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Research · Midsize Cars

1999 Buick RivieraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 1999 Buick Riviera. Most complaints involve tires (2) and steering (2). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
6
Top: tires
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1999 Buick Riviera as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2003 – Sep 2016
  1. Tires2
  2. Steering2
  3. Electrical system1
  4. Engine1
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  6. Vehicle speed control1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Equipment1
  9. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Riviera model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199644
199743
199829
19996
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Tires

2 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2008TiresODI 10227958

Steering

2 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2003SteeringODI 10040923

Electrical system

1 report
“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.....👎👎😢😢👎👎👎😩😩😩😩😩”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2016Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 10903557
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Riviera
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$4,050468
  • Riviera
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Buick Riviera as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Riviera questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Riviera have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 1999 Buick Riviera problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (2), steering (2), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Buick Riviera get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Buick Riviera at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026