2001 Buick Park Avenue

Fatalities reported

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

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

32 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control5
100
Engine5
021
Electrical System5
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer3
000
Steering3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline2
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.

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

20 of 57 complaints, 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.