1996 Buick Park Avenue

Defect. A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE INCORRECT SAFETY BELT AND/OR SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ENDS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN INCORRECT PART IS USED, THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Sub-frame rust is severe where 2 at front of the engine mounting bushings all have rust, but the worst are the ones supporting the transmission -under the transmission, 2 have almost no metal frame and engine/transmission could drop down, as seen on some of the You tube videos. Inspected and find the engine appears to have dropped some... there is a gap where the steering wheel cover connects to the drive. This is a self inspection after replacing the stabilizing bar end link, had to be replaced.

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME DOESN'T WORK. THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME USUALLY DOESN'T WORK. THE MALL MODULE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE CAUSE BY A LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP. THIS SAME ISSUE IS A RECALL ON SOME OF THIS MODEL AND MAKE OF CAR, BUT NOT CURRENTLY ON THIS VIN#. GM AND SUTTLE MOTORS OF NEWPORT NEWS, VA REFUSE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I FEEL LIKE THIS VIN# SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED 5 YEARS AGO, WITH THE PROBLEM OCCURRING THE 1ST DAY OF OWNERSHIP.

SLOWED TO TURN CORNER, PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AIRBAG LIGHT ON. NO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE CAR.

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN OFF KEY CAN BE REMOVED WITH CAR RUNNING. *TR

LARGE BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL PULLING BEAD LOOSE FROM RIM, AFTER DRIVING ONLY ABOUT 140 MILES THESE TIRES ARE KELLY EXPLORER 205/70R15 DOT PJMO JD1R. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE WITH BRIDGESTONE INSGINIA TIRES, SIZE: P225 60 RX16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOULD WEAR PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE NOT ROTATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 200,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. .. UPDATED 11/25/11 *BF UPDATED 12/12/11 THE CONSUMER WANTS TO CANCEL HIS COMPLAINT. 02/06/12

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. *TR

DAVID NELSON DIED IN CAR FIRE IN DRIVEWAY OF RESIDENCE IN PLENTYWOOD, MT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND FELT PAIN IN HER LEFT HAND. SHE REALIZED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGESTED SHE CALL NHTSA. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG RECALLS AVAILABLE AND THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,037 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,027. UPDATED 12/12/07

1996 PARK AVENUE WITH MANIFOLD GASKET ISSUES**NAR**CC *JB

NIGHT & DAY DRIVING, INTERIOR LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS ACTIVATE: THIS CAN HAPPEN AT 05 TO 70 MILES AN HOUR: AT NIGHT ON A EXPRESSWAY THIS IS INTERESTING! WHEN ON A TURN THE ABOVE WILL HAPPEN AN ON UNEVEN / RUFF DRIVE AREA. THE ONLY WAY IS TO TURN OFF [ INTERIOR LIGHTS ] ARE TO REMOVE THE FUSE, THIS DISABLES MIRRORS, SEATS, ECT. WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF [ SOME TIMES ] IT WILL RESET STD. OP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE STARTER, TIMING BELT, AND ELECTRONIC COMPUTER RELAY WAS REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. A NHTSA RECALL, # 96V116000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETED BY THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE STALLING ISSUE REMAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, A BACKFIRE OCCURRED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ATTRIBUTED THE DAMAGE TO THE RECALL REPAIR. UPDATED 05/30/06 4 FUEL PUMPS REPAIRED IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND STILL THERE IS A SHORT IN THE AIR CONDITION AFTER FIXING THE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, CHECKED BRAKES DUE TO NOISE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. FOUND REAR PADS WITH UNEVEN WEAR, AND REAR ROTORS FLAKING. *TT

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS BEING PASSED BY A TRUCK CAUSING SOME AIR TURBULENCE BUT NO IMPACT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER MALFUNCTIONED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, REGARDING THE ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES, ALARM SYSTEM INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATES AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC DETERMINED THE MALL MODULE NEEDED REPLACED. UPDATED 02/27/06. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 95V204000 CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

CONSUMER REPLACED THREE DIFFERENT TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS UPDATED 11/7/2005 - THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 2002 AND HAD 22000 MILES OR LESS ON THEM WHEN THEIR TREADS SEPARATED (COOPER LIFELINER TOURING SLE RADIAL DESIGN 0042). *NM

DT: THE PRESSURE FUEL LINE SPILT AND LEAKED GAS. IT WAS LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE ENGINE. CALLER SAID THEY SMELLED GAS. DEALER HAD TO ORDER A WHOLE NEW FUEL LINE AND IT TOOK THEM FOUR DAYS TO IT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK *NM

DT: CONSUMER HAS SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL #95V204000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER. MANUFACTURER SAID CONSUMER'S VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. DEALER SAID SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE PART IN CAR REPAIRED (THE CAPACITOR), BUT WOULD GIVE HER THE REMOTE FOR FREE. *TT CONSUMER ADDED THAT THE CAPACITOR IS BROKEN THEREFORE THE REMOTE CANNOT BE PROGRAMMED TO WORK. *TT

DT: 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE, THE IGNITION WAS ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE CONSUMER HAD JUST STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN 3 MINUTES AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, ON JUNE 15, THEN ON JUNE 20 THE VEHICLE WAS JUST TURNED ON AND THE CONSUMER HAD JUST SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB

WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT A RED LIGHT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DEALER STATED WATER GOT INTO THE AIRBAG MODULE WHICH WAS NORMAL. DRIVER SUSTAINED CUTS AND BRUISES TO HIS RIGHT ARM. *AK

