RoadVitals

1997 Buick Park Avenue Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
39
Latest Feb 25, 2012
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 219 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Buick Park Avenue submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words

BrakesSeat beltsSteering
Filed Feb 25, 2012

I OWN A 1997 PARK AVE ULTRA WITH SEVERAL RECALL REPAIR ISSUES THE FOLLOWING WERE ADDRESSED BY GM BUT NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED: (FAULTY) ABS SYSTEM (WITH CAMPAIGN CODE STICKER) REPLACED ABS SYSTEM CUTS OUT RANDOMLY CAUSING CHANGES IN STOPPING DISTANCE (IN SEVERE BRAKING SITUATIONS THE ABS SYSTEM HAS CUT OUT ON ME GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES JUST TO COME TO A NORMAL STOP) FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT(NO CAMPAIGN STICKER) MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR WAS NEVER FIXED OR TORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFIED STANDARDS WHILE IN FOR REPAIRS LET ALONE ADDRESSED AT ALL RACK AND PINION HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES SOME DUE TO AGE AND MILES BUT REGARDLESS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS LOOSE AND BEARINGS ARE SHOT THE FAULTY RECALL REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE DON'T INSTILL TRUST IN GM'S ABILITY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE A SECOND TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10449285
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. CURRENTLY, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WILL ENGAGE DURING BRAKING. OCCASIONALLY, THEY ENGAGE BY THEMSELVES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARS A GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHE IS NOT BRAKING. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,800.

NHTSA ID
10243075
Incident
Jun 15, 2008
Mileage
47,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 3, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGE WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V064000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,004 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. UPDATED 10/03/08.*JB

NHTSA ID
10240776
Incident
Jun 27, 2008
Mileage
67,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.

NHTSA ID
10192399
Incident
May 26, 2007
Mileage
45,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2007

REPEATABLE, WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE, THE ABS AND TRACTION-OFF WARNING-LIGHTS SUDDENLY COME ON TOGETHER AND STAY ON INDICATING LOSS OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON RESETS THE FUNCTIONS, BUT THEY WILL BECOME DISABLED AGAIN SOMETIME LATER WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD HAPPEN, POSSIBLY FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR SOMEONE, IN AN EMERGENCY JUST BEFORE ONE OF THESE FUNCTIONS IS CALLED UPON TO AVOID A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE OCCURS ON SMOOTH ROADS WITHOUT REGARD TO SPEED. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. THE CAR MAY RUN FOR 200 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM, AND THEN AGAIN THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM STARTING OUT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178878
Incident
Oct 1, 2006
Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED AND THE ABS BRAKES CYCLED FOR NO REASON CAUSING A GRINDING SOUND TO APPEAR FROM THE TRANSMISSION. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DETERMINING THERE WAS A DEFECT PERTAINING TO THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACT CONTROL MODULE. INFORMATION WAS ALSO FOUND ONLINE REGARDING RECALLS THAT MATCHED VEHICLE'S SYMPTOMS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE ALERTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VIN DID NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10163119
Incident
Jul 15, 2006
Mileage
70,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 2005

DT: THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME AROUND THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2005. THE BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING. THE CONTACT HAD THE REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHT WERE COMING ON. THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION LIGHT, AND A NOISE WERE STILL OCCURRING. NHTSA RECALL 97V064,000 CONCERNING ABS WAS ISSUED. WHEN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING THAT CAME OUT OF IT YET. *AK

NHTSA ID
10139485
Incident
Sep 15, 2005
Brakes
Filed Feb 5, 2004

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10057582
Incident
Feb 3, 2004
Mileage
78,800 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE HEATER IN THE SEAT QUIT WORKING. A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED AND IT DOESN'T HEAT UP CORRECTLY. THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW FAILED. THE ROTORS/BRAKES WERE WARPED. THE STEREO FAILED. THE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP CORRECTLY DESPITE A NEW ONE BEING PUT IN. THE STARTER IS DRAGGING. SOME OF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE SMART CHOICE EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER SOME OF THE REPAIRS ARE STILL NEEDED AND I STILL HAVE TIME REMAINING ON MY SMART CHOICE WARRRANTY BUT THEY HAVE WENT BANKRUPT AND MY DEALER SAYS THE WARRANTY IS NO LONGER VALID AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS DONE.

