97 of the
1,880 complaints filed about the Buick Park Avenue
are about the body and structure —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1997.
Rust got to the back end of this car it is completely detached this car is not safe in any shale or form. The backend could fall apart at any moment and completely make the tires and everything else fall right off. It has only been inspected by me and I am 100%sure it is rusted through and through. Just don't wanna see someone get hurt. The car vibrates on the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11591425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PASSENGER CAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT ENGAGE AND DOOR REMAINS STUCK CLOSED. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PASSENGER OF THE CAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS FOR A PERMANENT FIX.
NHTSA complaint #11165401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE GEAR SHIFTER DOES NOT SHIFT IN TO THE CORRECT SELECTED GEARS. THE PREFABRICATION WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY ON THE BOTTOM ROCKER PANELS, THAT CAUSED THEM TO RUST PREMATURELY. THE PAINT IS JUST PEELING OFF THE TOP AND THE HOOD OF THE CAR. 8 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, GM DEALER PARTS BECAME UNAVAILABLE. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. I HAVE ALL MY SERVICE RECORDS AND RECEIPT'S FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR TO THIS VERY DAY!!! I STILL HAVE THE CAR TO THIS DAY. IF THERE WASN'T A RECALL THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN. ESPECIALLY FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER AND ROCKER PANELS...???? ALSO THE HORN PAD HAD A DEFECT WITH THE SPRINGS UNDER THE HORN PAD. GEAR SHIFTER OCCURRED MOST OF THE TIME WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT THE CAR IN TO ONE GEAR OR ANOTHER. THE HORN WAS PAD WAS REPLACED WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING AND NO HORN. IT IS A VERY NICE CAR BUT WHO EVER HELP PUT IT TOGETHER HAD TO BE ON SOMETHING??? MY 1995 PARK AVENUE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. IT ONLY HAS 167,787 MILES ON IT. NEVER DRIVEN IN WINTER UNTIL 2014.
NHTSA complaint #11084497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT CONTROL BUTTON PLASTIC PIECE PREMATURELY FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HAD TO RECONNECT THE PIECE WITH TAPE UPON SITTING IN THE SEAT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL FUNCTION FOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOORS FAILED TO WORK. THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 02/23/16
NHTSA complaint #10781745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE WAS PARKED UNDER OUR POLE BARN IN FRONT OF OUR HOME. MY NEIGHBOR CAME OVER TO BORROW MY CAR WITH MY PERMISSION. IT WAS COLD THAT DAY. SHE TURNED THE KEY. THE CAR BACKFIRE & THE HOOD JUMPED. THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE & SMOKE STARTED ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. SHE POPPED THE HOOD & GOT OUT OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME SHE GOT IN FRONT OF THE CAR FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR. SHE CALLED THE PERU FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO CAME OUT & PULLED MY CAR OUT TO THE DRIVEWAY SAVING OUR HOUSE FROM BURNING TO THE GROUND. THE GOT THE CAR PUT OUT EVENTUALLY BUT IT IS DESTROYED. ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS BURNED OUT. PARTS OF THE INSIDE ARE MELTED. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. WE CONTACTED BUICK. THEY OFFERED US $1000. FOR A CAR WE WERE OFFERED $3000.00 FOR THAT SUMMER. THEY THEN DECIDED THEY DID NOT OWE US ANYTHING AS THE CAR ITSELF WAS OVER 10 YEARS OF AGE. THEY WILL NOT ANSWER CALLS NOR WILL THEY PAY FOR THE DAMAGES. WE CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY.
NHTSA complaint #10692357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT THEN THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND STEAM STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS THE HEATER HOSE FITTING THAT HAD FAILED. ACCORDING TO MOST DEALERSHIPS THIS IS BECOMING A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10632680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE WALL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE INSULATION WAS SEE THROUGH AND COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO SEPARATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10627949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR WENT FOR ITS OIL CHANGE AND WE WERE INFORMED TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR NOW DO NOT DRIVE IT AN INCH. THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTED AND BROKE THIS HOLDS THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10532167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SO THERE HAS BEEN MANY TIME WERE M CAR DOORS HAVE WENT OUT AND WHEN I SAY OUT I MEAN TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN ONLY OPEN FROM THE INSIDE NOW I HAVE GONE OUT AND PAID TO HAVE THEM FIXED NOW I AT THE POINT WHERE I FEEL SOMETHING ELSE IS UP. I AM DOWN TO ONE DOOR AND THAT IS A BACK ONE SO YOU SEE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10462609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2012. THE BODY, INTERIOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE CAR WAS SOLD IN GREAT CONDITION AND I WAS TOLD OF NO MAJOR MECHANICAL ISSUES. I PERFORMED A CARFAX ON THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WAS FOLLOWED AND FOR THE FIRST 80,000-90,000 PLUS MILES WAS ONLY DRIVEN BETWEEN 5000-6000 MILES PER YEAR FOR THE FIRST 14 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND TEST DRIVING I BEGAN TO NOTICE A NOISE AND DECIDED TO PERFORM A BREAK JOB AND INSPECT THE SUSPENSION WHEN I FOUND THE SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER RUSTED/ROTTED OUT ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THIS PART SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND OTHER VITAL PARTS IN THE SUSPENSION. INSPECTION OF THE REAR SHOWED ONLY MINOR RUST. AFTER HAVING THE CAR INSPECTED BY A SECOND PARTY I WAS WARNED THAT TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THIS ROT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND WOULD BE DANGEROUS UNTIL REPAIRED. THE BREAK THROUGH OF THE RUSTED/ROTTED AREA COULD EASILY BE CAUSED BY HITTING REPEATED BUMPS, LARGE POTHOLES, OR BY DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE RUST/ROT OF THE SUB MEMBER CROSSFRAME WAS ABNORMAL AND PROBABLY CAUSED BY DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL/FRAME, SEEING THAT THE RUST/ROT WAS MOST SEVERE IN THIS ISOLATED AREA WITH ONLY MINOR RUST ELSEWHERE. CARFAX REPORTS LIST THIS CAR IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO REPORTING BY THE BUICK DEALER OR THERE MECHANICS THAT PERFORMED A MAJORITY OF THE MAINTENANCE ON THIS VEHICLE AS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH ROT IN THE SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS PRESENT AND SEVERE. IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE NEED OF A BRAKE JOB THIS DEFECT IN QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP/MATERIALS WAS LIKELY TO LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AT SOME POINT AND CAUSE INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10451736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE, THEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 129,000.
