Buick Riviera Complaints

314 consumer complaints on file.

#10291539November 9, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED HESITATING. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND NOTICED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED . THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. ALTHOUGH HE EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE, HE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL) . THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10282558September 1, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FLEX FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280631August 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 19996 BUICK RIVERA FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. WHEN RESEARCHED THIS CAR AFTER THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS SIMILAR CASE TO MINES. I REALLY HOPE NO ONE ELSE WILL BE PUT IN MY SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278474July 27, 2009
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 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252095December 17, 2008
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252114December 17, 2008
STEERING
1. THE STEERING COLUMN SUPPORT BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS WERE UNDER TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY. MY VEHICLE HAS WIRING PROBLEMS AND STARTING PROBLEMS THAT COME AND GO. INADEQUATE TORQUE CAN CAUSE THESE BOLTS TO VIBRATE LOOSEN OR FALL OUT RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL SUPPORT BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1995 BUICKS BUT NOT INCLUDING MY BUICK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249436November 20, 2008
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK RIVIERA. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL FLAMES ERUPTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SMOKE IMMEDIATELY APPEARED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, FOLLOWED BY FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232104June 23, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A SMELL OF GAS. I STOPPED & WAS AT A TRUCK STOP. I CHECKED UNDER THE GAS TANK VEHICLE & SPOTTED NO GAS DRIPPING FROM THE TANK. THEN I WENT AROUND TO FRONT OF THE VEHICLE & SAW NO GAS LEAKING. THEN SEVERAL DAYS LATER, I DROVE TO FRESNO, PARKED THE CAR & TOLD MY DAUGHTER THAT I SMELLED GAS. I OPENED THE HOOD, REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER & FUEL WAS SPRAYING FROM THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE, THE SIZE OF A PINHOLE. I PLACED SOME TAPE ON IT & DROVE IT HOME. I CONTACTED THE DEALER & ORDERED A NEW FUEL LINE. I WILL BE TAKING INTO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED ON THIS???? A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT INTO VARIOUS AUTO FORUMS ON THE INTERNET & NOTICED THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. A PINHOLE LEAK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE. THIS BEING ON THE 1995 - 1999 BUICK RIVIERA'S ( 3.8 L ) V6. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230002June 5, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL SMELL WHEN TANK IS FULL. REMOVED ACCESS COVER FOR FUEL PUMP MODULE FOUND WELL FOR MODULE FILLED WITH DIRT OVER TOP OF MODULE. CLEAN OUT DIRT FOUND METAL RING TO HOLD MODULE IN ROTTED OFF TANK THERE WAS NOTHING HOLDING FUEL PUMP MODULE IN TANK IF CAR ROLLED OVER. FUEL CAN RUN OUT LOOKS LIKE A BAD HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227958May 15, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227960May 15, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221447March 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE - 1997 BUICK RIVERIA 3.8 L SUPERCHARGED ENGINE -- OIL LEAK FROM FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET -- RECALL JUST RELEASED FOR 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND GRAND PRIX BUT LEFT THE RIVERIA OUT OF THE RECALL LIST FOR THE EXACT SAME ENGINE --- I REPLACED THE GASKET MYSELF (VERY EXPENSIVE GASKET) - 11/05 -- AND FEEL THAT GM SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME FOR THE GASKET ---. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221494March 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GM HAS RECALLED 1997-2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX AND BUICK REGALS WIT THE 3.8 LITER SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINES FOR OIL LEAKING AND BURNING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING SOME 267 KNOWN FIRES. I HAVE A 1997 BUICK RIVIERA 3.8 LITER SUPERCHARGED ENGINE WHICH HAS BEGUN DOING THE SAME THING RECENTLY. I HAVE NOT SEEN THE RIVIERA INCLUDED IN ANY WEB SEARCH BUT I AM SURE GM IS TRYING TO GET BY WITHOUT REPAIRING AS MANY 3.8 SUPERCHARGED AS POSSIBLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220677March 10, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK RIVIERA. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL AND A WATER LEAK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 04-08-08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215716January 22, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I STARTED MY CAR, 98 BUICK RIVIERA, AND TURNED THE SEAT HEATER ON. I CAME BACK 5 MINUTES LATER AND STARTED DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK. ABOUT 4 MINUTES AFTER I LEFT MY HOUSE I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING BUT I WAS VERY NEAR MY WORK SO I JUST KEPT GOING. AT WORK WHEN I STEPPED OUT OF MY CAR I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE ON MY SEAT AND THAT MY LEATHER COAT WAS BURNING. I PUT OUT THE FIRE AND DISCONTINUED THE USE OF MY SEAT HEATER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208428November 8, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 BUICK RIVIERA. ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007, THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHEN HE CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID, IT WAS LEVELED; HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE, THE FLUID FILLED UP AS IF THERE WAS A BACK UP SOMEWHERE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE SOME OF THE BRAKE FLUID. THE DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 89V056000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR ANTILOCK) APPLIES TO HIS VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205663October 15, 2007
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203682September 21, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK RIVIERA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET. HE DROVE ON THE SHOULDER AND HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL FOR IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC SHIELD SEPARATED THAT COVERS THE MOTOR. HE WAS ABLE TO TAPE THE SHIELD BACK AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUPERCHARGER WASTE GATE VALVE SEPARATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO GET AN EVALUATION FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER DECIDED TO REDUCE THE LABOR COST TO $223.43. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,728 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,617. UPDATED 12/12/07
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193186May 22, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1997 BUICK RIVERA. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ONTO THE TURNPIKE UPON STOPPING AT THE TOLL PLAZA HE NOTICED SMOKE AND SMELLED PLASTIC BURNING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. *MC OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187580April 11, 2007
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
POWER STEERING RACK FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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