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO A RED LIGHT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DEALER STATED WATER GOT INTO THE AIRBAG MODULE WHICH WAS NORMAL. DRIVER SUSTAINED CUTS AND BRUISES ON HIS RIGHT ARM. *AK

WHILE PARKING, THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES,AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. *AK

THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE RACK AND PINION BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. CONSUMER COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BOLTS HELD THE RACK AND PINION TO THE FRAME. STEERING WAS IMPAIRED ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TC

CONSUMER STATED WATER ACCUMULATED UNDER THE REAR FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE LOCATION FOR THE COMPUTER FOR THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED IN THE WATER DRENCHED AREA. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR THE CONSUMER. *AK

COOLANT LEAK LEAD TO REPAIR OF UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. REPAIRS CAUSED WATER PUMP TO FAIL, AND SERPENT BELT TENSIONER TO FAIL. FURTHER REPAIRS WERE DONE, 500 KM LATER, OIL PUMP FAILED AND ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. BUICK 3.8L SERIES II V-6.

ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE'S OIL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE ROD BEARINGS, UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE REPLACED. *JB THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. *PH *JB

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE

POST ON THE BATTERY COME OUT WHILE GETTING A JUMP. AC DELCO BATTERY/ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

HEATING ELEMENT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS CAUSED BURN MARKS TO APPEAR IN LEATHER MATERIAL OF SEAT. THERE WAS NO OPEN FIRE. HOWEVER, MATERIAL WAS BURNED, AND COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY DEFECT. *AK SEAT PADDING AS WELL AS LEATHER SEAT COVERING WAS BURNED FROM BOTTOM TO SURFACE OF SEAT. *YH

ONE OF THE TIRES DEVELOPED A LARGE BULGE ON THE SIDE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/75R15 )

VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO PULSTATE AND SHORTLY AFTER IN APRIL I T STARTED TO MAKE NOISE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. MECHANIC FOUND THAT REAR ROTORS BEGAN TO FLAKE, CAST IRON WAS BREAKING DOWN. ONCE REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED NOISE STOPPED. *AK *SLC

WHILE DRIVING CAR WILL STALL OUT. I MUST PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART, WHICH IT ALWAYS DOES. BUT, IT STALLS WHEN I AM MAKING A TURN, WHEN I AM PROCEEDING DOWN A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP, WHEN I AM SLOWING IN TRAFFIC. I SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I KNOW OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER BUICK/GM OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD A NEW PART PUT IN, IT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM IS BACK. I NOTICED TWO OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED WHEN I SEARCHED THE DATABASE FOR COMPLAINTS AND THAT WAS JUST FROM THE FIRST 29 LISTED - ODI ID#'S 986510 AND 533550. I BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM, A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT WARRANTS SOME TYPE OF INVESTIGATION. PLEASE HELP. I LOVE THE CAR, BUT AM AFRAID FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

THE FRONT SEAT SWITCH BEZEL ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM DEALER. *SLC

CONSUMER FOUND NUTS MISSING FROM TRACK & ANCHOR UNDERNEATH BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER SEATS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER TO ORDER NUTS.*AK THESE NUTS ARE USED TO HOLD SEAT TRACKS TO VEHICLE FLOOR PAN. *YH

INTERIOR LIGHTS WIL COME ON BY THEMSELVESINTERMITTENTLY. DRIVER CANNOT TURN OFF LIGHTS, CAUSING BATTERY TO DRAIN AND A DISTRACTION TO DRIVER. A MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT DID NOT CORRECT DEFECT. *AK

THE REAR MAIN SEAL ROD BEARING/ENGINE CAMSHAFT AND PUSH RODS HAVE ALL PREMATURELY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ROTORS PULSATE AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DOESN'T STOP EVENLY. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM DUE TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

VEHICLE STRONGLY VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OF 65 AND MORE. APPARENTLY LOOSENED RF (PASSENGER) DOOR THAT WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER. VIBRATION CAUSES SEATBELTS TO NOTICABLY VIBRATE, VIBRATIONS ARE SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE SEATS TO PASSENGERS, OWNER IS AFRAID THAT CONTINUED VIBRATIONS WILL LOOSEN BODY PARTS TO RESULT IN A DEATH CAUSING ACCIDENT. NOTE, MILEAGE WHEN PURCHASED ON 11-04-98 WAS ABOUT 5400, A GMAC LEASE RETURN TO SELLING DEALER. THE VIBRATIONS OCCUR EACH TIME VEHICLE EXCEEDS 65 MPH. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT ROYAL BUICK INDICATED THAT THIS VIBRATION PROBLEM WAS NOT UNCOMMON TO 1996 PARK AVENUE VEHICLES

ABS BRAKES WHEN DEPRESSED DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN CONSUMER HAVING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

CAR WOULD ONLY TRAVEL AT 50 MPH. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (DUKE BUICK IN AUGUSTA, GA) FOR REPAIR. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES.

POWER TRAIN ASSEMBLY FAILED TWICE.

TRANSMISSION STALLS INTERMITTENTLY.

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING JUMP STARTED TOP OF THE ENGINE BLEW OFF AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. *AK

IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO HAVE A EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

ENGINE FAILED.

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.

PASSENGER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT FAILED.

FUEL LINE VIBRATES , MAKE A LOUD NOISE THAT IS TRANSMITTED TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK

VEHICLE'S FUEL LINE VIBRATES AND MAKES NOISE, THIS COULD BREAK AND CAUSE FUEL FIRE.