Owners have filed 63 complaints
about the 1994 Buick Park Avenue with NHTSA between 1995 and 2017.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Buick Park Avenue. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1994 compares with every other Buick Park Avenue
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.
Jul 1995peak 6Jun 2017
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Union, MICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE RAN OFF THE ROAD HIT A CONSTRUCTION BARREL AND A LIGHT POLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER HIT THE LIGHT POLE IT PUSHED IT OVER AND THE LIGHT POLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RELEASE, SO HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #10209423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesBloomfield, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED ON THE CONSUMER DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE GOT STARTED UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10109221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellefonte, PACrash2 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES. TS
NHTSA complaint #767805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #521830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Washington, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS IN A PARK POSITION, ENGINE WAS OFF. CONSUMER WENT TO START THE VEHICLE, ENGINE DID NOT CATCH . KEPT TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WERE NOT WORKING,VEHICLE DID NOT START .CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE,NOTICED THAT SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CHOP A HOLE INTO HOOD TO STOP FIRE.THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #820109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dyersburg, TNCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN ANACCIDENT IN WHICH THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG, BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. BUICK LOOKED INTO PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FOUND.
NHTSA complaint #819774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 120,000 milesHaltom City, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT 120K CAR BEGAN STALLING OUT (COMPLETELY) IN CITY TRAFFIC AT STOPS. CAR REQUIRED RE- STARTING. TOOK CAR TO A STATE EMISSION CONTROL & REPAIR SHOP STATING CAR DIES AT STOPS AND IS HARD TO START. THE SHOP RETAINED THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS, GAVE ME A BILL FOR OVER $300 AND I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR 2 DAYS LATER AS CAR WAS NOT FIXED. AFTER A WEEK I GOT CAR AND BILL FOR $1124 STILL NOT FIXED AND TECHNICIAN SAYING CAR NEEDED PART THAT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CAR NOT FIXED NEEDING GM #12353309 WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS A BOOST CONTROL SOLENOID; OR, PERHAPS A SUPERCHARGER BYPASS VALVE.
NHTSA complaint #10995816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHaltom City, TX
ENGINE
AT 120K CAR BEGAN STALLING OUT (COMPLETELY) IN CITY TRAFFIC AT STOPS. CAR REQUIRED RE- STARTING. TOOK CAR TO A STATE EMISSION CONTROL & REPAIR SHOP STATING CAR DIES AT STOPS AND IS HARD TO START. THE SHOP RETAINED THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS, GAVE ME A BILL FOR OVER $300 AND I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR 2 DAYS LATER AS CAR WAS NOT FIXED. AFTER A WEEK I GOT CAR AND BILL FOR $1124 STILL NOT FIXED AND TECHNICIAN SAYING CAR NEEDED PART THAT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CAR NOT FIXED NEEDING GM #12353309 WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS A BOOST CONTROL SOLENOID; OR, PERHAPS A SUPERCHARGER BYPASS VALVE.
NHTSA complaint #10995816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHaltom City, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AT 120K CAR BEGAN STALLING OUT (COMPLETELY) IN CITY TRAFFIC AT STOPS. CAR REQUIRED RE- STARTING. TOOK CAR TO A STATE EMISSION CONTROL & REPAIR SHOP STATING CAR DIES AT STOPS AND IS HARD TO START. THE SHOP RETAINED THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS, GAVE ME A BILL FOR OVER $300 AND I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR 2 DAYS LATER AS CAR WAS NOT FIXED. AFTER A WEEK I GOT CAR AND BILL FOR $1124 STILL NOT FIXED AND TECHNICIAN SAYING CAR NEEDED PART THAT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CAR NOT FIXED NEEDING GM #12353309 WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS A BOOST CONTROL SOLENOID; OR, PERHAPS A SUPERCHARGER BYPASS VALVE.
