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FaultScore report

1999 Buick Riviera problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 1999 Buick Riviera with NHTSA between 2003 and 2016. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 5 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Buick Riviera All 1999 cars
C

FaultScore 45/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Buick Riviera.

How this is worked out

The numbers

12

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

65,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

30%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 9 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 51 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 9
Against the median year of the Buick Riviera. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Buick Riviera

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Buick Riviera

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Tires 2 16.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 16.7%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 65,000 mi

Steering 2 16.7%

Median failure at 23,395 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 16.7%

Median failure at 65,025 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 8.3%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 8.3%

Median failure at 50 miles

Brakes 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 65,000 mi

Electrical System 1 8.3%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 3 30.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 10.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 30.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 30.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 2003 peak 3 Sep 2016

NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Buick Riviera

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA07008 Opened 12 Jun 2007 Closed 1 May 2008 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AN...

EA02030 Opened 22 Oct 2002 Closed 9 Mar 2004 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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 SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICL...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 65,000 miles Homosassa, FL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, GAS PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE TO 120 MPH. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHICH BURNED THE BRAKE PADS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT 120 MPH FOR HALF A MILE BEFORE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10044279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Homosassa, FL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, GAS PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE TO 120 MPH. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHICH BURNED THE BRAKE PADS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT 120 MPH FOR HALF A MILE BEFORE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10044279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Homosassa, FL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, GAS PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE TO 120 MPH. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHICH BURNED THE BRAKE PADS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT 120 MPH FOR HALF A MILE BEFORE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10044279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 130,000 miles Sand Springs, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WELL FOR STARTERS THE CAR HAS 131,000 MILES ON IT AND CLEAN INTERIOR. BUT....THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT INCLINE DOESN'T WORK, THE BLEND BOX OR AN ACTUATOR IS BAD, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, AND THE AC COMPRESSOR IS LOCKED UP. BUT.... THE WORST PART IS THE OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER. IT IS SPILLING OUT ON MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SMOKES BADLY. I JUST READ GM HAS A RECALL ON ALL THE L67 3.8L SUPERCHARGED MOTORS IN GRAND PRIX AND REGALS AMONGST OTHER MODELS WITH THE 3.8L BUT NOT THE RIVIERAS. CAN THE RIV GET SOME LOVE TOO. I LIKE THE CAR BUT ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND A HIGHWAY SHUDDER AT 65-73.....👎👎😢😢👎👎👎😩😩😩😩😩

NHTSA complaint #10903557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Sand Springs, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WELL FOR STARTERS THE CAR HAS 131,000 MILES ON IT AND CLEAN INTERIOR. BUT....THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT INCLINE DOESN'T WORK, THE BLEND BOX OR AN ACTUATOR IS BAD, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, AND THE AC COMPRESSOR IS LOCKED UP. BUT.... THE WORST PART IS THE OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER. IT IS SPILLING OUT ON MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SMOKES BADLY. I JUST READ GM HAS A RECALL ON ALL THE L67 3.8L SUPERCHARGED MOTORS IN GRAND PRIX AND REGALS AMONGST OTHER MODELS WITH THE 3.8L BUT NOT THE RIVIERAS. CAN THE RIV GET SOME LOVE TOO. I LIKE THE CAR BUT ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND A HIGHWAY SHUDDER AT 65-73.....👎👎😢😢👎👎👎😩😩😩😩😩

NHTSA complaint #10903557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Sand Springs, OK

ENGINE

WELL FOR STARTERS THE CAR HAS 131,000 MILES ON IT AND CLEAN INTERIOR. BUT....THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT INCLINE DOESN'T WORK, THE BLEND BOX OR AN ACTUATOR IS BAD, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, AND THE AC COMPRESSOR IS LOCKED UP. BUT.... THE WORST PART IS THE OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER. IT IS SPILLING OUT ON MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SMOKES BADLY. I JUST READ GM HAS A RECALL ON ALL THE L67 3.8L SUPERCHARGED MOTORS IN GRAND PRIX AND REGALS AMONGST OTHER MODELS WITH THE 3.8L BUT NOT THE RIVIERAS. CAN THE RIV GET SOME LOVE TOO. I LIKE THE CAR BUT ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND A HIGHWAY SHUDDER AT 65-73.....👎👎😢😢👎👎👎😩😩😩😩😩

NHTSA complaint #10903557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington, AR

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING OUR 1999 BUICK RIVERA, I NOTICED WHAT FELT LIKE AN OUT OF ROUND TIRE. AS SOON AS I ARRIVED HOME, I CHECKED OUT THE TIRE. IT WAS LOCATED AT PSR. I FOUND EVIDENCE OF TREAD SEPARATION IN THE FORM OF A BULGE IN THE TREAD. I ALSO EXAMINED THE DSR TIRE AND FOUND THE SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #10227958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington, AR

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING OUR 1999 BUICK RIVERA, I NOTICED WHAT FELT LIKE AN OUT OF ROUND TIRE. AS SOON AS I ARRIVED HOME, I CHECKED OUT THE TIRE. IT WAS LOCATED AT PSR. I FOUND EVIDENCE OF TREAD SEPARATION IN THE FORM OF A BULGE IN THE TREAD. I ALSO EXAMINED THE DSR TIRE AND FOUND THE SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #10227960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Homosassa, FL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, GAS PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE TO 120 MPH. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHICH BURNED THE BRAKE PADS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT 120 MPH FOR HALF A MILE BEFORE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10044279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Homosassa, FL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, GAS PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE TO 120 MPH. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHICH BURNED THE BRAKE PADS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT 120 MPH FOR HALF A MILE BEFORE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10044279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Homosassa, FL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, GAS PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE TO 120 MPH. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WHICH BURNED THE BRAKE PADS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT 120 MPH FOR HALF A MILE BEFORE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10044279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,741 miles Locust Dale, PA

STEERING

I NEEDED TO REPLACED THE INLET AND OUTLET HOSES FOR THE STEERING OF MY 1999 BUICK RIVIERIA. I HAD IT IN THE SHOP TO TAKE CARE OF TRAK OFF LIGHT AND THE MECHANIC ADVISE ME TO HAVE IT DONE BECAUSE THEY HAD A BULLENTIN REFERRING ABOUT IT

NHTSA complaint #10040923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50 miles Columbus, NJ

STEERING

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START TO SHAKE. TS DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS NORMAL. ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF AND LOCKED DOORS. TRANSMITTER REPLACED. HESITATION ON ACCELERATION AT 35-40 MPH. DEALER REPORTED NORMAL. RUBBING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP. NO PROBLEM FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #10001797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50 miles Columbus, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START TO SHAKE. TS DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS NORMAL. ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF AND LOCKED DOORS. TRANSMITTER REPLACED. HESITATION ON ACCELERATION AT 35-40 MPH. DEALER REPORTED NORMAL. RUBBING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP. NO PROBLEM FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #10001797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50 miles Columbus, NJ

EQUIPMENT

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START TO SHAKE. TS DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS NORMAL. ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF AND LOCKED DOORS. TRANSMITTER REPLACED. HESITATION ON ACCELERATION AT 35-40 MPH. DEALER REPORTED NORMAL. RUBBING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP. NO PROBLEM FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #10001797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.