NHTSA complaint #10370902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO GABRIEL STRUT MOUNT KIT ITEM #142640 WERE INSTALLED IN A 2000 BUICK PARK AVENUE IN THE SPRING OF 2010 . BOTH STRUT MOUNTS FAILED AFTER ABOUT 5 MONTHS, ABOUT 3500 MILES. THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT HAD PIERCED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE HOOD. BOTH STRUT MOUNTS WERE REPLACED, AGAIN NEW GABRIEL KIT #142640 WERE INSTALLED IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE NEW STRUT MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES FAILED IN OCTOBER 2010, THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT WENT THROUGH, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT DENTED THE HOOD. A REPLACEMENT HOOD WAS LOCATED BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED YET. THE HOLE IN THE HOOD HAD INCREASED IN SIZE AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE. I HAVE PHOTOS SHOWING THE MOUNT SEPARATING FROM THE STRUT AND THE DENT AND HOLE THE STRUT MADE IN THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10363044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT. BEING ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY REPAIR SHOP, I SLOWLY DROVE THERE. THE MECHANIC TOOK THE CAR BACK ON THE ROAD AND WHEN BRAKED, PULLED MORE VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT. UPON INSPECTION THE FRAME, ENGINE CRADLE SECTION, HAD BROKEN. IN 30 YEARS, THE MECHANIC HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN. THE CAR HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE IT WAS IN GOOD SHAPE. UPDATED 10/05/10 *BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED 10/07/10 UPDATED 101810 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 10/21/10*JB
NHTSA complaint #10358038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THREE OF THE FOUR REAR SUB-FRAME BOLTS RUSTED AWAY, ALLOWING THE SUB-FRAME TO DROP ON ONE SIDE AFFECTING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT WHEELS. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FOR THE SUSPENSION IS ATTACHED TO THE SUB-FRAME. IF THE FOURTH BOLT WAS RUSTED AS BAD AS THE OTHER THREE, THE WHOLE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WOULD DROP ALONG WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND STEERING LINKAGES DISMOUNTING CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL FOR VIN #-- I AM AWAY FROM HOME AND DO NOT HAVE VIN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10296637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. AFTER HAVING NEW TIRES PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DROVE AWAY AND FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT UNEVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE WAS RUSTED OUT. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRAME AND THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY OPERATES NORMALLY. THE CONTACT READ IN CONSUMER REPORT THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THE FRAME ON OTHER BUICK MODELS, BUT NOT FOR THE PARK AVENUE. HE FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,530 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,669.
NHTSA complaint #10274114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE IS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVE WITH 140,000 MILES. I'M THE SECOND OWNER. MY IN-LAWS WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. I GOT THE VEHICLE FROM THEM IN 1999 WITH APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE, I KNOW THE COMPLETE CAR CARE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE. YESTERDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS CAR AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOST OF STEERING CAPABILITIES. NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR BODY DAMAGE DUE TO HER LOW SPEED WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE SPLIT INTO PIECES DUE TO RUST AND THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO FAIL SINCE THE STEERING RACK IS MOUNTED TO THIS ENGINE CRADLE. THE RUST THROUGH OF THIS THE ENGINE CRADLE (OR ENGINE FRAME) WAS CONFIRMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THE 1997 BUICK PARK AVE'S HAD A STEEL ENGINE CRADLE AND THAT THE MOISTURE AND SALT GETS CAUGHT WITHIN THIS BOX FRAME DUE TO IT'S POSITION DIRECTLY BEHIND THE WHEEL WELLS. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT 1998 PARK AVE'S( AND AFTER) HAVE ALUMINUM ENGINE CRADLES BUT THAT THE 1998 PART WILL NOT FIT THE 1997 BUICK PARK AVE. THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO FIND ANOTHER USED ENGINE CRADLE FROM A 1997 BUICK PARK AVE WHICH COSTS APPROXIMATELY $400 TO $500 JUST FOR THE USED PART. THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS TO BUY A NEW ENGINE CRADLE FROM A GM DEALERSHIP FOR APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO $1400. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS ENGINE CRADLE IS A VERY CRITICAL PART OF THE FRAME OF THE CAR AND SHOULD NOT RUST THROUGH WITHIN 10 YEARS. ALL OF THE STEERING CONTROLS ARE MOUNTED TO THIS PART AND WHEN THIS ENGINE CRADLE FAILS ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES ARE LOST. PLEASE REVIEW THIS WEB SITE FOR THE SAME PART FAILURE BY OTHER 1997 BUICK PARK AVE OWNERS (HTTP://WWW.ALLWORLDAUTO.COM/COMMENTS/1997_BUICK_PARK_AVENUE_COMMENTS_AND_COMPLAINTS_C42-256-1997-312-1.HTML.
NHTSA complaint #10240688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED AND THE ENGINE FELL FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO STEERING ABILITY AFTER THIS OCCURRED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT WAS LOOSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. UPDATED 09/24/08.*LJ THE MOTOR MOUNTS CAME LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. UPDATE 09/30/08.
NHTSA complaint #10235971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.