1998 Buick Park Avenue: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 246 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (36% of complaints); the 1996 and 1999 and 2000 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 246 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Takata recall. Received post card for airbag recall. I called the 888 number & went on the internet as directed. No one can identify my vehicle. That's the problem. Call doris at 1-575-208-0154 where do I go for this recall live in roswell, new mexico I'm afraid something terrible will happen.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick park avenue. The contact stated that the driver and front passenger side seat belts were not properly retracting and detracting. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00v117000 (seat belts). The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick park avenue. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The check engine light illuminated as the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and the fuel pump was replaced however, the repair did not remedy the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000 and the current mileage was 128,000. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick park avenue. The contact was driving approximately 1 mph in a parking lot when the heater and rear defroster was engaged. The contact then smelled a burning odor from inside the vehicle and noticed small flames emitting from the rear driver's side window panel. The engine was turned off and the fire was extinguished. The fire department arrived and disconnected the defroster wires. The vehicle was driven from the scene and was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2012
“Fuel pressure is incorrect, stalling, high and low rpms, at stop sign, including and not limited to start, driving, etc. Please help!. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2011
“Loss of coolant internally to combustion/compression chambers, hydro locked engine, thick smoke from engine exhaust, coolant mixing into oil, unstable temperature requiring vehicle stoppage to avoid overheating/fire, car will not run. Intake manifold failure and head gasket damage. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2011
“So there has been many time were m car doors have went out and when I say out I mean to the point where I can only open from the inside now I have gone out and paid to have them fixed now I at the point where I feel something else is up. I am down to one door and that is a back one so you see the problem. *tt”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2011
“Upon starting the vehicle there was a loud backfire and visible smoke came out from under the hood. Further investigation showed that the plastic intake manifold was blown apart. There was a strong odor of raw fuel. I contacted a local buick dealership and was told that there were no open campaigns concerning this vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to a repair facility and have been told that the repair will cost in the range of $2000 - $2500 dollars.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2011
“While driving on a four lane highway, I applied the brakes and the car pulled violently to the left. Being only a few blocks from my repair shop, I slowly drove there. The mechanic took the car back on the road and when braked, pulled more violently to the left. Upon inspection the frame, engine cradle section, had broken. In 30 years, the mechanic had never seen this happen. The car has only 65,000 miles and even though it is a 1998 buick park avenue it was in good shape. Updated 10/05/10 *bf pictures received. Updated 10/07/10 updated 101810 *bf updated ivoq 10/21/10*jb *tr”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2010
“Car overheated, engine began to run rough,I put it in neutral and coasted to a stop off of the roadway, engine locked up. Had it towed to buick shop, was told that coolant had gotten into the engine. Needed to replace upper and lower intake manifolds and gaskets, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs and change engine oil and filter. Flush cooling system. Reset temperature gauge and test car. Cost about $1800. 81000 miles on the car. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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 1998 Buick Park Avenue reliable?
NHTSA has 246 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Buick Park Avenue. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Buick Park Avenue problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,171 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Buick Park Avenue have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery. 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.