Most common 1997 Buick Riviera problems
Share of the 43 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Riviera complaints by model year
Best Riviera years: 1999, 1998. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1997 Buick Riviera:
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with GM?s actions in 03v-473 and 04v-090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a…
What 1997 Buick Riviera owners say
Steering
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 anybody else or is it an isolated thing ?. Also, have there been any complaints concerning the motor mount bolts breaking (the heads shearing off) ?. If not for the above listed items this has been one of the most wonderful vehicles I've ever owned. Thank you for any information that you can give me. Kelly gardner
While driving and turning to the left, steering wheel will become very stiff and hard to turn. Dealer has been notified and has serviced vehicle before. This will be the 2nd time. Dealer has replaced the steering gear, this stopped the hard steering, however the noise was still there, just recently vehicle failed to steer left and dealer will not replace the steering gear due to vehicle not being purchased new.
Electrical system
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.
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 to but out, so he called 911 immediately. The car is at a total lost. The car a week ago before it happen had a very strong gasoline smell coming from the car, but after 1 to 2 days the smell went a way, it was check for gas and oil leaks but there wasn't any. Me and my family was very terrified and upset because, this fire could have cause death. …
Engine & cooling
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 folks at GM and I am having no satisfaction with them whatsoever. They claim that the age of the vehicle and the fact that there is no service record on file with a dealer play a big part in how they look at each individual case. …
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 other and eventually wear a hole into freon hose. …
1997 Buick Riviera engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Buick Riviera a good car?
Based on 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Riviera rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Riviera at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Buick Riviera?
The steering — 10 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rack and pinion. Next are the electrical system (6) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 1997 Buick Riviera have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Buick Riviera. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Riviera?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Buick Riviera years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Riviera problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 95,000 miles; 10% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.