2001 Buick Park Avenue

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 57 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Buick Park Avenue years to avoid. Which Buick Park Avenue years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
66,469 milesMedian miles at failure

32 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000–200,000 miles.

Most common 2001 Buick Park Avenue problems

10 of the 57 complaints (18%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration5
100
Engine5
021
Electrical System5
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer3
000
Steering3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine3
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system2
020
Wheels › Rim1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock02V328000
Filed Dec 9, 200243,980 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE MAY BE INSTALLED OR FORCED OUT OF THE PROPER POSITION.

Risk. IF THE CABLE IS OUT OF THE PROPER POSITION, IT COULD INCREASE THE FORCE REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE AND A PERSON TRAPPED IN THE TRUNK MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE THE TRUNK LATCH USING THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL SECURE THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE CABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE OPERATES PROPERLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer00V346000
Filed Oct 30, 200035,302 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A WIPER SYSTEM MICROPROCESSOR THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO VOLTAGE TRANSIENTS, WHICH CAN CAUSE A "LATCH-UP" CONDITION IN THE SYSTEM CONTROLLER.

Risk. IF MICROPROCESSOR "LATCH-UP" OCCURS, THE CUSTOMER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPERATE THE SYSTEM IN BOTH THE LOWER AND HIGH-SPEED MODES REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER WHICH CONTAINS THE MICROPROCESSOR.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Feb 18, 2026200,000 milesTN

The contact owns a 2001 Buick Park Avenue. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the hood exploded and caught on fire. The fire was extinguished with 3 buckets of water. There was no property damage. It was unknown whether warning lights illuminated after the failure. There was no injury sustained; however, the contact stated that the incident was traumatic. The vehicle remained at the contact's residence, pending evaluation. No police report was filed. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Apr 19, 20211,245 milesCA

THE MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE EVERYTHING IN THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ORLANDO STREET FRESNO CA 93706.

Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2020114,000 milesTN

UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED INTO AT LEAST 10 PIECES DURING START UP. STATIONARY . HAD NOT BEEN STARTED FOR TWO DAYS. IN DRIVEWAY.

EngineFire1 injured
Filed Apr 17, 2019161,985 milesMN

THE INTAKE PLENIUM EXPLODED AND STARTED A FIRE

EngineFire
Filed Dec 20, 2016100,000 milesIA

OUR 2001 BUICK HAS HAD A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IT IS THE SAME CAUSE AS THIS RECALL- [XXX] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -CLOSE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES , 1 RECALL(S) DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: OCT 22, 2002 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: MAR 09, 2004 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA02030 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 19, 20156,000 milesGA

ANY TIME THE THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED THE GAS NEEDLE GOES ON THE WRONG SIDE AND WILL NOT COME BACK IN PLACE UNTIL THE DASH IS REMOVED AND THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP AND THIS COST.

Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2015135,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKINF ON THE GROUND. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO, THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT LEAKED ONTO THE MANIFOLD, WHICH CAUSED THE ABNORMAL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2014156,270 milesMN

A 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE WAS PURCHASED ON APRIL 27, 2014. IT RAN GOOD UNTIL SEPTEMBER 19, 2014. ON THAT DAY MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER ON A SIDE ROAD. HE WAS ABLE TO START IT AFTER HAVING TO PULL OVER WITH NO LIGHTS, POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. I TOOK IT FOR A TEST RIDE AND IT DID THE SAME THING. WE GOT IT HOME AND FAILED TO REPAIR IT BY OURSELVES. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR GARAGE AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE MAF SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME HOW TO TAP ON THE ENCLOSURE (WITH A SCREWDRIVER) WHICH HOUSED THE PART AND THE ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER AND MISS. AFTER INSTALLING A NEW MAF SENSOR IT NOW RUNS FINE. WE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE HISTORY AND IT NEEDED A NEW MAF SENSOR TWO OTHER TIMES. ONCE AT 9/2013 AND ANOTHER AT 6/2012. IT IS SURPRISING AND SHOCKING THAT THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. A BRAND NEW MAF SENSOR FROM THE BUICK DEALER COSTS $430 WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY GEARED TOWARDS SELLING TO REPAIR SHOPS VS. DO IT YOURSELF MECHANICS. THIS RIDICULOUS HIGH PRICE HAS CREATED A MARKET FOR CHEAPER MAF SENSORS WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE OEM PARTS. THE PART REMOVED WAS A DELPHI SENSOR WHICH ONLY LASTED ONE YEAR. GM HAS GOT TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM. IT IS PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK. SIMPLY BUYING AN AUTHENTIC GM PART IS NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE IT STILL EVENTUALLY FAILS AND THE CAR TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Air BagsCrash1 killed
Filed Nov 5, 2014PA

