NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,333 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Buick Riviera electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Buick Riviera:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Buick Riviera Owner Comments

problem #3

Dec 232011

Riviera 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 1997 Buick Riviera that has a security light problem. I try to crank the car and sometimes it will crank other times it wont. I am a young male that normally travels back and forth to work but some morning's all I can do is pray. It never really bothered me before I have been told that I have the patience of a slug. But today I was pulled over because the brake light in my window was out long story short. I asked the officer if I could leave the car running because of the security problem while he checked my paper work insurance registration etc. He stated for both of our mind states it would best if I turned off the motor. I did as I was asked the officer returned to the car to deliver my drivers license insurance etc. He gave me a warning to get the light replaced then left mean while for the next hour and a half. He returned around 45 minutes later. I am on the side of the highway I tried cleaning the key with a dry rag letting the key set in the ignition until the light turned off. I even unplugged the negative side of the battery cable to let the computer reset its self. I went to GM and had a key made for the car because my first key had the rubber tip removed. So I figured I would get a new key made for the car as well as a new key pad everything worked fine for a day or two. I called GM the manager asked me to come back in and stated that maybe the key was under cut because they had just purchased a new key cutting machine and were still working out the bugs. The car started fine security light came on while I was driving and I just did not let it bother me for a while. Now im informing you guys because my other car was totaled by a hit and run driver while it was on the side of the road about two weeks ago I left it to put air in the spare tire. I hope that we can come to a solution to this problem before its to late for me or anyone else.

- El Dorado, AR, USA

problem #2

Aug 112009

Riviera

  • miles
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.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #1

Dec 172008

Riviera

  • 106,000 miles
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.

- El Paso, TX, USA

Not what you are looking for?