FaultScore

1997 Buick Park Avenue fuel system problems

21 of the 355 complaints about the 1997 Buick Park Avenue are about the fuel system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 118,402 miles.

D

21

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel System, Gasoline 7 33.3%
Tank Assembly 4 19.0%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 3 14.3%
Fuel Pump 2 9.5%
Fuel Gauge System 2 9.5%
Carburetor System 1 4.8%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 4.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 4.8%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Buick Park Avenue year

1997 21 28.4%
1998 34 45.9%
1999 19 25.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 110,000 miles Janesville, MN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA complaint #10575200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Osage, MN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED BEFORE ENTERING HIS VEHICLE HE NOTICED THERE WAS A PUDDLE UNDERNEATH HIS VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE SPILL HE NOTICED THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000. UPDATED 03/23/12*LJ UPDATED 03/30/12

NHTSA complaint #10447927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,000 miles Arvada, CO 1 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE STRONG ODOR CAUSED HER TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY WAS 119,000.

NHTSA complaint #10406126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,402 miles Arvada, CO 1 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

STARTED TO HAVE STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF CAR WHEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS GASOLINE LEAKING FROM MOTOR WHEN I HAD THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WITHOUT ANY LUCK. HAD TO KEEP WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN BECAUSE ODOR WAS SO STRONG FROM THE GASOLINE FUMES. THIS ALL HAPPENED ONE WEEK BEFORE I WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR RESPIRATORY ISSUES. ON JUNE 4TH WAS ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL WITH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS FOR THREE DAYS IN THE TELEMETRY UNIT FOR RESPIRATORY DISTRESS. ON JUNE 10, 2011, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED A PIN HOLE LEAK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL RAIL ON THIS CAR. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL RAIL AND GM MADE THIS OUT OF PLASTIC THAT FAILED. HE SAID THE CAR IS CAN NOT BE DRIVEN THAT WAY IT IS AND THAT THE PART NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS NOT AVAILABLE PER THE GM DEALERS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THIS PART MAY BE UNDER A RECALL NOTICE AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK IT OUT. HE SAID IT WAS A WONDER THE CAR HAD NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE SINCE THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN GASOLINE FROM THE LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL. I CONTACTED A BUICK DEALERSHIP CALLED GRAND AUTO, INC. IN THORNTON, CO AND TALKED WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER NAMED BRIAN VAUGHN AND HE AND THE PARTS DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LISTEN TO ME CONCERNING THE ISSUE. I LOOKED ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME PART THAT I HAVE. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER RECALLS ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR BUT GM NEVER NOTIFIED THE OWNERS ABOUT THE RECALLS UNTIL THEY HAD CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS AGAINST THEM. I NOW RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS ISSUES BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART.

NHTSA complaint #10406702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Colchester, CT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

LEAKING GAS TANK THAT WAS MADE OF PLASTIC THAT WAS MADE FOR THIS SPECIFIC 1997 BUICK PARK AVE. ONLY...

NHTSA complaint #10356011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Syracuse, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT: THE CONTACT S SMELLED GAS AND IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. A FEW DAYS LATER SHE NOTICED A WET SPOT ON THE GROUND. SHE HAD A HARD TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT IT DID START. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BIGGER SPOT ON THE GROUND. SHE THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ,AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED TOWING THE VEHICLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL OF THE FUEL LINES WERE CORRODED. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THIS WAS COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE NORTHEAST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED; THE FUEL LINES ARE BEING REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10141266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,501 miles Galesburg, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

DT: CONTACT STATES IN HOT WEATHER 75 DEGREES OR ABOVE AND WITHIN ONE MILE THE CAR WILL DIE. CAN WAIT IT 10-15 MINUTES AND THE CAR WILL RESTART. HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 3 SUMMERS. IT USUALLY HAPPENED IN SLOW TRAFFIC, BUT CONSUMER DID NOT GET OUT ON THE INTERSTATE VERY MUCH; BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF HE DID. THE CAR WOULD DIE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE THE FUEL PUMP OR THE SENSOR IN THE CRANK CASE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOMETIMES CAM EON. . THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. HE HAS NOT TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10129104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,300 miles Parma, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FAILURE OF GAS GAUGE. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Meridian, MS Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

INSURED TRIED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE WHEN IMMEDIATELY IT POPPED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. INSURED HAD NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS, BUT REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE. CHECK FOR POSSIBLE LOSS WITH THE FUEL INJECTIONS, CLAIM 24-5198-330.

NHTSA complaint #6900845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Meridian, MS Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

INSURED TRIED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE WHEN IMMEDIATELY IT POPPED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. INSURED HAD NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS, BUT REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE. CHECK FOR POSSIBLE LOSS WITH THE FUEL INJECTIONS, CLAIM 24-5198-330.

NHTSA complaint #6900845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Slidell, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, AND CHIMMING. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD STOPPED AND RAISE THE HOOD. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. STOPPED THE ENGINE SAW THAT IT WAS NOT OVERHEATED. ATTEMPTED TO START. IT WOULDN'T. WRECKER TOOTO BRIAN HARRIS DEALER. DEALER REPACED BOTH INTAKE MANIFOLDS BECAUSE THEY WERE PITTED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO ENTER INTO CYLINDERS AND LOCK THE ENGINE. DEALER SAID BOTH MANIFOLDS HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #751819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sherwood, AR

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #549153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sherwood, AR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WATER PUMP FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #549153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sherwood, AR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL GAUGE FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #549153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calabasas, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

SWAY BAR LINK MISSING. FUEL GAUGE REPLACED, STRONG FUMES WHEN FULL. WEATHERSTRIPPING ON DOOR REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #609701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fountain V, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

GAS GAUGE SENDER UNIT FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #6900300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stambaugh, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

SHOULDER BELTS ROLL AND JAM IN RETRACTOR OPENING IF LEAN FORWARD, OR AS RETRACTING. FUEL EXPELLED FROM FILLER WHEN FUELING - REPEATEDLY, EVEN AT SLOW PUMP SPEEDS IF USE AUTO SHUTOFF - SEVERAL DIFFERENT STATIONS/PUMPS. MUST SLOWLY NURSE FUEL BY HAND TO AVOID - APPROX 1 CUP FUEL SPLASHES OVER VEHICLE, ONTO GROUND OR OPERATOR.

NHTSA complaint #709709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Joplin, MO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

WHEN FILLING GAS TANK AND REACHES FULL CAPACITY, IT KICKS OFF THE AUTOMATIC NOZZLE AND GASOLINE WILL SPILL ONTO VEHICLE AND GROUND. IN ADDITION, WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A VISUAL DEFECT IN THE DRIVER'S AREA. THE REPLACEMENT WINDHSHIELD CAUSES A DOUBLE IMAGE AND IS VERY DISTRACTING.

NHTSA complaint #523853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Joplin, MO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

WHEN FILLING GAS TANK AND TANK REACHES FULL CAPACITY AND KICKS OFF AUTOMATIC NOZZLE, GASOLINE WILL LEAK ONTO GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #523853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delray Beach, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, BUT WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY THERE'S REALLY 8 OR 9 GALLONS IN THE TANK. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #815853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stevens Point, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

GAS EXPULSION AFTER FILLING TANK.

NHTSA complaint #514690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Buick Park Avenue problems

← Full 1997 Buick Park Avenue report