IllustrationSEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. CONSUME RHAS DRIVEN THREE DAYS LAST WEEK WITHOUT SEAT BELTS PROTECTION BECAUSE RETRACTOR DID NOT WORK. DEALER HAS REPLACED THAT PART TWICE, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
1997 Buick Park Avenue
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Park Avenue years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue are substantially higher than the model-year median of 40.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Park Avenue years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
925–50K
950–75K
1875–100K
19100–150K
6150K+
62 reports with mileage · 157 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seat Belts. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports21 fire reports7 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
52 reportsDRIVER'S AND PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACTING MECHANISM.*AK *SLC
THE PART IN FRONT OF THE RETRACTOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER STATES IT WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF THE MAIN ROLLER. *SLC
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A REPAIR TO THE FRONT SEAT BELTS(00V-117). DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED TWICE, HOWEVER HAS NOT INFORMED CONSUMER AS TO WHEN THE VEHICLE CAN EXPECT REPAIRS. YD
AT 21,470 MILES, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT WHEN USED, AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RETRACT FROM RETRACTOR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK PASSENGERS RIGHT FRONT LAP BELT IS NOT STUCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE, DEALER STATED IN THE BEGINNING THAT HE WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER …
Read full complaint
AT 21,470 MILES, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT WHEN USED, AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RETRACT FROM RETRACTOR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK PASSENGERS RIGHT FRONT LAP BELT IS NOT STUCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE, DEALER STATED IN THE BEGINNING THAT HE WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER WHEN HE FOUND OUT THE COST, HE DECLINED HIS OFFER. *SLC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION #00039 FOR FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR, CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE REPAIR COMPLETED ONLY TO BE TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, SECOND OCCASION PARTS WERE IN CONSUMER RETURNED VEHILCE AND WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT AFTER CHECKING TO SEE IF PROBLEM WAS FIXED CO…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION #00039 FOR FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR, CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE REPAIR COMPLETED ONLY TO BE TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, SECOND OCCASION PARTS WERE IN CONSUMER RETURNED VEHILCE AND WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT AFTER CHECKING TO SEE IF PROBLEM WAS FIXED CONSUMER REALIZED SEAT BELT WAS STILL EXHIBITING SAME PROBLEM, CONSUMER WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP A THIRD TIME AND WAS ADVISED THAT PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED, THE LAST TIME CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM DEALERSHIP STATING THERE WERE NO PARTS AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT REQUIRE REPAIR OF THE DEFECT, CONSUMER WAS LATER ADVISED THAT MECHANIC STATED CONSUMER DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE RECALL AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS FINISHED. *JB
OWNER SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V-227, EXPERIENCED DEFECT PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION, SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. *CJ
SEAT BELTS BECAME INOPERATIVE PRIOR TO RECALL 00V-117, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
OWNER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM MANUFACTURE FOR RECALL (00V-117). REPAIRS WERE MADE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION, OWNER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSE FOR CHARGES. *CJ
Official recalls
300V117000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing
Apr 18, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELTS THAT MAY TWIST, ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE BELT MAY BE UNUSABLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF UPDATED FRONT SHOULDER BELT BEZELS AND WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT OPENING BEZEL KITS.
97V064000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Apr 28, 1997
THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.
97V036000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly
Mar 11, 1997
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM WOULD NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
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:rack And Pinion
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.
EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
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:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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
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.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
EA00002 · Front Shoulder Belt Malfunction
Opened Jan 6, 2000 · Closed May 2, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE99056 · Front Shoulder Belt Malfunction
Opened Sep 2, 1999 · Closed Jan 6, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available