Owners filed 140 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine › gasoline. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
06000060,000 milesMedian miles at failure
59 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,000–50,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
14
0
6
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
9
0
1
0
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
7
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
6
0
2
0
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
6
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
5
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
5
1
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
5
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
0
0
0
Seat Belts
4
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery04V090000
Filed Feb 24, 2004910,873 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
Risk. THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum99V238000
Filed Aug 27, 1999988 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE.
Risk. IF THESE NUTS ARE LOOSE, THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE LOW, THE ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE, AND IF THE NUTS BACK COMPLETELY OFF, BRAKING MAY BE LOST. ALSO FUME AND WATER INTRUSION TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN OCCUR.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc99V081000
Filed Apr 14, 199938 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR, BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET ON EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
Risk. A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION CAN PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING A BRAKING MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE INCREASED.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT BRAKE PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT ROTORS, CALIPER ASSEMBLIES, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKETS.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 29, 2019176,000 milesTX
STALL WHILE DRIVING
Seat Belts
Filed Mar 19, 2019184,630 milesKS
PASSENGER FRONT SEATBELT WON'T CLICK SHUT. DEALER CAN'T FIND ONE.
Structure › Body
Filed Jan 5, 201993,584 milesIL
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.
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 30, 2018152,000 milesFL
TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND FAILED TO BRAKE. 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. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Seat Belts
Filed Jun 2, 2018190,000 milesKS
PASSENGER SEAT BELT NOT CLICKING.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 12, 201662,000 milesPA
PERIODICALLY THE ENGINE WILL STOP. THIS WILL GENERALLY OCCUR WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER. WHEN IT OCCURS IN TRAFFIC OR ON A CURVE THIS IS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS. IT WILL RESTART BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE IGNITION. IT WILL OCCUR ANYWHERE, WHILE TURNING OR DRIVING STRAIGHT. THIS HAS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 1, 201531,766 milesFL
1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC MANIFOLDS AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR TWO ENGINE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 28, 2003, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING AND AGAIN ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014. THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH TIMES, THE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ UPDATED 03/7/16.*JB UPDATED 11/01/2017*CN
Engine
Filed Apr 12, 2015IL
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT STARTED TO MISFIRE. I PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND GOT A FEW DIFFERENT CODES P1406 AND P0300 GOT THOSE FIXED IT WORKED FINE. A WEEK LATER THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. IT SAT UP FOR A FEW WEEKS AND WHEN I WOULD DRIVE IT I SMELLED GAS FUMES. NOW IT WON'T TURN AND THERE'S STILL A SMELL OF FUEL. *TR
EngineFire
Filed Mar 5, 2015155,000 milesKS
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. *TR
Engine
Filed Dec 27, 201465,000 milesCA
SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE. I OWN A 99 BUICK PARK AVENUE ULTRA THAT HAS ABOUT 65,000 MILES ON IT AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR IS ONLY UTILIZED ABOUT 6 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR SINCE WE ARE SNOW BIRDS HAVING RETURNED FROM THE EAST 2 MONTHS AGO. LAST EVENING AS I DROVE NORTH AND UP ONE OF THE LONG HILLS ON THE TOLL RD 73 IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA I EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS ETC STAYED ON AND APPEARED NORMAL. FORTUNATELY THE TRAFFIC WAS SUCH THAT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOP AND TURN ON MY HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS. I SAT FOR A MOMENT AND THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE CRANKING APPEARED NORMAL AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED AND THE ENGINE PARAMETERS, TEMPERATURE, VOLTS, ETC APPEARED NORMAL. I WAS SURPRISED TO SAY LEAST BUT WE DECIDED TO START MOVING AGAIN AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE PRETTY MUCH AT NORMAL SPEEDS WITHOUT A HICCUP THE 20 MILES LEFT TO GET HOME STAYING IN THE RH LANES FOR THE MOST PART. GETTING BACK INTO THE FAST MOVING STREAM OF TRAFFIC WAS SOMEWHAT HAZARDOUS IN AND OF ITSELF. PRIOR TO THIS SUDDEN FAILURE THERE WAS NO WARNING OR CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE. THE ONLY CAVEAT TO THAT IS THAT IT SEEMS LATELY THERE HAS BEEN A MINOR BUT NOTICEABLE SAG OR HESITATION WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN DRIVE AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 2, 2013126,046 milesVA
I WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON US 495 IN SECOND LANE FROM RIGHT GETTING READY TO EXIT TO ROUTE 7 AND TRAVEL WEST TOWARDS LEESBURG WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE ENGINE WAS RACING. I TRIED EVERYTHING TO AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC AND STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE CAR WHILE TURNING THE AUTO TO THE ADJACENT LANE. THIS INCLUDES SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL AND PARK, APPLYING BRAKES, APPLYING EMERGENCY BRAKES AND FINALLY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THE AUTO MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WITH LITTLE CONTROL OF STEERING. I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR TO GET AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. AUTO STARTED UP AGAIN BUT ENGINE NO LONGER RACED. I SHIFTED INTO THIRD AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY ABOUT 6 MILES AWAY IN A NORMAL MANNER.ITS BEEN A GREAT CAR, AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. *JS
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Jul 27, 2013105,214 milesOH
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. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Apr 18, 2013101,200 milesGA
WHEN I TURNED ON THE LEFT TURN, THE LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD STOPPED BLINKING AND STAYED ON, EVEN WHEN THE SWITCH WAS IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. RIGHT-TURN WORKED FINE. THE NEXT DAY I COULD NOT START MY CAR, THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I WAS LATE FOR AN IMPORTANT MEETING. LATER I FOUND OUT THAT WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR CONTINUED TO BURN, AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE BATTERY DISCHARGE. I STARTED RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE FACED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. YOU CAN CHECK GOOGLE ASKING 'SIGNAL FLASHER PROBLEM BUICK PARK AVENUE 1999' , 'LEFT TURN ALWAYS ON BUICK PARK AVENUE 1999' ETC. ACCORDING MY ESTIMATION, AT LEAST THOUSAND PEOPLE MET THIS PROBLEM THE CULPRIT IS 'TURN SIGNAL HAZARD FLASHER UNIT'. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS UNIT HAS A BUILT FACTORY DEFECTS AND IT IS DANGEROUS, THIS UNIT UNNECESSARILY MISLEADS OTHER DRIVERS, AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HAZARD FLASHING. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS UNIT AT ALL BUICK PARK AVENUE 1997-2005. FACTORY DEFECT IS OBVIOUS AND THE BUYER DOES NOT HAVE TO SUFFER BECAUSE OF THE SHORTCOMINGS OF ENGINEERS. PLEASE REPLACE MY TURN SIGNAL HAZARD FLASHER UNIT FOR FREE. *TR
Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Sep 11, 201285,000 milesMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE EXPLODED, CAUSING MASSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THEY USED AFTER MARKET PARTS, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES OR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Mar 30, 201199,000 milesNY
I OWN A 1999 BUICK PK AVE. ON FEB 27, 2011 I HAD TO MOVE VEHICLE TO PLOW SNOW. LOW BATTERY, ATTACH BOOSTER PACK AND TRIED TO START AGAIN. THERE WAS A LOUD BACKFIRE. APPARENTLY THE PLENUM HAD BURST KNOCKING OFF FUEL LINE AND I FOUND MY VEHICLE TO BE ON FIRE. AFTER PUTTING OUT FIRE I CONTACTED MY INS CO, WHO ADVISED ME THAT THIS DAMAGE WAS AN EXACT DESCRIPTION OF A GM RECALL-TSB#03054B- AND I SHOULD CONTACT THEM. GM ADVISED ME THAT THE RECALL WAS DONE PREVIOUSLY. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF THE SUPPOSED REPAIR WAS ACTUALLY DONE AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT ALSO FAULTY. I FEEL GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. I HAVE SAVED ALL PARTS AND AM REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER. ANOTHER VEHICLE IN MY SAME AREA ALSO HAS THE SAME CONDITION AND FIRE - HIS CAR WAS BURNT UP. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG AND I AM HOPING THERE WILL BE ANOTHER INVESTIGATION. EITHER IN THE REPAIR PARTS IF USED OR THE DEALERSHIPS REPAIR HABITS CONFIRMING THAT NO FRAUD WAS COMMITTED BY SAID DEALERSHIP. *TR
Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Mar 18, 2011100,000 milesMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT BACKFIRED AND A FIRE STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THROWING SNOW ON THE MOTOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WA FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP WHO ADVISED THAT THE DELPHI PRESSURE REGULATOR HAD LEAKED GAS ONTO THE MOTOR AND AS THE KEY WAS TURNED, IT STARTED A SPARK. THE VEHICLE THEN BACKFIRED CAUSING THE FIRE TO ERUPT UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY) BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH HIM WITHIN SEVEN TO TEN DAYS. THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY WAS HANDLING THE BODY DAMAGES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN
Steering
Filed Nov 16, 201062,000 milesTX
STEERING CONSISTENTLY VIBRATES AT LOW SPEED AND PARKING SPEEDS CONCERN FOR LOSS OF STEERING AT HIGHER SPEEDS TSB 990232007 NHTSA 608376 REPAIRED BY TSB DIRECTION ON 11-16-2010 BECAUSE OF GREATER EXPENSE OF HOSES AND LABOR FOR REPAIR, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jul 16, 2009HI
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, HE SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONTO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,281.
Steering
Filed Jul 11, 2009134,000 milesNC
MY WIFE CAME HOME AND STATED THIS CAR WAS DRIVING WOBBLY AND MAKING A NOISE.I INSPECTED VEHICEL AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING. VEHICLE STEERING RACK SEPERATED FROM CRADLE..FIRST NOTICED LOUD NOISE WHEN STEERING ROTATED LOCK TO LOCK..VISUAL INSPECTION COULD SEE TIE ROD CONTACTING RIGHT SIDE UNIBODY RAIL...CLOSER INSPECTION FOUND CASTING OR RACK HOUSING CRACKED AND SEPERATED FROM IT'S MOUNTING POINT ON RIGHT SIDE..THIS ALLOWED STEERING RACK TO LIFT UP AND BIND AGAINST RIGHT RAIL OR VEHICLE INNER STRUCTURE...LOSS OF STEERING AND CONTROL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STEER VEHICLE.
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed May 3, 2009164,376 milesTX
1999 BUICK PARK AVE V6=3800 3 8L SHOT FIRE APX. 6 FEET PER FIREMEN ON DUTY THAT WITNESSED THIS. THE MOTOR SHOOK. UPPER INTAKE, INTAKE SET, VALVE COVER SET, PCV, OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, BOTH CONVERTERS AND STILL NOT FIXED. *TR
A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Feb 24, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.