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
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN GOING DOWNHILL THE CONSUMER PLACES THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR AND THE ENGINE DIES THE MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT SHIFTING DOWN EFFECTS THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER SO THAT IT SHUTS DOWN BUT THE CONSUMER IS CONSERNED ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH STATES IF YOU DONT DOWNSHIFT THE BRAKES COULD GET HOT AND CAUSE POOR OR NO BRAKIN…
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WHEN GOING DOWNHILL THE CONSUMER PLACES THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR AND THE ENGINE DIES THE MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT SHIFTING DOWN EFFECTS THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER SO THAT IT SHUTS DOWN BUT THE CONSUMER IS CONSERNED ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH STATES IF YOU DONT DOWNSHIFT THE BRAKES COULD GET HOT AND CAUSE POOR OR NO BRAKING ABILITY. NLM
NHTSA ODI #553623
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT A WARNING. CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #865252
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FRONT DISC PADS, REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND REAR CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A TWO-YEAR-OLD CAR WITH ONLY 38,500 MILES ON IT. BEFORE THE BRAKES WERE FIXED, THE CAR WOULD SHAKE SO BADLY IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. *AK
NHTSA ODI #724718
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2000
Steering
WIFE HAS COMPLAINED THE STEERING AT TIMES WOULD HAVE NO POWER STEERING. EVERY TIME I WOULD GO OUT AND CHECK THE STEERING IT WAS FINE. THIS WAS GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THIS CAR IS MY WIFES AND I RARELY DRIVE THIS CAR. ON JUNE 10, 2000, I DROVE THE CAR ON A 100 MILE ROUND TRIP WITH MY FAMILY(WIFE, TWO BOYS AGE 12 AND MYSELF). …
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WIFE HAS COMPLAINED THE STEERING AT TIMES WOULD HAVE NO POWER STEERING. EVERY TIME I WOULD GO OUT AND CHECK THE STEERING IT WAS FINE. THIS WAS GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THIS CAR IS MY WIFES AND I RARELY DRIVE THIS CAR. ON JUNE 10, 2000, I DROVE THE CAR ON A 100 MILE ROUND TRIP WITH MY FAMILY(WIFE, TWO BOYS AGE 12 AND MYSELF). 2 MILES FROM THE END OF THIS TRIP WHILE ON A STEP GRADE AT A RATE OF SPEED OF 30 MPH A VECHICLE AHEAD IN SAME LANE AS ME WAS TURNIG RIGHT INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE ROAD ALLOWED PASSING (DOTTED LINE). ANTICIPATING TO STEER AROUND THE VEHICLE. WHEN TRYING TO STEER LEFT THE STEERING BECAME MANUAL, NO POWER ASSISTANCE. ALL MOST IN PANIC, TURNED THE WHEEL HARD (FORCEFULL) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN POWER ASSISTANCE RETURNED. NOW COMPENSATING FOR OVER STEERING TO THE LEFT TRIED TO STEER RIGHT ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME SITUATION OCCUR, NO POWER ASSISTANCE TO THE RIGHT. TURNED HARD TO THE RIGHT ONLY TO HAVE THE POWER ASSIST RESUME. ASKED MY WIFE IF THIS IS WHAT SHE HAD EXPERIENCED. SHE SAID NOT TO THIS EXTENT. IDROVE THE CAR THE REST OF THE WAY HOME (2 MILES) WITHOUT ANY OTHER PROBLEMS UNTILL I TRIED TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. AGAIN NO POWER STEERING. CALLED THE DEALER MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AS SOON AS I COULD GET IN. DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN UNTILL I BROUGHT TO DEALER. (JUNE 14,2000). DEALER FOUND AN INTERNAL FAILURE IN THE STEERING RACK. I ASKED IF BUICK HAD A RECALL ON THIS FAILED COMPONENT. DEALER SAID NOT TO HIS KNOWLEDGE. CALL THE BUICK HOT LINE FOR COSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD NOT ATHORIZE THE REPAIR UNDER BUICK AN DHTAT IS WAS RESPONIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. I EXPLAINED TO THE REPRESENTITIVE FROM BUICK THAT I FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE SAFETY FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE HAD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I ASKED IF THEY FELT THE STEERIG OF A VEHICLE OR LACK OF THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THEY WOULD NOT COMMENT, AND WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. RAN OUT OF SPACE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #724190
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2000
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesSeat Belts
TRUNK LOCKS FAILED. YH
NHTSA ODI #552501
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, JUST HAD VEHICLE SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE. STARTED VEHICLE AND ENGINE EXPLODED, FLAMES ENGULFED VEHICLE. BUICK HAD RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM IN 96 & 97 MODELS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #862711
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2000
Electrical System
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT OFF. THERE WAS NO STEERING OR BRAKES, ETC. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #862668
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, DRIVER JUST BARELY TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE WENT DEAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT A FAULTY CELL IN THE BATTERY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #859281
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
Seat Belts
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T RELEASE WHEN CONSUMER TRIES TO PUT IT ON. NLM
NHTSA ODI #551446
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2000
Suspension
THE AIR LEVEL RIDE SYSTEM FILLED UP THE SHOCKS ALL THE WAY CAUSING THE REAR TO BOUNCE OVER BUMPS. THE BACK OF THE CAR IS UP HIGH AND IS STUCK THAT WAY. BUICK WILL TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. NLM
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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