Reliability & cost of ownership
Buick Riviera Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Buick Riviera? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Buick Riviera problems by model year
3 recall entries across 2 model years and 252 owner complaints across 5 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 3 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Riviera | Not confirmed | 6 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 1998 Riviera | Not confirmed | 29 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1997 Riviera | Not confirmed | 43 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1996 Riviera | 2 | 44 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1995 Riviera | 1 | 130 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Buick Riviera, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine and engine cooling35 complaints
- steering35 complaints
- electrical system30 complaints
- power train30 complaints
- seat belts30 complaints
- service brakes, hydraulic28 complaints
- fuel system, gasoline13 complaints
- engine11 complaints