AI Damage1998 Buick Riviera: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Buick Riviera filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 29
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 24% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 10% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- Steering: 7 complaints (24% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine: 4 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 29 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer was traveling about 30mph and all four tires' tread separated, and vehicle veered into median strip.
Vehicle was rearended while at a standstill. Driver's seat collapsed backwards due to back breaking. Bottom of tracks was twisted.
Pe00 020; was traveling about 40mhp on the highway vehicle threw him sideways and he hits some bushes vehicle was damaged.
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.
I had noted the check engine light subsequently came on and code 0440 (or a variant of that, I cannot recall with 100% certainty. When I had some free time, I started investigating the emissions code and decided to check the fuel system from the rear of the vehicle working forward.
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.
While stopped, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The contact was a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
I started my car, 98 buick riviera, and turned the seat heater on. I came back 5 minutes later and started driving my car to work. About 4 minutes after I left my house I started smelling smoke like something was burning but I was very near my work so I just kept going.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,958 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Riviera has 18 complaints (18 years in the data). This year has 29, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Riviera?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, service brakes, engine. Total complaints: 29. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (10%), knocking, grinding or other noise (7%), smoke, burning smell, fire (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Buick Riviera?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Buick Riviera from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.