MY DAUGHTER HAD A HEAD ON ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN OUR 2001 BUICK PARK AVE. SHE DIED FROM HER INJURIES. SHE WAS 17 YEARS OLD. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 17, 2014150,000 milesKY

DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT WRECKING (LUCKILY), IT WOULD NOT RESTART, WE HAD THE CAR TOWED. THE CODE READER INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. IF YOU CLEAR THE CODES, OR DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, THE CAR WILL START. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. MY DAUGHTER HAS LEARNED HOW TO CLEAR CODES WITH A CODE READER, BUT THIS IS UNSAFE. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NOT HAD A RECALL ON THIS, BUT IT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE OTHER IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS ON THE OTHER GM VEHICLES. THEY NEED TO BE RECALLED!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 19, 2014176,000 milesMN

ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED AROUND 50-65 MILES PER HOUR MY CAR WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. I WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON A MAJOR FREEWAY AND HAD TO PULL OVER AS CARS WOULD JUST DRIVE BY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR OR FASTER. I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IF I OR MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED I AM SURE GM WOULD ADD MORE CARS TO THE RECALL. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A TRAGIC INCIDENT TO HAPPEN. I TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IS WAS THE IGNITION ISSUE DUE TO THE PK3 SECURITY SYSTEM GM HAS ON THIS CAR. *TR

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Mar 28, 2014165,000 milesMN

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR AFTER THE IGNITION WAS CRANKED FOR LESS THAN ONE SECOND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITHIN A MINUTE DUE TO ACCESS OF A NEARBY FIRE EXTINGUISHER. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD EXPLODED OFF OF THE ENGINE AND THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGE TO WIRING AND HOSES. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 5 DEGREES F. IT IS A GOOD THING I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM MY AGING PARENTS. *TR

Visibility
Filed Mar 1, 201140,000 milesMN

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON THE VEHICLE BECOME FOGGED OVER SO BADLY THAT YOU CANNOT SEE THE ROAD VERY CLEARLY AT NIGHT. THIS IS DUE TO THE AUTO MAKERS USING PLASTIC FOR THE LENS COVER INSTEAD OF USING GLASS ON THE ASSEMBLIES, IF THEY USED GLASS THERE WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 9, 201086,743 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 70 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE IT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER 70 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLES HEAD LIGHTS, HIGH BEAMS AND THE FUEL GAUGE GAVE AN INCORRECT READING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL THE GAUGE DISPLAYED FULL AND WHEN THERE WAS NO FUEL IT ALSO DISPLAYED FULL. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86743 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,651. UPDATED 3/7/11 *CN UPDATED 04/29/11

Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2010DC

2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. CONSUMER REQUEST ANY RECALLS ON VEHICLE WITH STEERING PROBLEMS. *TGW

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 20, 200955,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING TO 80 MPH AND ABOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED ALSO INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SOME RESISTANCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,365.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 31, 2008170,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE, BUT THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE INJURIES IF IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 4, 2008KS

2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE CUTS OUT WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER STATES THAT EVERYTHING WAS TESTED AND WAS FOUND TO BE NORMAL. DEALER STATED THAT HE WAS PROBABLY PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR DOWN TO FAST. *KB

