1985 Buick Park Avenue Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1985 Buick Park Avenue, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine321.4%
- Fuel system321.4%
- Steering214.3%
- Seat belts17.1%
- Tires & wheels17.1%
- Body & structure17.1%
- Visibility17.1%
- Driver assistance17.1%
- Powertrain (other)17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A TINY NYLON CLIP THAT HOLDS THE TIMING BELT ON. THE CONTACT HAD THE HOSES AND BELTS REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60 MPH THE CAR STALLED. THE CLIP WAS CRACKED AND THE TIMING BELT LOOSENED AND WENT OUT OF TIME AND BLEW THE ROD IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE BECAUSE HE HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPLAINT BEING FILED WAS TO KEEP SOMEONE FROM GETTING HURT OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY NHTSA. *AK
NEW AIR-CONDITIONING INSTALLED IN 1990. CAR NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. AGAING AC NOT WORKING FOR PAST 3 YEARS. CAR GARAGED AND WELL CARED FOR..SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. ONE PERSON DRIVER..MIDDLE AGE LADY.. PAINT IS PEELING OFF ..GM WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT SO SOON.. AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS..FILE IS 3 INCHES THICK OF MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS..
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
NEW AIR-CONDITIONING INSTALLED IN 1990. CAR NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. AGAING AC NOT WORKING FOR PAST 3 YEARS. CAR GARAGED AND WELL CARED FOR..SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. ONE PERSON DRIVER..MIDDLE AGE LADY.. PAINT IS PEELING OFF ..GM WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT SO SOON.. AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS..FILE IS 3 INCHES THICK OF MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS..
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM, WILL NOT TURN WHEN COLD/OR ON INITIAL STARTUP, STIFFNESS IN STEERING LED TO LOOSENESS IN STEERING WHEEL, DUE TO LONG TIME PROBLEM OF TURNING THE WHEEL,THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN MY FAMILY, MY FATHER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, SPECIAL ORDER, TWO DOOR PARK AVE.1985. *AK
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILURE, OCCUPANTS UNABLE TO BUCKLE SEAT BELTS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT FRONT TIRE MOUNTS BROKE CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF RESULTING IN DAMAGE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) MJS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH OUT OF PARKING LOT; HEARD A LOUD OR BIG BOOM SOUND & VEHICLE WENT INTO NEXT LANE; THOUGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD HIT IT; PULLED TO THE SIDE & PARKED; GOT OUT & LOOKED; NOTICED THAT ENGINE & TRANSMISSION ON THE GROUND; HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC & TOW DRIVER SAID IT WAS CROSSMEMBER & THE RACK & PINION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
NEW AIR-CONDITIONING INSTALLED IN 1990. CAR NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. AGAING AC NOT WORKING FOR PAST 3 YEARS. CAR GARAGED AND WELL CARED FOR..SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. ONE PERSON DRIVER..MIDDLE AGE LADY.. PAINT IS PEELING OFF ..GM WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT SO SOON.. AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS..FILE IS 3 INCHES THICK OF MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS..
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE THROTTLE STICKS, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
NEW AIR-CONDITIONING INSTALLED IN 1990. CAR NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. AGAING AC NOT WORKING FOR PAST 3 YEARS. CAR GARAGED AND WELL CARED FOR..SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. ONE PERSON DRIVER..MIDDLE AGE LADY.. PAINT IS PEELING OFF ..GM WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT SO SOON.. AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS..FILE IS 3 INCHES THICK OF MONEY SPENT ON REPAIRS..
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .