BUICK PARK AVENUE · model year

1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE

327 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998BUICKPARK AVENUE carries 327 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 46 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 PARK AVENUE is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 41 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (23) and engine and engine cooling:engine (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1998 PARK AVENUE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

327
Complaints
8
Crashes
46
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

327 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE41
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE23
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE21
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE14
SEAT BELTS11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH8
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING8
SUSPENSION7
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM6

Recent Complaints

20171025AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED POST CARD FOR AIRBAG RECALL. I CALLED THE 888 NUMBER & WENT ON THE INTERNET AS DIRECTED. NO ONE CAN IDENTIFY MY VEHICLE. THAT'S THE PROBLEM. CALL DORIS AT 1-575-208-0154 WHERE DO I GO FOR THIS RECALL LIVE IN ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO I'M AFRAID SOMETHING TERRIBLE WILL HAPPEN.

Mileage: 137,000

20160219SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS TWISTED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND BECAME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V117000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. ...UPDATED 09/14/16 *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELT FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE IS ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE ATTACHED RECALL NOTICE YET GM ASSERTS THAT THIS RECALL DOESN'T APPLY TO VEHICLES VIN NUMBER. UPDATED 5/30/18*JB

Mileage: 72,000

20150911SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT PROPERLY RETRACTING AND DETRACTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V117000 (SEAT BELTS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20150813STEERING

DRIVING DOWN THE HIWAY, HAD JUST PASSED A SEMI; THANK GOODNESS IT WAS AFTER THAT THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW MAKING THE CAR QUITE DIFFICULT TO STEER. TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE; HAD TO HAVE BOTH FRONT TIRES REPLACED AND INSTRUCTED TO BRING IT BACK THE WEEK AFTER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. AT THAT TIME I DISCOVERED THAT BOTH NEW FRONT TIRES WERE ALREADY RUINED DUE TO THE CRADLE/FRAME ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS RUSTED OUT. THIS COST ME $863. YESTERDAY - 08/12/2015 THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WENT OUT. UPON MY INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IT HAD BEEN FIXED.. ALTHO THERE WASN'T ANY CONCRETE PROOF GIVEN TO ME THAT IT HAD AS THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED WAS NOT THE DEALERSHIP THAT SAID THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE JUST WEEKS AFTER SPENDING $863 TO HAVE ONE ISSUE RESOLVED. I FIND IT PARTICULARLY APPALLING THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO HELP RESOLVE ANY OF THESE ISSUES.

Mileage: 143,960

20150813SUSPENSION

DRIVING DOWN THE HIWAY, HAD JUST PASSED A SEMI; THANK GOODNESS IT WAS AFTER THAT THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW MAKING THE CAR QUITE DIFFICULT TO STEER. TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE; HAD TO HAVE BOTH FRONT TIRES REPLACED AND INSTRUCTED TO BRING IT BACK THE WEEK AFTER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. AT THAT TIME I DISCOVERED THAT BOTH NEW FRONT TIRES WERE ALREADY RUINED DUE TO THE CRADLE/FRAME ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS RUSTED OUT. THIS COST ME $863. YESTERDAY - 08/12/2015 THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WENT OUT. UPON MY INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IT HAD BEEN FIXED.. ALTHO THERE WASN'T ANY CONCRETE PROOF GIVEN TO ME THAT IT HAD AS THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED WAS NOT THE DEALERSHIP THAT SAID THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE JUST WEEKS AFTER SPENDING $863 TO HAVE ONE ISSUE RESOLVED. I FIND IT PARTICULARLY APPALLING THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO HELP RESOLVE ANY OF THESE ISSUES.

Mileage: 143,960

20150813WHEELS

DRIVING DOWN THE HIWAY, HAD JUST PASSED A SEMI; THANK GOODNESS IT WAS AFTER THAT THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW MAKING THE CAR QUITE DIFFICULT TO STEER. TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE; HAD TO HAVE BOTH FRONT TIRES REPLACED AND INSTRUCTED TO BRING IT BACK THE WEEK AFTER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. AT THAT TIME I DISCOVERED THAT BOTH NEW FRONT TIRES WERE ALREADY RUINED DUE TO THE CRADLE/FRAME ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS RUSTED OUT. THIS COST ME $863. YESTERDAY - 08/12/2015 THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WENT OUT. UPON MY INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IT HAD BEEN FIXED.. ALTHO THERE WASN'T ANY CONCRETE PROOF GIVEN TO ME THAT IT HAD AS THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED WAS NOT THE DEALERSHIP THAT SAID THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE JUST WEEKS AFTER SPENDING $863 TO HAVE ONE ISSUE RESOLVED. I FIND IT PARTICULARLY APPALLING THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO HELP RESOLVE ANY OF THESE ISSUES.

