Complaints
43
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Buick Riviera Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#14 complaints
Engine Problems
Fires:1
#23 complaints
Electrical System:Horn
#33 complaints
Automatic Transmission
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Buick Riviera.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Column | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Column
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Buick Riviera. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Riviera Years
1998 Buick Riviera — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Buick Riviera reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1998 Buick Riviera has 43 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 4 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Buick Riviera?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (4 complaints); Electrical System:Horn (3 complaints); Automatic Transmission (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1998 Buick Riviera?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Buick Riviera include 3 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Buick Riviera have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Buick Riviera as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Buick Riviera?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Riviera reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Buick Riviera
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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