Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1625–50K
2550–75K
2175–100K
16100–150K
1150K+
83 reports with mileage · 163 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports29 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
246 reports
42,496 miles · Mar 24, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED WHILE IN THE GARAGE WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE "EXPLODED" UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FRACTURED AND RESULTED IN THE FUEL RAIL BENDING. ONE OF THE FUEL LINE HOLDING CLIPS ALSO WAS BROKE. *NLM THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY HAD RUN …
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THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED WHILE IN THE GARAGE WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE "EXPLODED" UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FRACTURED AND RESULTED IN THE FUEL RAIL BENDING. ONE OF THE FUEL LINE HOLDING CLIPS ALSO WAS BROKE. *NLM THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY HAD RUN DEAD AND WAS CHARGED, THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS CHECKED, THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND HAD BLOWN THE INTAKE GASKET. THE INTAKE GASKET WAS REPLACED, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REMOVED, THE CYLINDERS WERE BLOWN OUT, THE FUEL RAIL WAS STRAIGHTENED, THE LEAKING FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, AND FUEL FEED LINE/FUEL RAIL TO FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. BUICK DIVISION OF GM AGREED TO COVER 50 PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COST. SCC
NHTSA ODI #10012291
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE FIRE RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-030
NHTSA ODI #10009618
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN BUT COULD HAVE BEEN EITHER ELECTRICAL OR FUEL RELATED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10009829
81,820 miles · Mar 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
LIFTERS DAMAGED FROM APPARENT COOLANT LEAK IN UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AT 80,000 MILES. ROD BEARING KNOCK OCCURRED AT 81,820 MILES. CAUSE AS YET UNKNOWN. POSSIBLY RELATED TO EARLIER COOLANT LEAK PROBLEM. NOW IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008286
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED, WHICH CAUSED A LOUD NOISE AND SMOKE TO APPEAR.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008979
57,000 miles · Feb 17, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. BEARING CAME LOOSE AND DAMAGED INTERNAL PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #10007644
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2003
Unknown Or OtherCrash
1998 BUICK PARK AVE TIRE JACK FAILED. SCREW JACK THREADS STRIPPED AND VEHICLE FELL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE. JACK HAD BEEN USED 20 TIME PREVIOUSLY TO ASSIST IN TIRE ROTATATION. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE? IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #10005756
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE. THE MANIFOLD ALLOWED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. PH
NHTSA ODI #10006690
87,711 miles · Feb 4, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEGAN LEAKING ANTIFREEZE IN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. PH
NHTSA ODI #10006424
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
'98 PARK AVE 4DR. ENGINE BACKFIRED, LUCKY TO GET IT STARTED IT SOUND LIKE A HOT-ROD, BUT DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE, WE REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR (DIAPHRAGM RUPTURED)$750.00. WE ALSO,DROVE IT HOME ABOUT 50 MILES. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE DROVE IT HOME WITH OUR 1 YEAR OLD SON IF WE KNEW THAT IT WAS A …
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'98 PARK AVE 4DR. ENGINE BACKFIRED, LUCKY TO GET IT STARTED IT SOUND LIKE A HOT-ROD, BUT DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE, WE REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR (DIAPHRAGM RUPTURED)$750.00. WE ALSO,DROVE IT HOME ABOUT 50 MILES. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE DROVE IT HOME WITH OUR 1 YEAR OLD SON IF WE KNEW THAT IT WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. THANKS!
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
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.
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
5
RQ03001 · 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
1998 Buick Park Avenue Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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