1997 Buick Park Avenue

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELTS THAT MAY TWIST, ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.

Risk. WHEN THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE BELT MAY BE UNUSABLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF UPDATED FRONT SHOULDER BELT BEZELS AND WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT OPENING BEZEL KITS.

Defect. THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM WOULD NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LITTLE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE REAR DEFROSTER, DISCONNECTED THE PLUG, REMOVED THE REAR PANEL, AND NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FEED AND MODULE WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BAY RIDGE CHEVROLET (1575 86TH ST, BROOKLYN, NY 11228, (833) 452-1829) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT PART NUMBER: 25623688 (RED RADIO ANTENNA MODULE), THE AC (DELCO PT1183), AND THE REAR WINDOW ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5585220430. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

WHY WAS THIS CAR NOT RECALLED WITH OTHER GM PRODUCTS WITH THE 3800 V6 ENGINES FOR THE OIL LEAKS? THESE CARS HAVE THE SAME 3800 V6 AS ALL OF THE RECALLED CARS!

MY PROBLEM IS, THE LEFT BLINKER OF THE FRONT, BACK AND HEADBOARD IS NOT WORKING. BUT IF I PUT ON MY FLASHERS, ALL MY LIGHTS ARE WORKING, INCLUDING THE LEFT BLINKER. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ITS NOT THE LIGHT BULB, AND ITS NOT THE FUSES FROM BOTH THE FRONT AND THE HEADBOARD FUSES BOXES, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY RESEARCH AND THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM AND ITS BEEN AN OCCURRING ISSUE FOR THE 1997-2005 BUICK PARK AVENUE. . .UPDATED 07/20/15 *BF

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.

I HAVE A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE, WHEN I TURN TO THE RIGHT ONLY EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT I HEAR A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA. I HAD THE WHEEL BEARINGS CHECKED AND REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE BEARING AND STILL HAD THE SAME NOISE. I DO NOT KNOW IF ITS PART OF THE STEERING OR MAYBE THE PILOT BEARING IF IT HAS ONE ON THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. MAYBE THE RACK PINION SYSTEM. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX IT. PLEASE HELP...? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND CAME TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

PASSENGER SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *TR

I OWN A 1997 PARK AVE ULTRA WITH SEVERAL RECALL REPAIR ISSUES THE FOLLOWING WERE ADDRESSED BY GM BUT NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED: (FAULTY) ABS SYSTEM (WITH CAMPAIGN CODE STICKER) REPLACED ABS SYSTEM CUTS OUT RANDOMLY CAUSING CHANGES IN STOPPING DISTANCE (IN SEVERE BRAKING SITUATIONS THE ABS SYSTEM HAS CUT OUT ON ME GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES JUST TO COME TO A NORMAL STOP) FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT(NO CAMPAIGN STICKER) MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR WAS NEVER FIXED OR TORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFIED STANDARDS WHILE IN FOR REPAIRS LET ALONE ADDRESSED AT ALL RACK AND PINION HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES SOME DUE TO AGE AND MILES BUT REGARDLESS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS LOOSE AND BEARINGS ARE SHOT THE FAULTY RECALL REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE DON'T INSTILL TRUST IN GM'S ABILITY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE A SECOND TIME. *TR

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

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.

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 THA

AFTER 20 MILES OF SMOOTH DRIVING WITH NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG AND WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY OFFICE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY SHUTOFF MY VEHICLE ANY TIME SUCH THING HAPPENS TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, I PROCEEDED TO WALK INTO THE PARTS STORE NEXT TO MY OFFICE TO GET POWER STEERING FLUID DUE TO THE LOW FLUID LEVEL I HAD, HOWEVER WHEN I TRIED TO TURN OVER THE MOTOR THE MOTOR WOULD NOT TURN. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS "HYDROLOCKED" AND THAT THERE IS A COOLANT PASSAGE WHICH IS COMMONLY KNOWN TO LEAK INTO CYLINDER 6 AND LOCKING THE MOTOR REQUIRING THE INTAKE AND GASKETS TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED LESS THAN 30DAYS AFTER MY VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION AT A DEALERSHIP. ALSO NOTING THAT THE DEALER WAS TOLD I WAS LOSING ABOUT A GALLON OF COOLANT WEEKLY. A COOLANT ELBOW WAS REPAIRED, THEN TWO DAYS LATER IS WHEN THE MOTOR LOCKED. *TR

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.

