1991 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 1991 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
- Brakes5955.1%
- Electrical98.4%
- Engine76.5%
- Transmission43.7%
- Body & structure43.7%
- Visibility32.8%
- Driver assistance32.8%
- Interior & seats32.8%
- Exterior lighting32.8%
- Powertrain (other)32.8%
- Steering21.9%
- Airbags21.9%
- Seat belts10.9%
- Other / unspecified10.9%
- Fuel system10.9%
- Tires & wheels10.9%
- Heating & air conditioning10.9%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE TIRE LEANING ALMOST OFF THE AXLE AND FOUND LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. *TC THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. CONSUMER NOTED KEY HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITH OCCUPANT LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT HOME AFTER A TRIP TO THE STORE. FIRE CAUSED VEHICLES DOOR AND WINDOW OPENERS TO FAIL. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN OTHER VEHICLES. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS HAPPENING IN OTHER VEHICLES AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T GET LOCKED IN THEIR VEHICLES WHEN A FIRE STARTS AND KNOCKS OUT THE DOOR OPENERS AND WINDOWS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY HAD MY MOTHER NOT SPOTTED THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE IN TIME.PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
TURNING VEHICLE OFF, CANNOT RESTART RIGHT AWAY. HAPPENING SINCE NEW. PROBLEM CONTINUOUS. POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY (UP/DOWN). TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC SAID SHORT IN ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AND NO STOPPING. RAN INTO CURBING TO STOP AND AVOID CRASH. ABS SENSORS REPLACED, BRAKES, DRUMS, MASTER CYLINDERS, BRAKE LINES, ETC REPLACED. PEDAL STILL GOES TO FLOOR AND ABS GRABS AT END OF STOP. COMPUTER TURNS OFF ABS SYSTEM, BUT WON'T REPORT ERROR CODE OR CAUSE. ALL THIS HAS CAUSED BRAND NEW TIRES TO WEAR DOWN TO STEEL BELT WITHIN 4 MONTHS TIME. LOW BEAMS FAILED BUT STILL HAD HIGHBEAMS. LOW BEAMS COME AND GO. HAD TO BYPASS MODULE IN ORDER TO REGAIN LIGHTS. DT
MOTOR CAM BEARING BROKE, DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MOTOR CAM BEARING BROKE, DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR. *SLC
THE VEHICLE HAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE THAT CAUSED CHAFING ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET. *AK
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
CONCERNED CITIZEN: NEW OWNER JUST PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER A 1991 BUICK PARK AVENUE, WITH 100,000 MILES, VIN [XXX], AND WAS DRIVING THE AUTO WHEN THE MOTOR AND CRADLE FELL TO THE ROAD. THIS IN TURN DETACHED THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE CONTROL OF AUTO WAS LOSS. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BACK LEFT POWER DOOR LOCK FAILED/GEAR WORN OUT.
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
DESIGN FLAW WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER EQUIPMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE VEHICLE'S WIPER DISCONNECTED FROM THE WIPER ARM. THE PLASTIC CLIP WHICH SECURED THE WIPER TO THE ARM RELEASED TOO EASILY. *NM
TURNING VEHICLE OFF, CANNOT RESTART RIGHT AWAY. HAPPENING SINCE NEW. PROBLEM CONTINUOUS. POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY (UP/DOWN). TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC SAID SHORT IN ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS. *AK
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
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TOPPED OUT AT 40 MPH. THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED USING EXCESSIVE FORCE, WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY OPENED UP, REVVING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AGAIN, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE THROTTLE BY THE CONTACT, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. A SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. CONSUMER NOTED KEY HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
SMOKE CAME FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. *AK
LEFT REAR DOOR IS JAMMED IN THE LOCKED POSITION, OCCUPANTS ARE UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THIS DOOR . PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AND NO STOPPING. RAN INTO CURBING TO STOP AND AVOID CRASH. ABS SENSORS REPLACED, BRAKES, DRUMS, MASTER CYLINDERS, BRAKE LINES, ETC REPLACED. PEDAL STILL GOES TO FLOOR AND ABS GRABS AT END OF STOP. COMPUTER TURNS OFF ABS SYSTEM, BUT WON'T REPORT ERROR CODE OR CAUSE. ALL THIS HAS CAUSED BRAND NEW TIRES TO WEAR DOWN TO STEEL BELT WITHIN 4 MONTHS TIME. LOW BEAMS FAILED BUT STILL HAD HIGHBEAMS. LOW BEAMS COME AND GO. HAD TO BYPASS MODULE IN ORDER TO REGAIN LIGHTS. DT
LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE DUE TO A BURNT WIRE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
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
LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE DUE TO A BURNT WIRE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
ODOMETER FRAUD.
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
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING. FIXED THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AT THE GARAGE. *AK
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER HIT A DEER HEAD-ON. BOTH AIRBAG'S EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *AK *YC
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION.
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
SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN BELT IS LOCKED IN PLACE IT WILL RELEASE ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE TIRE LEANING ALMOST OFF THE AXLE AND FOUND LUG NUTS WERE MISSING. *TC THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
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
WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED THE GAS LINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THERE WAS NO LEAK OR SMELL IT JUST FELL. TT
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
CV BOOT BROKE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONING AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT WORKS NORMALLY UNTIL THE DESIRED TEMPERATURE IS REACHED. THEN THE COLD AIR STOPS COMING OUT OF THE DASH VENTS AND IS DIVERTED TO THE FLOOR AND WINDSHIELD WHICH IMMEDIATELY FROSTS THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSE POOR VISABILITY.
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 .