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 23, 2008TN

NUMEROUS SAFETY AND NON SAFETY PROBLEM'S WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT HAS BEEN NEW. GM REFUSED TO FURTHER WORK ON THIS VEHICLE SAYING (WITH A 7 YEAR, 100,000 MILE FULLY PAID HIGHEST LEVEL EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM THE SELLING DEALER) AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES THAT THERE WERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NO LONGER WORK ON THE VEHICLE, AND DID NOT. NEITHER THE DEALER OR GM RESPONDED AT ALL TO A BBB COMPLAINT. CONTACTS WITH GM ITSELF WERE TOTALLY FRUITLESS WITH A PERCEIVED ATTITUDE OF "WHO CARES" ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WE MANUFACTURED, SINCE YOU PAID FOR IT IN FULL. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUS OVER THE 7 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP WITH NO SATISFACTION FROM GM. THEREFORE, THIS REPORT IS NOT ON ONE SPECIFIC PROBLEM, BUT MANY, MANY PROBLEMS OVER A SEVEN YEAR TIMEFRAME, THE LEAST OF WHICH I BELIEVE ARE PLAIN OUTRIGHT FRAUD! *TR

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed Dec 31, 2007MN

LEFT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT DISENGAGE ONCE TURN IS COMPLETED. THE TURN SIGNAL STAYS ON, EVEN AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE; RESULTING IN DRAINING THE BATTERY DEAD. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 12, 200776,000 milesAR

DURING A TRIP FROM NEW MEXICO TO ARKANSAS, I WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. SUDDENLY THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ZOOM. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES. ONE TIME I WAS IN A PLACE TO SEE HOW FAR IT WOULD GO. FROM A SPEED OF 65, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 90 MILES PER HOUR. IT DISCONNECTED WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING ON THIS TRIP, AFTER DISCONNECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY RECONNECTED WITH OUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. I FEEL THAT THESE TYPE UNCOMMANDED INPUTS ARE DANGEROUS AND ASK FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO SEE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Oct 15, 200785,000 milesMI

MAJOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH ONLY 85,000 MILES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 20, 200730,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING, "AIR BAG, SECURITY, AND SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" SENSOR LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON - AIR CONDITIONER QUITS WORKING, WINDOWS WON'T ROLL DOWN, AND DOORS DON'T UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS STOPPED AND PUT IN "PARK"...HEADS-UP DISPLAY SHOWS "CHECK GAUGES" WARNING...GAUGES READINGS - BATTERY STATE????, COOLANT TEMP ????, OIL PRESSURE ????, OIL LIFE INDEX ????...LIGHT SHOWING WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN GOES OUT. I'VE HAD VEHICLE TO DEALER 8 TIMES IN PAST YR. AND ISSUED 2 COMPLAINTS WITH BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO RESOLUTION. CHECKED BY 2 DEALERS - PROBLEM GOING ON FOR OVER 3 YRS. AND GETTING WORSE. DEALER HAS CONTACTED TECH SUPPORT AT BUICK BUT THEY CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM EITHER. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 2006TN

I HAVEN'T HAD AN EARTH SHATTERING EVENT YET BUT MY PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL SO ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS . DURING NORMAL OPERATION EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL SHUTS DOWN(HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS,DASHBOARD LIGHTS,RADIO ETC.). THE CAR WILL THEN JERK AS IF IT HAS STALLED, THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THEN GO BACK OFF AND THE CAR RESUMES RUNNING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE GIVES NO CODE WHILE HOOKED TO A DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIX IT UNTIL "SOMETHING BREAKS. *NM

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Aug 30, 200663,000 milesIN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH AND MAKING TURNS THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED IN MOTION AND SOUND. THERE WAS ALSO DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH DIRECTED THAT THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE AND A POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE TO BE REPLACE. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT THERE HAD BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSE BY WAY THE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURER WHICH ALLOWED FOR THE HOSES TO SOFTEN CREATING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WEAR AND TEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIR.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 25, 200635,769 milesCT

TRANSMISSION FAILED IN CONSUMER'S 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. *KB *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 21, 2006OK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLANETARY GEARS OF THE TRANSMISSION ARE GOING OUT AND THE CONTACT FEELS THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THIS EARLY WITH THE VEHICLES AND THAT IT IS A DEFECT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 25, 200664,400 milesMA

LEAKING PLASTIC UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD DO TO POOR DESIGN. *NM