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

1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WHICH IS ANTI FREEZE LEAKING ONTO THE OIL CHAMBER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT LEAKED ONTO THE FAN BELT WHICH CAUSED IT TO BREAK. (CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS AUNT; OWNER OF THE VEHICLE) *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. HE THEN ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT DECREASE IN SPEED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN UNUSUALLY LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE INTO A GRASSY FIELD TO AVOID A CRASH; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AT 90 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A STATE TROOPER WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.

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.

IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER IN THE MIDWEST, STARTED THE 1997 PARK AVENUE ULTRA TO WARM UP. PUT THE REAR DEFROST ON, ON MY WAY TO WORK ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER HE INITIAL START OF THE VEHICLE, I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING RELATING TO BURNING ELECTRICAL OR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE MODULE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE "C" PILLAR NEXT TO THE REAR WINDOW APPEARED TO BE MELTING/BURNING. I REMOVED THE MODULE AND FOUND THE POWER CONNECTOR TO THE MODULE HAD COMPLETELY MELTED AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. DUE TO MY EXPERIENCE IN ELECTRONICS AND VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS I WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE MODULE AND REPLACE THE BURNED CONNECTORS WITH ANOTHER TYPE OF CONNECTOR. I WOULD RECOMMEND ANYONE THAT OWNS A GM WITH THIS MODULE, CHECK CONNECTIONS AND PUT ELECTRIC SAFE DIELECTRIC GREASE ON THE CONNECTIONS TO AVOID ARCING AND POSSIBLE FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. CURRENTLY, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WILL ENGAGE DURING BRAKING. OCCASIONALLY, THEY ENGAGE BY THEMSELVES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARS A GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHE IS NOT BRAKING. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,800.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGE WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,004 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. UPDATED 10/03/08.*JB

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 TH

ENGINE OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER OF THE 3.8L SUPERCHARGED ENGINE AND DRIPPING ON THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR

I DROVE MY CAR OUT TO A RESTAURANT AND PARKED IT. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT TO GO HOME A COUPLE HOURS LATER, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I TRIED IT AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING AND THEN HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS 'LIQUID LOCKED BECAUSE ANTIFREEZE HAD LEAKED INTO A CYLINDER AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE PISTON TO MOVE UP. I AM LOOKING AT 2500 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS AND A WEEK TO GET THE PARTS AND DO IT. THERE ARE TSB'S OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD SHOULDER THE COSTS FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE GASKET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE ULTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE AND PROVIDED A FIRE REPORT. THE POLICE ARRIVED, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,998 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,998.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT CEASED WORKING ON MY 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I PAID FOR A NEW SEATBELT ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION. THEN, ON AUGUST 6TH (TWO WEEKS AGO) 2007, THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BECAME INOPERABLE(THE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT), THEREFORE MAKING IT USELESS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THIS REPAIR DONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.

1. !997 BUICK PK. AVE. FRAME RUST OUT WITH FAILURE OF RIGHT FRONT STEERING. LIFE THREATENING DEFECT IN ENGINE CRADLE. 2. ALL 4 ALERO COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED PUNCTURING L FRONT TIRE RISKING LIFE.3. FLOODED PASS. SIDE DUE TO DEFECTIVE FIREWALL BAFFLE ON INTRIGUE.4. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET DEFECTIVE 2 3.8 L. ENGINES REPAIRED PK. AVE. AND INTRIGUE. ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS - NO ADMISSION OR OFFER OF ASSISTANCE THRU GM COMPLAINT MECHANISM EVEN WITH BBB HELP. ALL KNOWN DEFECTS REPORTED ON LINE BY OTHERS. FRAME RUST OUT PUT UNUSUAL BUT CLEARLY DEFECTIVE RISKING MY LIFE - GM REFUSED TO VIEW PARTS. PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK . PROFITS OVER SAFETY. NUMEROUS OTHER SMALL DEFECTS INSIDE AND OUT PK. AVE. FULLY DOCUMENTED. *JB