NHTSA complaint #10995816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesVictoria, TX
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR FILTER, AIR FILTER LINE, WHEEL SENSORS AND THE FUEL LINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10493217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
TIRES
1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE, RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT RIPPING THE FRONT FENDER OFF AND DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0457-90)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10
NHTSA complaint #10354258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesDeleware, OH
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE. ALL FOUR SUB FRAME BUSHINGS ON THE ENGINE HAVE RUSTED. TWO OF THEM HAVE BROKEN AND THE OTHER TWO ARE CLOSE TO BREAKING. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THE ENGINE WILL FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRIVING CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 12000O AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10319910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesPacifica, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10252090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union, MICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1994 BUICK PARK AVENUE RAN OFF THE ROAD HIT A CONSTRUCTION BARREL AND A LIGHT POLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER HIT THE LIGHT POLE IT PUSHED IT OVER AND THE LIGHT POLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RELEASE, SO HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #10209423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesPlano, TX
STRUCTURE
ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO OUR 1994 BUICK PARK AVE. ULTRA STARTED TO HAVE THE PAINT (WHITE)PEEL OFF. IT HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS VERY LITTLE PAINT LEFT ON THE HOOD OR TRUNK AND ONLY ABOUT HALF LEFT ON THE TOP OF THE CAR. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS ABOUT THIS AND BOTH HAVE SAID THAT GM IS AWARE OF SOME PAINT PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS BUT THAT UNLESS IT STARTED TO PEEL WITHIN THE FIRST THREE YEARS THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT IT. I DON'T THINK IT IS UNREASONABLE FOR AN OWNER OF BUICK'S TOP OF THE LINE CAR TO EXPECT THAT THE PAINT JOB IS GOING TO STAY ON THE CAR FOR LONGER THAN 8 YEARS. I WAS AT FIRST TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ONLY WITH BUICK'S WHITE PAINT BUT I HAVE SEEN SOME OTHER BUICKS SINCE THEN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT ALL ARE WHITE.
NHTSA complaint #10110180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesBloomfield, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED ON THE CONSUMER DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE GOT STARTED UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10109221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lutherville, MD
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. AS RESULT, THE CONSUMER LOST THE STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE CONSUMER FOUND THE BACK OF THE ENGINE FELL TO THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THE BOTH BOLTS AND THE SUB-FRAME WERE BROKE. *JB THERE WAS NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10092291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesapeake, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING CAR QUITS RUNNING. WILL WAIT APPROXIMATELY 3 MINS AND IT WILL RESTART. TOOK TO DEALER AND SEVERAL GARGAGE'S AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. SAID I WAS CRAZY.
NHTSA complaint #10058699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE STEERING CAPABILITY. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flint, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *JB THE VEHICLE WOULD GO FROM IDLE TO 75 MPH, AND AS A RESULT, THERE WOULD BE NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WOULD START AFTER A SHORT PERIOD AFTER SHUTDOWN. THE FOLLOWING ARE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM: PURGED FUEL SYSTEM, REPLACED 2 SENSORS/CRANK & ETC, NEW GENERATOR, COMPUTER, NEW SPARK PLUGS/WIRES, NEW FUEL FILTERS, NEW WIRING HARNESS FROM THE BATTERY, AND 2 TUNE UPS WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10014955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellefonte, PACrash2 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES. TS
NHTSA complaint #767805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TWO OF THE BOLTS HOLDING ENGINE RUSTED OUT, ENGINE DROPPED DOWN.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THE RUSTED OUT BOLTS, NUTS AND BUSHING THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE SUBFRAME.
NHTSA complaint #8013134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
STRUCTURE
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED RUST IN THE CARRIAGE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THE BOLTS FAILED CAUSING SUDDENLY CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, NO ACCIDENT OCCURED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saginaw, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKING SYSTEM WILL PULSATE EVERYTIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONSUMER ALSO, ABS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #889721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beachwood, OH
STRUCTURE
ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED, BOLT RUSTED & FELL OUT. TIE ROD FELL TO GROUND,MOTOR FELL & RACK & PINION ALL FELL. STEERING COLUMN DISCONNECTED. STEERING WHEEL SPUN AROUND
NHTSA complaint #744841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beachwood, OH
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, STEERING TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND. TIE ROD HAD FALLEN TO GROUND. ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WERE RUSTED AND COULDN'T HOLD ROD UP, AND RACK AND PINION DISCONNECTED FROM STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #887468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beachwood, OH
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, STEERING TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND. TIE ROD HAD FALLEN TO GROUND. ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WERE RUSTED AND COULDN'T HOLD ROD UP, AND RACK AND PINION DISCONNECTED FROM STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #887468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beachwood, OH
STRUCTURE
THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, STEERING TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND. TIE ROD HAD FALLEN TO GROUND. ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WERE RUSTED AND COULDN'T HOLD ROD UP, AND RACK AND PINION DISCONNECTED FROM STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #887468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY IS LEAKING ACID. ACID IS DESTROYING THE CABLE, AND IF CABLE IS DESTROYED, CONSUMER LOSES POWER . COULD LOSE BRAKING POWER.
NHTSA complaint #870164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perry, MI
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
CONSUMER WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE, AND FOUND OUT THAT RUBBER MOUNTING WAS BROKEN. ALSO, STEERING KNUCKLE WAS BROKEN, AND VEHICLE LOST CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #865705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perry, MI
STRUCTURE
CONSUMER WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE, AND FOUND OUT THAT RUBBER MOUNTING WAS BROKEN. ALSO, STEERING KNUCKLE WAS BROKEN, AND VEHICLE LOST CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #865705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.