NHTSA ID
10070934
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
72,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2003

THE ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10011858
Incident
Sep 26, 2002
Mileage
29,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2002

CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE TRYIED TO STOP VEHICLE QUICKLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED AND THEN THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN APPLIED, OWNER CHECKED BRAKE PADS, AND FOUND THEM IN GOOD CONDITION, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE BRAKES LOCK-UP ON ICE AND THE CAR IS SLIDING. *JG *AK

NHTSA ID
8004459
Incident
Feb 22, 2002
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Nov 30, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
755127
Incident
May 25, 2001
Brakes
Filed Oct 25, 2001

RECALL 97V064000; WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES THEY WILL PULSATE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
898206
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2001

BRAKE LINES LEAKING DISCOVERED IN FLORIDA ON TRIP. BUICK DEALER REPAIRED, BOTH BRAKE PIPES FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS UNIT RUBBED AGAINST TRANSMISSION, REPLACED. I WOULD SAY THIS IS A MFG. FAULT.*AK

NHTSA ID
752384
Incident
Sep 9, 2001
Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 2001

ALL FOUR DISC BRAKE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT ONLY 54000 MILES. PRODUCT PRCLUDES TURN DOWN? LIFE IS TERRIBLE FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RELATED ITEM. REPAIR FACILITY REPORTS MANY SIMILAR FAILURES ARE OCCURING.*AK

NHTSA ID
751840
Incident
Sep 2, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jul 24, 2001
Crash reported

ON TWO OCCASSIONS, ONE ON DRY PAVEMENT, ONE ON WET, IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION, THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO BRAKING FOR A TIME. IT WAS AS IF THE ABS STARTED ON THE WRONG CYCLE (NO BRAKING). THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED SIGNIFICATLY IN BOTH CASES. *AK

NHTSA ID
749035
Incident
Jun 19, 2001
BrakesTransmission
Filed May 21, 2001

ELECTRONIC BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING ABS TO ACTIVATE WHEN IT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO. ALSO, TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN TAKING OFF, PREVENTING VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. RECALL 97V064000/ ABS FAILURE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
888675
Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 2001

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE COMING TO A SLOW AND NORMAL STOP ABS WILL KICK IN, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ABS KICKS IN WHEN IT IS NOT NECESSARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
883280
Brakes
Filed Sep 18, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH GOING DOWN HILL BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOCKED IN PLACE. CONSUMER COULD NOT PRESS BRAKE, AND HAD TO COAST DOWN THE HILL. *AK THE POSSIBLE CAUSE IS BRAKES HEATING THE FLUID AND WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER. *YH

NHTSA ID
870740
Incident
Sep 16, 2000
Brakes
Filed Sep 6, 2000

FIRST TIME REPAIRED BRAKES AT 19000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
730495
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed Apr 18, 2000

WHILE MAKING A TURN BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED AND STAYED ON. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING ON TRANSMISSION AND WORE A HOLE THROUGH THE BRKAE LINE. WOULD HAVE LED TO TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
860508
BrakesSeat beltsSteering
Filed Jan 13, 2000

FACTORY REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SEPT 1998 SAME AS BEFORE. THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM PERSISTS; SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT BUICK COULD DO NOTHING. PASSENGER CAN EXTEND SEAT BELT, BUT IT OFTEN FOLDS & JAMS, LEAVING 1-2 FT OF LOOSE BELT WHICH VOIDS THE SAFETY OF SEAT BELT. WARPED BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING PROBLEM IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO BUICK WHO HAS LAST WEEK SUGGESTED A TRIAL OF CHANGING HOSES.

NHTSA ID
717287
Incident
Nov 10, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jan 12, 2000

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED THERE IS A PULSATING FEELING IN THE PEDAL . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
854915
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+6 more
Filed Dec 14, 1999

FRONT WHEELS OUT OF BALANCE. NLM

NHTSA ID
549949
Incident
Mar 20, 1998
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+5 more
Filed Dec 10, 1999

BRAKES MAKE VIBRATION AND SHUDDER, REPAIRED ROTORS HOWEVER CONTINUES. MJS

NHTSA ID
549915

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .