FaultScore report
Owners have filed 134 complaints about the 1991 Buick Park Avenue with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the brakes.
134
Complaints
16
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 3 fires
Median failure at 100,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 93,376 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FUEL LINE FAILURE
BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Powertrain
THE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE COULD PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS COUPLING WERE TO SEPARATE, TRANSAXLE OIL WOULD SPILL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Brakes
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 105 - hydraulic brake systems. Parking brake may not hold vehicle as required. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and parking brake lever assembly will be replaced if necessary.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITH OCCUPANT LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT HOME AFTER A TRIP TO THE STORE. FIRE CAUSED VEHICLES DOOR AND WINDOW OPENERS TO FAIL. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN OTHER VEHICLES. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS HAPPENING IN OTHER VEHICLES AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T GET LOCKED IN THEIR VEHICLES WHEN A FIRE STARTS AND KNOCKS OUT THE DOOR OPENERS AND WINDOWS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY HAD MY MOTHER NOT SPOTTED THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE IN TIME.PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #735266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER HIT A DEER HEAD-ON. BOTH AIRBAG'S EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #853676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A BUICK DEALER. SEVERAL DAYS LATER , WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALLING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #837362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #542816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. WENT INSIDE RESTAURANT. SOMEONE NOTICED VEHICLE BURNING & NOTIFIED THE RESTAURANT. FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED & PUT FLAMES OUT. INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR & AROUND THE ENGINE AREA.
NHTSA complaint #823420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN COMING OUT OF A RAMP IN THE WAY DOWN, TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES AND STOP VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND, REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #823178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TOPPED OUT AT 40 MPH. THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED USING EXCESSIVE FORCE, WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY OPENED UP, REVVING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AGAIN, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE THROTTLE BY THE CONTACT, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. A SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10168735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE TIRE LEANING ALMOST OFF THE AXLE AND FOUND LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. *TC THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10108950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE TIRE LEANING ALMOST OFF THE AXLE AND FOUND LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. *TC THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10108950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DESIGN FLAW WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER EQUIPMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE VEHICLE'S WIPER DISCONNECTED FROM THE WIPER ARM. THE PLASTIC CLIP WHICH SECURED THE WIPER TO THE ARM RELEASED TOO EASILY.
NHTSA complaint #10092905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR WENT OUT AROUND 2:00 THE OTHER NIGHT. WE WERE ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD. TRYING TO DETERMINE IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN TILT STEERING TO CAUSE THIS. SEEMS AS IT IS WIRE BROKE OR SOMETHING CAME UNPLUGGED. HAVE ALREADY CHECKED FUSES.
NHTSA complaint #10068889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
CONCERNED CITIZEN: NEW OWNER JUST PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER A 1991 BUICK PARK AVENUE, WITH 100,000 MILES, VIN [XXX], AND WAS DRIVING THE AUTO WHEN THE MOTOR AND CRADLE FELL TO THE ROAD. THIS IN TURN DETACHED THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE CONTROL OF AUTO WAS LOSS. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10043046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BRAKES GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AND NO STOPPING. RAN INTO CURBING TO STOP AND AVOID CRASH. ABS SENSORS REPLACED, BRAKES, DRUMS, MASTER CYLINDERS, BRAKE LINES, ETC REPLACED. PEDAL STILL GOES TO FLOOR AND ABS GRABS AT END OF STOP. COMPUTER TURNS OFF ABS SYSTEM, BUT WON'T REPORT ERROR CODE OR CAUSE. ALL THIS HAS CAUSED BRAND NEW TIRES TO WEAR DOWN TO STEEL BELT WITHIN 4 MONTHS TIME. LOW BEAMS FAILED BUT STILL HAD HIGHBEAMS. LOW BEAMS COME AND GO. HAD TO BYPASS MODULE IN ORDER TO REGAIN LIGHTS. DT
NHTSA complaint #768930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BRAKES GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AND NO STOPPING. RAN INTO CURBING TO STOP AND AVOID CRASH. ABS SENSORS REPLACED, BRAKES, DRUMS, MASTER CYLINDERS, BRAKE LINES, ETC REPLACED. PEDAL STILL GOES TO FLOOR AND ABS GRABS AT END OF STOP. COMPUTER TURNS OFF ABS SYSTEM, BUT WON'T REPORT ERROR CODE OR CAUSE. ALL THIS HAS CAUSED BRAND NEW TIRES TO WEAR DOWN TO STEEL BELT WITHIN 4 MONTHS TIME. LOW BEAMS FAILED BUT STILL HAD HIGHBEAMS. LOW BEAMS COME AND GO. HAD TO BYPASS MODULE IN ORDER TO REGAIN LIGHTS. DT