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Aug 22, 2005NM

VEHICLE TO WHICH THIS REPORT REFERS IS A 2001 BUICK, PARK AVENUE ULTRA, 4 DOOR, SEDAN. THE VIN # IS [XXX], WITH 20,724 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED A SLIGHT SEPARATION IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH. SINCE IT DID NOT POSE AN IMMEDIATE DANGER I TOOK NO ACTION TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THIS MONTH THE BELT BECAME INOPERATIVE, CAME APART, AND I HAD IT REPLACED. THIS COULD POSE A REAL DANGER TO THE DRIVER IF THE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE FAILED PART IS AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Aug 9, 200533,939 milesFL

DT: 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON JULY 14, 2005. THEY FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD HAD GONE BAD. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 33,939 MILES ON IT. THE CONSUMER DECIDED TO HAVE BOTH TIE RODS FIXED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. *AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Aug 1, 200545,000 milesNY

CHROME ON WHEELS DETERIORATES AND LETS AIR ESCAPE FROM TIRES CAUSING TIRES TO RUN HOT AND GO FLAT. CAUSED WHEEL TO BLOW OUT WHEN HIT POT HOLE AND WHEN TO SIDE OF ROAD. CHROME SEPARATIONS CANNOT BE SEALED BY TIRE DEALERSHIP. *JB

Steering
Filed May 27, 2005110,000 milesCA

DT: CONSUMER WAS STEERING WHEN THE STEERING RACK BROKE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS RACK BREAKING. SHE WAS PULLING INTO HER DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STEERING RACK BROKE. *TT

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jan 3, 200566,469 milesVA

VIN, [XXX] BUICK 2001 PARK AVENUE DEALER: PERFORMANCE BUICK - PONTIAC 4033 PORTSMOUTH BLVD CHESAPEAKE, VA 23321-9249 PH: (757) 488-3500 E-MAIL: WWW.PERFORMANCEBUICK.COM CUSTOMER NO: [XXX] INVOICE NO.: [XXX] REPAIR: REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK, POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE AND ALIGN. COMPLAINT: THE AUTOMOBILE, A 2001 PARK AVENUE, WITH A MILEAGE OF 66,469 MILES STEERING SYSTEM HAD TO HAVE THE REPAIR AS LISTED ABOVE. AS A BUICK OWNER SINCE 1987, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF REPAIRS ON ANY OF THE PREVIOUS FAMILY LUXURY CARS (ELECTRA & PARK AVENUES) WITHOUT BEEN COVER UNDER FACTORY WARRANT. WITH A TOTAL REPAIR PRICE OF $1235.23 FOR LABOR ($276.00) AND PARTS ($959.23), I NEED A VERY CLEAR EXPLANATION AND/OR A REFUND FOR SUCH REPAIRS FOR A BUICK PARK AVENUE WITH LOW MILEAGE. QUESTION: IN THE FUTURE, WILL MY FAMILY AND I BE SUBJECTED WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM AND REPAIRS EVERY 66,000 MILES OR LESS? IF SO, PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY OTHER PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT DEVELOPE FROM YOUR MAGNETIC STEERING SYSTEM. PLEASE REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System
Filed Oct 23, 200447,979 milesIA

CAR FAILED TO START PROPERLY AND DEALER INDICATED THE "FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IS LEAKING". THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM SOLVED, BUT I WAS CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE. A RECALL HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE SAME CAR (BUICK PARK AVENUE) MODEL FOR FACTOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FOR OTHER CARS BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR (2000). WAS TOLD I MUST FILE A COMPLAINT IF I EXPECTED TO HAVE THE SERVICE PAID BY A RECALL.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 20, 200427,000 milesFL

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HIT A TRACTOR TRAILER. *AK *SC *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 31, 200424,200 milesNY

ON A RECENT TRIP TO DELAWARE, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SET OR RESUME SPEED, THE SPEED INCREASED RAPIDLY UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MANUALLY DISABLED. MY VEHICLE IS A 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. GM SERVICE BULLETINS 120901 AND 030604056 DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM BUT DO NOT CLASSIFY IT AS A SAFETY DEFECT. I BELIEVE THE INCIDENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS HAD WE NOT REACTED QUICKLY.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 11, 200427,990 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FIVE MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *MR *SC *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jan 22, 200451,939 milesCO

DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION. *PH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. *TT 8JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Rear WindowFire
Filed Jan 9, 200435,694 milesNY

