Most common 1998 Buick Riviera problems
Share of the 29 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 1998 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 1998 Buick Riviera owners say
Steering
Steering wheel has developed a very significant "wobble" which exists regardless of what tilt position it is in. The wobble is diagonal, from northeast to southwest in direction, and the apparent pivot point of the wobble is just behind instrument panel level. Had car at dealer for other work, and they commented on it too. Did not call it a safety issue though... Wanted $120 to fix it. I declined at the time, since they didn't think there was a safety concern. I would tend to differ with their opinion though, and feel they should repair this at no charge due to it being the steering mechanism involved. I've heard this complaint from many other 95-99 Riviera owners, and it seems to be epidemic among these cars.
Steering wheel tilt is hard to unlock. Steering wheel has movement when locked in place. First time it happened, it broke and you could not keep wheel in the set position. This causes the steering wheel to move when applying the brakes or turning corners. It was found that the lock pin was broken inside column. This was repaired back in sep. 2003. Has started to do it for a second time.
Brakes
Rotors on disc brakes are rusting and warping causing improper brake action and caused one near accident incident where my wife was unable to bring the vehicle to a complete stop before bumping the car in front of her. The rotors have been replaced 3 times in the first 15,000 miles. Buick has stated the problem is "cosmetic" and not covered under the warranty. The allege that we have not driven the car enough and we live to near to the ocean. Buick's customer service department has been contacted multiple times. The latest included a 3 way conversation with the dealer and technical support stafff. They stated that the dealer has another woman who is experiencing the same problem. The technical staff stated they have no solution. They expect the rotors to fail approximately every 3 - 4 months. They have directed me to the florida "lemon law' for resolution. …
Consumer states horn is inoperable at times, on one occasion he had to hit the horn pad six times before the horn would sound, dealer has repaired/replaced parts on four separate occasions. Fuel gauge sending unit failed. Emergency brake needed adjusted, the pedal was not returning all the way up when it was released.
Engine & cooling
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
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.
1998 Buick Riviera engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl turbo supercharged | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Buick Riviera a good car?
Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Riviera rates average: 35% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Riviera at the same age. It is one of the best Riviera years by this measure. 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 1998 Buick Riviera?
The steering — 7 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rack and pinion. Next are the brakes (6) and engine & cooling (5).
How many recalls does the 1998 Buick Riviera have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 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 1998 Buick Riviera problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 161,000 miles; 0% 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.