1999 Buick Park Avenue: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 140 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks 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 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2018
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2015
“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”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2013
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2012
“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”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2009
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2009
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2009
“Electric door locks on front and rear passenger side do not function and doors cannot be opened with either remote, key or from inside or outside. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT BRAKE PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT ROTORS, CALIPER ASSEMBLIES, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 1999 Buick Park Avenue reliable?
NHTSA has 140 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Buick Park Avenue. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Buick Park Avenue problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,490 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Buick Park Avenue have open recalls?
3 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.