A SHORT IN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER CAUSED A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.*AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Jan 2, 2004NY

THE SIDE TERMINAL CAME OFF THE BATTERY WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DRIVER WAS CONCERNED THAT TERMINAL WOULD COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Dec 26, 200368,500 milesMI

WAS DRIVING ON A HEAVILY CONGESTED ROAD, WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE WENT OUT. ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE AS I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME MANEUVERING THE CAR. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST GM SERVICE DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO BE BAD AND MARKED THE VEHICLE AS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE." THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A DIFFERENT GM DEALER THAT SERVICES BUICK WAS WAITING TO BE FIXED. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Jul 30, 2003KY

CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY JUMPS FOR 55MPH TO 90MPH, AND CONSUMER MOST APPLY THE BRAKES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Power Train
Filed Jan 10, 2003OH

CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK IT ROLLED BACKWARDS.*JB

Steering
Filed Dec 5, 2002IN

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM LIGHT APPEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.TS

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 26, 2002KY

THE VEHICLE SHIFTS HARD IN GEAR AFTER THE INITIAL START UP. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND CHECKED AT THE PARENT COMPANY. THE TRANSMISSION WENT THROUGH SEVERAL TESTS BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. SINCE THAT TIME, THE SOLENOID AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. AGAIN, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE TWO HARD JERKS AND WOULD BARELY MOVE. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT WILL HIT HARD TWICE AND GO BACKWARDS, WHEN PUTTING IT IN FORWARD GEAR IT WILL TAKE OFF SLOWLY. AFTER TRAVELING FOR A WHILE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK ONCE THE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF FOR AN HOUR OR SO, THE PROBLEM WILL RECTIFY ITSELF UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS DRIVIN 15-20 MILES, THEN THE SAME PROCESS OCCURS ALL OVER. *JG

Structure › Body › Trunk Lid2 injured
Filed Sep 1, 2002NJ

1. WHEN CAR IS PARKED ON INCLINE, TRUNK LID FELL DOWN AND INJURED ME AND MY HUSBAND.2. THE HORN PLACENMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL IS SUCH THAT THE BUTTON CANNOT BE FOUND WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED. PEVIOUSLY HAD A CHRYSLER WITH THE SAME DANGEROUS DESIGN.

Visibility › Windshield
Filed May 1, 2002NJ

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SLOPE OF THE WINDSHIELD IS SUCH THAT WHEN DRIVING WITH THE SUN SHINING ON THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD COWLING, THE DRIVER SEES A REFLECTION OF THE COWLING IN HIS VIEW OF THE ROAD, THE DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. *SLC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 8, 2002CA

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ENGINE STALLED, LOST ALL POWER. ONCE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AGAIN IT IDLED ROUGHLY AND WOULD ONLY STAY RUNNING WITH FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HAD IT REPAIRED. *AK *JG

Steering › Column
Filed Jan 28, 2002VA

WHEN TILT STEERING WHEEL IS IN THE UP POSITION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A SHARP TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION DUE TO STEERING WHEEL RUBBING ON DASH. DEALER HAS REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, LINES, AND RACK AND PINION. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. UPON DISCOVERY OF THE BINDING AGAINST THE DASH, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *JG *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Sep 7, 2001NY

VEHICLE WOULD MAKE WEIRD NOISES; FIRST TIME WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURN, WAS GRINDING AND THEN STOPPING. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO JERK FORWARD. THEN, A THUMPING NOISE BEFORE SUDDENLY ACCELERATING. HAD HAPPENED EVERY FEW YARDS. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING AFTER TEST DRIVING. SECOND WAS IN PARKING LOT AND BACKING OUT WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A POLE. HAD SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, AND IT ACCELERATED FORWARD AND HIT A BUILDING. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHEELS WERE SPINNING LIKE CRAZY.*AK

Complaints 1-50 of 57, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20058000Routine
200412020Routine
200333100Routine
200232140Routine
2001 — this page57261Fatalities reported
200081370Routine
19991403220High concern
19982462290High concern
19972193210High concern
199659341Fatalities reported
1995117130Routine
199448030Routine
1993641100Routine
199277120Routine
199192160Routine
199012100Routine

Compare every Park Avenue year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: Dec 9, 2002. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.