REPEATABLE, WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE, THE ABS AND TRACTION-OFF WARNING-LIGHTS SUDDENLY COME ON TOGETHER AND STAY ON INDICATING LOSS OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON RESETS THE FUNCTIONS, BUT THEY WILL BECOME DISABLED AGAIN SOMETIME LATER WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD HAPPEN, POSSIBLY FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR SOMEONE, IN AN EMERGENCY JUST BEFORE ONE OF THESE FUNCTIONS IS CALLED UPON TO AVOID A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE OCCURS ON SMOOTH ROADS WITHOUT REGARD TO SPEED. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. THE CAR MAY RUN FOR 200 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM, AND THEN AGAIN THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM STARTING OUT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT UNDER ANY ROAD CONDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE DUE TO THE LENSES TURNING A MILKY WHITE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED AND THE ABS BRAKES CYCLED FOR NO REASON CAUSING A GRINDING SOUND TO APPEAR FROM THE TRANSMISSION. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DETERMINING THERE WAS A DEFECT PERTAINING TO THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACT CONTROL MODULE. INFORMATION WAS ALSO FOUND ONLINE REGARDING RECALLS THAT MATCHED VEHICLE'S SYMPTOMS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE ALERTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VIN DID NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

THE "CRADLE" OF THE FRAME OF OUR 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE FAILED BY RUSTING THROUGH. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND IT HAS BEEN WALLOWING ALL OVER THE ROAD, HOPPING SIDEWAYS WHEN I HIT BUMPS, PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN I BRAKED AND ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES STARTED SQUEALING WHEN I WENT AROUND A CORNER. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO CONVINCE MY HUSBAND THAT SOMETHING WAS AMISS WITH IT AND PERHAPS IT NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. HE FINALLY DROVE IT YESTERDAY, REALIZED THERE WAS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG, AND DISCOVERED THE PART OF THE FRAME WHERE THE ENGINE RESTS, AND WHERE THE WHEELS ARE ATTACHED, WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AT A SPOT WELD NEAR WHERE THE TIE ROD IS BOLTED ON. IT'S ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT IT DIDN'T COMPLETELY FAIL AND RESULT IN A INJURIOUS ACCIDENT, OR PERHAPS EVEN DEATH. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED WHEN I PLAY BACK IN MY HEAD, DRIVING ON I-696 IN THE RAIN, IN DETROIT, AT NIGHT, WITH MY FRIENDS COMING HOME FROM A NIGHT AT THE FOX THEATRE, OR WHEN MY SONS AND I WENT OUT FOR MY BIRTHDAY. WOULD I BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR IF THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AT 70 MPH? MY BROTHER WORKS FOR JEFFERY BUICK-NISSAN IN ROSEVILLE, MI. I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IT THIS MORNING. HE SAYS THE FRAME SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN A NINE YEAR OLD CAR. IN FACT, HE SAID THERE WAS ANOTHER 1997 BPA IN HIS SHOP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT A CAR FRAME RUSTING THROUGH, EVER. IN ANY CAR. IT STANDS TO REASON THAT IF THERE ARE TWO 1997 BUICK PARK A

1997 PARK AVENUE HAS DIFFICULTIES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE'S ENGINE BLEW UP AT 89,000 MILES BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED IT TO SEIZE. *TS IN SEVEN YEARS THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY FIVE TIMES. ***NAR***

ON STARTING ENGINE, INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED VIOLENTLY AND ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL 00V117000 CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED BY THE DEALER IN 2002. BUT THE DEALER ONLY CORRECTED ONE OF THE FRONT SEAT BELTS. THE DEALER FAILED TO INFORM THE CONSUMER THAT ONLY ONE OF SEAT BELTS WAS REPAIRED. IN OCTOBER 2005 BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BEGAN TO RETRACT INTERMITTENTLY AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO MAKE ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. *JB UPDATED

