THE FACILITIES TO WERE HE PULLED OVER AND GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT THE FIRE WAS TO BIG…

Look up ODI 10280631 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 714376

AFTER 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 …

Look up ODI 714376 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 54,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10105736 · 54,000 mi

Look up ODI 10105736 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b