1997 Buick Park Avenue: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 219 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (23% of complaints); the 1995 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 219 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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!”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2015
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine · May 2013
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2012
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2011
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2010
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2010
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2008
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.
How other years compare
Check your exact Park Avenue by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Buick Park Avenue reliable?
NHTSA has 219 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue. The most complained-about area is seat belts (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Park Avenue problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 91,525 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Buick Park Avenue have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:mid/rear assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.