AI DamageBuick Park Avenue: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Buick Park Avenue across 23 model years: 1,373 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9999 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 57 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 81 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 140 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 246 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 219 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 117 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 48 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 64 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 77 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 92 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 10% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 7% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 282 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 224 complaints (16% of all), 27 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 176 complaints (13% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 134 complaints (10% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 106 complaints (8% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1991–2005named in 11 complaints
- 3.8 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 1992–2005named in 9 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 1991–2005
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,373 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 282 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 224 | 27 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 176 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 134 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 106 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 102 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 98 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 91 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 66 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 53 | 26 | 0 |
| Suspension | 53 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 48 | 12 | 0 |
| Tires | 44 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 31 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When the vehicle was started, the contact heard a loud popping sound and noticed a lot of smoke coming from the tailpipe. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the neighbor's yard and a telephone guide wire. An independent mechanic was called to have the vehicle towed and diagnosed.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained whiplash and bruises that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I was driving home from work. Suddenly lights started going off on my dashboard indicating that my abs, traction control, and satiability control were out. Not being able to stop on the highway or contact someone to give me a lift home I proceeded to the nearest buick dealership to see what the issue was.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick park avenue. The contact stated that while attempting to avoid crashing into another vehicle, the contact swerved and crashed into a light post. The contact sustained a cut on the eyebrow, lip and several broken teeth due to the impact of the air bag which required medical attention.
The airbag did not deploy in our 2001 buick park ave. She died from her injuries. She was 17 years old.
After stopping at a stop sign I made a right hand turn onto a busy [address] when I accelerated and began changing lanes the car lunged a little and continued to accelerate on its own. I tried pressing the brake and it felt like there was a block of wood underneath it.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.