NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
28 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Dec 13, 2012
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE HEATER AND REAR DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED A BURNING ODOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMALL FLAMES EMITTING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW PANEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE HEATER AND REAR DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED A BURNING ODOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMALL FLAMES EMITTING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW PANEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND DISCONNECTED THE DEFROSTER WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE AND WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10488706
30,654 miles · Feb 24, 2006
Electrical System
1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE ULTRA SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON. *TS THE MECHANIC STATED THE DOOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SECURITY MODULE WAS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10151916
68,179 miles · Sep 8, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
I PURCHASED 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE, FROM SANDERSON LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP, GLENDALE, AZ 85301, ON FEBRUARY 24, 2005. SUBSEQUENTLY, I EXPERIENCED A MECHANICAL BREAK-DOWN ON APRIL 30, 2005. HENCE, I HAVE DISCERNED THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2004, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V0900000 AND CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V1…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE, FROM SANDERSON LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP, GLENDALE, AZ 85301, ON FEBRUARY 24, 2005. SUBSEQUENTLY, I EXPERIENCED A MECHANICAL BREAK-DOWN ON APRIL 30, 2005. HENCE, I HAVE DISCERNED THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2004, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V0900000 AND CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V17000 ON APRIL 18, 2000. I AM WRITING BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED BOTH DEFECTS. THE FORMER CAMPAIGN CAUSED ME TO EXPEND $900. FOR REPAIRS FOR A CRACKED MANIFOLD AND THE LATTER WAS RECENTLY EXPERIENCE WHEN THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COULD NOT ATTACH THE SAFETY SEAT BELT BECAUSE IT HAD JAMMED. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT MY RECOURSES SHOULD BE? POWER BUICK, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, NEVER ADVISE ME OF A RECALL THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE AUTO'S BREAKDOWN...BUT DID CHARGE ME $887.44 FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10135862
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
MY 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF A LINE THAT LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE CYLINDERS OF THE ENGINE. AFTER I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANINC AND TALKING WITH A PARTS FOREMAN AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS QUITE COMMON. IF IT IS COMMON WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL AND WHY AREN'T THE BEING FIXED FREE OF COS…
Read full complaint
MY 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF A LINE THAT LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE CYLINDERS OF THE ENGINE. AFTER I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANINC AND TALKING WITH A PARTS FOREMAN AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS QUITE COMMON. IF IT IS COMMON WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL AND WHY AREN'T THE BEING FIXED FREE OF COST TO US OWNERS?
NHTSA ODI #10129810
89,500 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Electrical System
VEHICLE BATTERY FAILED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE BATTERY CABLE CAME LOOSE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY UNLOCKING THE …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE BATTERY FAILED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE BATTERY CABLE CAME LOOSE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY UNLOCKING THE DOORS MANUALLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10089583
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE'S MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WARRANTY INSURANCE DENIED COVERAGE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *SC …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE'S MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WARRANTY INSURANCE DENIED COVERAGE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *SC THE STARTED HOUSING WAS ALSO CRACKED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10089366
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2004
Electrical System
1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE ALTERNATOR BEARING FREEZING UP.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE ALTERNATOR BEARING LOCK UP AND THE DRIVE BELT BROKE. THE DRIVER TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10079875
48,000 miles · Feb 23, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059595
18,000 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
CONSUMER REPORTED TO THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR, TOM SCHAEFER, THAT WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT HEARD A LOUD THUMP, AND THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OUT. SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MR. SCHAEFER SAID THAT THE CONSUMER USED THE WORD THUMP NOT B…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER REPORTED TO THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR, TOM SCHAEFER, THAT WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT HEARD A LOUD THUMP, AND THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OUT. SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MR. SCHAEFER SAID THAT THE CONSUMER USED THE WORD THUMP NOT BANG TO DESCRIBE THE INITIAL INCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10048211
60,000 miles · Nov 14, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER HOOD. THIS OCCURRED WHEN KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION BECAUSE THE UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS WERE MELTED TOGETHER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10047989
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
Illustration