1998 Buick Riviera Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1998 Buick Riviera, and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
- 1966
- 1969
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- 1973
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No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1998 Buick Riviera. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1998 Buick Riviera have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 145,516 miles. Complaints peaked in 2001 with 7 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 s”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 21, 2016 · Engine
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 21, 2016 · Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1998 Buick Riviera. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16 / 25 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Buick Riviera model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Buick Riviera model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 Buick Riviera | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 Buick Riviera | 0 | 1 |
| 1970 Buick Riviera | 2 | 0 |
| 1971 Buick Riviera | 2 | 0 |
| 1972 Buick Riviera | 3 | 0 |
| 1973 Buick Riviera | 1 | 1 |
| 1974 Buick Riviera | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 Buick Riviera | 3 | 0 |
| 1976 Buick Riviera | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 Buick Riviera | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 Buick Riviera | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 Buick Riviera | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 Buick Riviera | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 Buick Riviera | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 Buick Riviera | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 Buick Riviera | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 Buick Riviera | 1 | 2 |
| 1986 Buick Riviera | 1 | 2 |
| 1987 Buick Riviera | 1 | 5 |
| 1988 Buick Riviera | 0 | 1 |
| 1989 Buick Riviera | 2 | 9 |
| 1990 Buick Riviera | 4 | 16 |
| 1991 Buick Riviera | 1 | 8 |
| 1992 Buick Riviera | 2 | 12 |
| 1993 Buick Riviera | 1 | 5 |
| 1995 Buick Riviera | 1 | 130 |
| 1996 Buick Riviera | 2 | 44 |
| 1997 Buick Riviera | 0 | 43 |
| 1998 Buick Riviera | 0 | 29 |
| 1999 Buick Riviera | 0 | 6 |
Checking a specific 1998 Buick Riviera
How do I know if my 1998 Buick Riviera has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Buick dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Buick models
- Lesabre3,728 complaints
- Regal3,264 complaints
- Enclave2,501 complaints
- Lacrosse2,122 complaints
- Century1,817 complaints
- Park Avenue1,368 complaints
- Rendezvous1,241 complaints
- Lucerne943 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.