Model year guide

1998 Buick Riviera

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Buick Riviera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1998 Buick Riviera — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Buick Riviera at a glance

Owner complaints36
Combined19 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Buick Riviera common problems

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1998 Buick Riviera MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,550
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Forced inductionTurbo + supercharged
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Buick Riviera costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,750
Fuel only$17,750
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Buick Riviera trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

1998 Buick Riviera vehicles on record

1998 Buick Riviera 1998 Buick Riviera Base1G4GD2219W4708927

Other Buick Riviera model years

1997 1996 1995 1984

1998 Buick Riviera — frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Riviera?

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are steering, engine, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Buick Riviera get?

The 1998 Buick Riviera has a U.S. EPA estimate of 19 mpg combined (16 city / 25 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.