1998 Buick Riviera Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1998 Buick Riviera recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 1998 Buick Riviera.

Most common 1998 Buick Riviera problems

Problem areas named in the 29 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	7
Steering	7
Tires	4
Engine	4
Power Train	3
Seats	3
Electrical System	3
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Unknown Or Other	1

What owners report

2016-09-21, Fuel/Propulsion System
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, WHEN FUELING MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL, INLINE WITH THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. 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. WHILE LOOKING AT THE FUEL FILLER NECK, I NOTED A GLINT OF FRESH STEEL BEHIND THE TIRE. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE, I NOTED A HOLE IN THE FILLER NECK THE SIZE OF A US QUARTER. SINCE IT'S A FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT, I INVESTIGATED WHETHER I COULD GET A REPLACEMENT PART

2016-09-21, 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. PUDDLE OF OIL PHOTO ENCLOSED. THIS CONDITION IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY.

2016-03-16, Engine And Engine Cooling
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 04/29/16*LJ *TR

2016-02-05, Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK RIVIERA. 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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ *JS

2015-10-27, Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL DRIPPING NEAR THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

1998 Buick Riviera questions

Does the 1998 Buick Riviera have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 1998 Buick Riviera at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Riviera?

Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes, Hydraulic (7), Steering (7), Tires (4).

How do I check if a recall on my 1998 Buick Riviera has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.