FRONT SUB FRAME OF 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE ROTTED AND COLLAPSED. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AXEL ASSEMBLY PULLED OUT OF SOCKET. PICTURES WERE TAKEN AT THE SEEN AND PICTURES AND VIDEO AT THE DEALER NEXT DAY. REAR SUB FRAME APPEARS TO BE FINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE MAIN FRAME OF A $40,000 PLUS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT FAIL IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS? 100,000 MILES. PICTURES SHOW MUCH DETAIL OF ROT. GM 'S BEST OFFER WAS TO REPLACE SUBFRAME PART ONLY. NO LABOR OR OTHER DAMAGE TO BE PAID FOR. PHOTOS AVAILABLE. PLEASE HELP. *NM

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.*AK

DT: THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME AROUND THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2005. THE BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING. THE CONTACT HAD THE REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHT WERE COMING ON. THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION LIGHT, AND A NOISE WERE STILL OCCURRING. NHTSA RECALL 97V064,000 CONCERNING ABS WAS ISSUED. WHEN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING THAT CAME OUT OF IT YET. *AK

DT: 1997 PARK AVENUE BUICK THE SUB FRAME THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE/ ENGINE DRIVE ,AND STEERING WHEELS CORRODED. THERE WAS FAULTY MATERIAL ON THIS SUB FRAME BECAUSE IT ROTTED, ENABLING THE DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM ITS MOUNTING, AND LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, WHICH WAS UNUSUAL TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. MENTIONED HE HAD NEVER SEEN A PARK AVENUE OF THAT YEAR WHERE THE FRAME ROTTED. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $725.00 WITH LABOR AND USED FRAME. *AK

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 *TT

DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, AND WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN. THE FUSE WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL CHARGE THE CONSUMER TO LOOK THE PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED SOMETIMES. THE DEFECT WAS THOUGHT TO BE IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD. *AK BUICK WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT A RECALL WAS SET FOR THE 2001 MAKE/MODEL. *SC *JB

DT: CONSUMER STATED: WHILE BACKING VEHICLE OUT INTO THE STREET, JUST CHANGED THE OIL A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, THE FRAME BROKE RIGHT FROM WHERE THE OIL FILTER WAS. THEN, THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE. NEIGHBOR HEARD A NOISE WHEN IT HAPPENED. *AK

CALLER STATED: TRANSMISSION FAILING. LOCKED UP AND SHOOK THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THERE WAS THE SENSATION OF SOMETHING HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR FROM UNDERNEATH. HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO MOTION, AND INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONSUMER HIT A DEER. THE DUAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT, HOWEVER THE DRIVER SIDE CAUGHT FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB FIRE SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN THE FIRE TRUCK DID ARRIVE FLAMES HAD BURNT THE LEATHER SEAT, MELTED THE STEERING COLUMN AND BURNT THE WINDSHIELD VISOR. *BF *NM

PUSHROD MALFUNCTIONED IN THE ENGINE, CAUSED CAR ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE STALL WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE AUTOMATIC POWER DOOR LOCKED TRAPPING THE DRIVER INSIDE. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *NM *NM

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V117000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A SHOULDER BELT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN, BUT HAD PROBLEMS RETRACTING BACK TO NORMAL POSITION. *AK

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BACK FIRE AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *NM

NO ENGINE FAILURE YET....I AM CONSUMING ALMOST AS MUCH ANTIFREEZE AS I AM GASOLINE. JUST KIDDING, BUT IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES I HAVE USED 11/2 GALLONS OF DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE. I CAN FIND NO LEAKAGE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR, BUT IT SURE IS GOING SOMEWHERE. AM I IN EMINENT DANGER OF ENGINE FAILURE?????*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. *AK

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEM WHICH WAS BEING RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT BECAUSE OF THE VIN CONSUMER WAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED. THERE WAS A STIFFENS WHEN TURNING LEFT AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT 50 MPH OR MORE, GETTING OFF AT AN OFF RAMP, THE STEERING WOULD LOOSEN THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. *SC