RoadVitals

1996 Buick Park Avenue

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
59
Latest May 24, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jul 1, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
7 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 59 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Buick Park Avenue, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 44 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1015.4%
  • Engine913.8%
  • Electrical913.8%
  • Brakes710.8%
  • Fuel system57.7%
  • Visibility46.2%
  • Tires & wheels46.2%
  • Interior & seats34.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
96V116000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Jul 1, 1996
275,811 units potentially affected
The defect: A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
96V044000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Mar 5, 1996
15,122 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE INCORRECT SAFETY BELT AND/OR SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ENDS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN INCORRECT PART IS USED, THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
95V204000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

Oct 23, 1995
32,869 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ03001ClosedRecall Query

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

Opened Jan 2, 2003
Closed Sep 15, 2003

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

STEERING
EA02030ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Oct 22, 2002
Closed Mar 9, 2004

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERYLed to recall 04V090000
PE02050ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Jun 13, 2002
Closed Oct 22, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 59
Filed May 24, 2021

Sub-frame rust is severe where 2 at front of the engine mounting bushings all have rust, but the worst are the ones supporting the transmission -under the transmission, 2 have almost no metal frame and engine/transmission could drop down, as seen on some of the You tube videos. Inspected and find the engine appears to have dropped some... there is a gap where the steering wheel cover connects to the drive. This is a self inspection after replacing the stabilizing bar end link, had to be replaced.

NHTSA ID
11418321
Incident
Apr 21, 2021
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2016

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME DOESN'T WORK. THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME USUALLY DOESN'T WORK. THE MALL MODULE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE CAUSE BY A LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP. THIS SAME ISSUE IS A RECALL ON SOME OF THIS MODEL AND MAKE OF CAR, BUT NOT CURRENTLY ON THIS VIN#. GM AND SUTTLE MOTORS OF NEWPORT NEWS, VA REFUSE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I FEEL LIKE THIS VIN# SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED 5 YEARS AGO, WITH THE PROBLEM OCCURRING THE 1ST DAY OF OWNERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
10910574
Incident
Sep 27, 2016
Mileage
88,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 10, 2015

SLOWED TO TURN CORNER, PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AIRBAG LIGHT ON. NO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
10715533
Incident
May 10, 2015
Mileage
259,726 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 7, 2014

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN OFF KEY CAN BE REMOVED WITH CAR RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643149
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Mileage
124,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 18, 2013

LARGE BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL PULLING BEAD LOOSE FROM RIM, AFTER DRIVING ONLY ABOUT 140 MILES THESE TIRES ARE KELLY EXPLORER 205/70R15 DOT PJMO JD1R. *TR

NHTSA ID
10512661
Incident
May 18, 2013
Mileage
140 mi
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Nov 9, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE WITH BRIDGESTONE INSGINIA TIRES, SIZE: P225 60 RX16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOULD WEAR PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE NOT ROTATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 200,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. .. UPDATED 11/25/11 *BF UPDATED 12/12/11 THE CONSUMER WANTS TO CANCEL HIS COMPLAINT. 02/06/12

NHTSA ID
10434978
Incident
Oct 29, 2011
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 21, 2009

THREE OF THE FOUR REAR SUB-FRAME BOLTS RUSTED AWAY, ALLOWING THE SUB-FRAME TO DROP ON ONE SIDE AFFECTING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT WHEELS. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FOR THE SUSPENSION IS ATTACHED TO THE SUB-FRAME. IF THE FOURTH BOLT WAS RUSTED AS BAD AS THE OTHER THREE, THE WHOLE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WOULD DROP ALONG WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND STEERING LINKAGES DISMOUNTING CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL FOR VIN #-- I AM AWAY FROM HOME AND DO NOT HAVE VIN AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10296637
Incident
Dec 7, 2009
Mileage
180,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 13, 2008
Fire reported1 death reported

DAVID NELSON DIED IN CAR FIRE IN DRIVEWAY OF RESIDENCE IN PLENTYWOOD, MT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230980
Incident
Jan 12, 2008

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Park Avenue by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005800—
2004120037.7
2003331034.3
2002321252.3
2001572261.2
2000813359.4
19991403462.8
19982462562.0
19972193562.5
1996Viewing593361.1
19951171041.7
1994480039.9
1993641049.3
1992771150.8
1991921258.0
1990121137.4
1989210041.1
1988190042.4
1987130040.0
1986600—
1985100029.1
1984200—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.