NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
246 reports71,000 miles · Jan 22, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TURNED ON IGNIION KEY OF 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE TO START AND HEARD LOUD BANG AND THEN NOTICED GREY SMOKE AT REAR OF HOOD AREA. TURNED OFF KEY, GOT OUT AND CLOSED DOOR, PROCEEDED TO HOUSE TO CALL 911 AND GOT KITCHEN FIRE EXTINGUISHER. I WENT BACK TO BURNING CAR, OPENED HOOD, OBSERVED FIRE AT SIDE OF ENGINE NEXT TO FIREWALL. I USE…
Read full complaint
TURNED ON IGNIION KEY OF 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE TO START AND HEARD LOUD BANG AND THEN NOTICED GREY SMOKE AT REAR OF HOOD AREA. TURNED OFF KEY, GOT OUT AND CLOSED DOOR, PROCEEDED TO HOUSE TO CALL 911 AND GOT KITCHEN FIRE EXTINGUISHER. I WENT BACK TO BURNING CAR, OPENED HOOD, OBSERVED FIRE AT SIDE OF ENGINE NEXT TO FIREWALL. I USED FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO GET MOST OF FIRE OUT. THERE WAS SOME FIRE UNDER ENGINE ON GROUND WHICH THE EXTINGUISHER DID NOT GET OUT. THE EXTINGUISHER WAS NOW EMPTY SO I WENT BACK TO HOUSE AND GOT BAKING SODA FROM KITCHEN AND THREW IT UNDER ENGINE TO EXTENGUISH THE FIRE UNDER THE ENGINE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME BUT I HAD FIRE OUT BY THEN.
NHTSA ODI #10003165
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILS TO UNLOCK BY USING ELECTRONIC LOCKING BUTTON OR MANUALLY PULLING ON THE DOOR LOCK. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10002445
51,000 miles · Jan 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE STALLS AND WATER IN CYLINDERS. WATER IN CYLINDERS WAS CORRECTED WITH A NEW PLETIUM. THE ENGINE STALL PROBLEM WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I WAS ASSURED THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE CORRECTED. TO DATE IT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.I GAVE UP ON WILKENS BUICK (ON THE 2ND RETURN OF VEHICLE) WHEN THEY TOLD ME T…
Read full complaint
ENGINE STALLS AND WATER IN CYLINDERS. WATER IN CYLINDERS WAS CORRECTED WITH A NEW PLETIUM. THE ENGINE STALL PROBLEM WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I WAS ASSURED THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE CORRECTED. TO DATE IT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.I GAVE UP ON WILKENS BUICK (ON THE 2ND RETURN OF VEHICLE) WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NOT BE GIVEN A RENTAL BUT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. AGIAN THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO THEM, THEY ARE THE ONE'S THAT MADE ME AWARE OF IT. CAR STALLS EVEYTIME THAT YOU ARE COMING TO A STOP AND ON OCCASION GOING DOWN A HILL AND JUST LETTING UP ON GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A VERY HEAVY VEHICLE AND AT THIS POINT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE HIGHWAY, DUE TO INABILITY TO PROPERLY CONTROL THE STEERING WHEN THE ENGINE DIES.I CURRENTLY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT 3 DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES SINCE 12/13/2002, AND AGAIN TO DATE THE PROBLEM STILL PRESIST.
NHTSA ODI #10000670
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
WHEN CONSUMER TURNED THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE, THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR
NHTSA ODI #8024217
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK OR HOLE. COOLANT LEAKED INTO CYLINDERS AND OIL CAUSING ENGINE NOT TO RUN. REPAIR COST $966.23. FUEL REGULATOR FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO BACK FIRE AND BLOW VACCUM HOSES OFF OF ENGINE. REPLACEMENT OF SAME COST $114.94. DT
NHTSA ODI #770688
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2001 AT 48,000 MILES. TO CORRECT THE COOLANT LOSS THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX. $500.00. THE SECOND OCCURANCE WAS AT 103,000 MILES, THIS TIME GM HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 01-06-01-007A DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND INDICATING THAT NOW BOT…
Read full complaint
THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2001 AT 48,000 MILES. TO CORRECT THE COOLANT LOSS THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX. $500.00. THE SECOND OCCURANCE WAS AT 103,000 MILES, THIS TIME GM HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 01-06-01-007A DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND INDICATING THAT NOW BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS NEED TOBE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, COST $750.00. IT IS MY FEELING THAT SINCE GM KNOWS THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF FAULTY MATERIAL THEY SHOULD COVER AT LEAST THE COST OF THE PARTS, WHICH THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO. DT
NHTSA ODI #770627
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THE MOTOR "LOCKED UP" WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS. TS
NHTSA ODI #8023663
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2002
Electrical System
CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARK THE VEHICLE BATTERY FELL FROM ITS POST. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ODI #8023243
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION, CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS A BIG EXPLOSION UNDER HOOD, POPPED HOOD AND SAW FLAMES, WENT FOR HELP. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021979
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 6 DAYS. WEATHER WAS SLIGHT DRIZZLE, WITH TEMPERATURE ABOUT 50 DEGREES. AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 PM ON 10/25/2002, I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT. I HEARD A LOT POP FROM THE ENGINE. THE POP WAS SO LOUD THAT NEIGHBORS APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET DOWN THE STREET CAME OUT OF THEIR CLOSED HOUSES TO D…
Read full complaint
THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 6 DAYS. WEATHER WAS SLIGHT DRIZZLE, WITH TEMPERATURE ABOUT 50 DEGREES. AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 PM ON 10/25/2002, I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT. I HEARD A LOT POP FROM THE ENGINE. THE POP WAS SO LOUD THAT NEIGHBORS APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET DOWN THE STREET CAME OUT OF THEIR CLOSED HOUSES TO DISCOVER WHAT HAPPENED. SMOKE BEGIN TO POUR FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN FLAMES APPEARED. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. CAR WILL PROBABLY BE TOTALLED. DT
NHTSA ODI #768965
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