1997 Buick Riviera vs 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1997 Buick Riviera | 1997 Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 43 | 443 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 56 | 119 |
| Investigations | 1 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 3 | 22 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–20 | 21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | 85,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Buick Riviera | Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 100 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 87 |
| Steering | 10 | 80 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 60 |
| Suspension | 0 | 55 |
| Visibility | 0 | 41 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 40 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 25 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 28 |
| Stalling | 0 | 18 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 12 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 7 |
| Overheating | 0 | 7 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 6 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 6 |
1997 Buick Riviera
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
Compare all Buick Riviera vs Chevrolet Malibu years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.