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1999 Buick Riviera problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Buick Riviera is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical Riviera model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
48
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 1999 Buick Riviera problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Engine compartment fireOpened June 12, 2007, closed May 1, 2008

By letter dated march 12, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by the federal safety agency 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) and deposit onto hot exhaust system components.under certain conditions, it is possible for this oil to ignite a small pilot flame, which may spread to the adjacent plastic spark plug wire channel, the spark plug wires themselves, the plastic engine cover, and other under hood components.reports indicate this most often occurs on higher-mileage vehicles shortly after the vehicle has been driven and then parked.typically, the fire was discovered within 5 to 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked.during this time window, under hood temperatures may become elevated.such elevated temperatures combined with a lack of airflow through the engine compartment may permit a small pilot flame to propagate and ignite other fuel sources.to correct the safety defect, gm will install an improved design front valve cover gasket and spark plug wire retainer.this remedy will be suppliedfree of charge for all recalled vehicles.until sufficient parts become available to repair all of the affected vehicles, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions: (1) they strongly recommend that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, carport, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle - the dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; and (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the subject fire incident rate on the c-, g-, and h-platform subject vehicles is low.the agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.accordingly, this investigation is closed.see document file for additional information regarding this resume.

EA07008

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

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 vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02030

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Buick Riviera 48

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 48 bulletins for the 1999 Buick Riviera

1999 Buick Riviera fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylFWD162519

What 1999 Buick Riviera owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 4, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 130,000 miles · OK

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.....👎👎😢😢👎👎👎😩😩😩😩😩

Filed May 15, 2008 · Tires · AR

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.

Filed May 15, 2008 · Tires · AR

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.

Filed Oct 20, 2003 · Acceleration, Brakes · 65,000 miles · FL · crash

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2003 · Steering · 46,741 miles · PA

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

Filed Jan 2, 2003 · Engine, Steering · 50 miles · NJ

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.

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Compare the 1999 Buick Riviera

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Questions about the 1999 Buick Riviera

Is the 1999 Buick Riviera reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 1999 Buick Riviera, fewer than a typical Riviera model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Buick Riviera?

Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is steering (2).

How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Riviera have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Buick Riviera get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Buick Riviera range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 25 highway.

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