NHTSA complaint #768930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
BRAKES GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AND NO STOPPING. RAN INTO CURBING TO STOP AND AVOID CRASH. ABS SENSORS REPLACED, BRAKES, DRUMS, MASTER CYLINDERS, BRAKE LINES, ETC REPLACED. PEDAL STILL GOES TO FLOOR AND ABS GRABS AT END OF STOP. COMPUTER TURNS OFF ABS SYSTEM, BUT WON'T REPORT ERROR CODE OR CAUSE. ALL THIS HAS CAUSED BRAND NEW TIRES TO WEAR DOWN TO STEEL BELT WITHIN 4 MONTHS TIME. LOW BEAMS FAILED BUT STILL HAD HIGHBEAMS. LOW BEAMS COME AND GO. HAD TO BYPASS MODULE IN ORDER TO REGAIN LIGHTS. DT
NHTSA complaint #768930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. CONSUMER NOTED KEY HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #882331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. CONSUMER NOTED KEY HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #882331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, DEALER REPLACED IT, AT 99990 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MOTOR CAM BEARING BROKE, DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITH OCCUPANT LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT HOME AFTER A TRIP TO THE STORE. FIRE CAUSED VEHICLES DOOR AND WINDOW OPENERS TO FAIL. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN OTHER VEHICLES. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS HAPPENING IN OTHER VEHICLES AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T GET LOCKED IN THEIR VEHICLES WHEN A FIRE STARTS AND KNOCKS OUT THE DOOR OPENERS AND WINDOWS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY HAD MY MOTHER NOT SPOTTED THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE IN TIME.PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #735266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN BELT IS LOCKED IN PLACE IT WILL RELEASE ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #873130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH DELAYED IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND BRAKES LOCKING UP INTERMITTENTLY; DEALER NOTIFED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS:
NHTSA complaint #868839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMOKE CAME FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED.
NHTSA complaint #725008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER HIT A DEER HEAD-ON. BOTH AIRBAG'S EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #853676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
THE VEHICLE HAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE THAT CAUSED CHAFING ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET.
NHTSA complaint #848108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MULTIPLE ABS FAILURES DURING OPERATION. ALL COMPONENTS (MASTER/WHEEL CYLINDERS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS/SHOES) EXCEPT FOR THE PUMP AND ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO FOLLOW A PATTERN OF FAILURES FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL. THE BRAKE PEDAL PLUNGES TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS LITTLE ACTIVE BRAKING AT THAT TIME. MOMENTARILY, THE PEDAL HEIGHTH RETURNS AND FULL BRAKING IS RESTORED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #706336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MULTIPLE ABS FAILURES DURING OPERATION. ALL COMPONENTS (MASTER/WHEEL CYLINDERS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS/SHOES) EXCEPT FOR THE PUMP AND ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO FOLLOW A PATTERN OF FAILURES FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL. THE BRAKE PEDAL PLUNGES TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS LITTLE ACTIVE BRAKING AT THAT TIME. MOMENTARILY, THE PEDAL HEIGHTH RETURNS AND FULL BRAKING IS RESTORED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #706336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MULTIPLE ABS FAILURES DURING OPERATION. ALL COMPONENTS (MASTER/WHEEL CYLINDERS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS/SHOES) EXCEPT FOR THE PUMP AND ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO FOLLOW A PATTERN OF FAILURES FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL. THE BRAKE PEDAL PLUNGES TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS LITTLE ACTIVE BRAKING AT THAT TIME. MOMENTARILY, THE PEDAL HEIGHTH RETURNS AND FULL BRAKING IS RESTORED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #706336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A BUICK DEALER. SEVERAL DAYS LATER , WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALLING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #837362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TURNING VEHICLE OFF, CANNOT RESTART RIGHT AWAY. HAPPENING SINCE NEW. PROBLEM CONTINUOUS. POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY (UP/DOWN). TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC SAID SHORT IN ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #836276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
TURNING VEHICLE OFF, CANNOT RESTART RIGHT AWAY. HAPPENING SINCE NEW. PROBLEM CONTINUOUS. POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY (UP/DOWN). TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC SAID SHORT IN ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #836276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.