Mileage: 143,960

20140715SEAT BELTS

I BROUGHT THE RECALL PRINT OUT FROM THE NHTSA # 00V117000 AND THE DEALER SAID GM DOESN'T LIST MY VEHICLE, BUT WHEN YOU RUN THE VIN MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I'VE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FOR YEARS AND IT NEED TO BE FIXED. THE LOCAL GM DEALER IN THE HOUGHTON LAKE, MICHIGAN AREA IS: NESTER CHEVROLET. NESTER CHEVROLET PHONE NUMBER IS: 989-422-5126. MY PASSENGERS CAN'T GET THE SEAT BELT TO FASTEN BECAUSE THE RETRACTOR WON'T EXTEND FAR ENOUGH TO BUCKLE THE BELT. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE SEAT BELT LAW IN MICHIGAN NOT TO WEAR A SEAT BELT. I NEED YOUR HELP! *TR

Mileage: 20,000

20140715SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

I BROUGHT THE RECALL PRINT OUT FROM THE NHTSA # 00V117000 AND THE DEALER SAID GM DOESN'T LIST MY VEHICLE, BUT WHEN YOU RUN THE VIN MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I'VE HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FOR YEARS AND IT NEED TO BE FIXED. THE LOCAL GM DEALER IN THE HOUGHTON LAKE, MICHIGAN AREA IS: NESTER CHEVROLET. NESTER CHEVROLET PHONE NUMBER IS: 989-422-5126. MY PASSENGERS CAN'T GET THE SEAT BELT TO FASTEN BECAUSE THE RETRACTOR WON'T EXTEND FAR ENOUGH TO BUCKLE THE BELT. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE SEAT BELT LAW IN MICHIGAN NOT TO WEAR A SEAT BELT. I NEED YOUR HELP! *TR

Mileage: 20,000

20130418FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20130418ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20121213FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 140,000

20120621STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

SO THERE HAS BEEN MANY TIME WERE M CAR DOORS HAVE WENT OUT AND WHEN I SAY OUT I MEAN TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN ONLY OPEN FROM THE INSIDE NOW I HAVE GONE OUT AND PAID TO HAVE THEM FIXED NOW I AT THE POINT WHERE I FEEL SOMETHING ELSE IS UP. I AM DOWN TO ONE DOOR AND THAT IS A BACK ONE SO YOU SEE THE PROBLEM. *TT

20120217FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL PRESSURE IS INCORRECT, STALLING, HIGH AND LOW RPMS, AT STOP SIGN, INCLUDING AND NOT LIMITED TO START, DRIVING, ETC. PLEASE HELP!. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20111103ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

LOSS OF COOLANT INTERNALLY TO COMBUSTION/COMPRESSION CHAMBERS, HYDRO LOCKED ENGINE, THICK SMOKE FROM ENGINE EXHAUST, COOLANT MIXING INTO OIL, UNSTABLE TEMPERATURE REQUIRING VEHICLE STOPPAGE TO AVOID OVERHEATING/FIRE, CAR WILL NOT RUN. INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE AND HEAD GASKET DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20111103POWER TRAIN

LOSS OF COOLANT INTERNALLY TO COMBUSTION/COMPRESSION CHAMBERS, HYDRO LOCKED ENGINE, THICK SMOKE FROM ENGINE EXHAUST, COOLANT MIXING INTO OIL, UNSTABLE TEMPERATURE REQUIRING VEHICLE STOPPAGE TO AVOID OVERHEATING/FIRE, CAR WILL NOT RUN. INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE AND HEAD GASKET DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20110513FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD BACKFIRE AND VISIBLE SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS BLOWN APART. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF RAW FUEL. I CONTACTED A LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WILL COST IN THE RANGE OF $2000 - $2500 DOLLARS.

Mileage: 42,000

20110414UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PURCHASED CAR 04/20/2006. IN JULY '09 USED CAR DEALER REPLACED INTAKE GASKET SET. (THEIR COST) IN JUNE '09 REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTOR & THERMOSTAT (MY EXPENSE) AUGUST '10 SAME MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET (MY EXPENSE) ODM 53405 DEC '10 I DISCOVERED ON INTERNET THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE PROBLEMS. CONTACTED BUICK AND JULIAN DELCOUR, VICE PRESIDENT SAID THE PROBLEMS HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN 2001 BUT UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH DOCUMENTATION. NOTE: RECALL ID#56853 DATED 2/24/2004 RELATED TO FUEL SYSTEM. SEAT BELT RECALL WAS IN 2000. DELCOUR DECLINED MY REQUEST FOR REPAYMENT OF REPAIRS MADE AT MY EXPENSE. THEY NEVER RESPONDED TO ME IN WRITING, ONLY PHONE CONVERSATIONS. MY ANSWERING MACHINE RECORDED HIS LAST CALL TO ME REGARDING THE NON-PAYMENT OR RELEASE OF RECORDS. QUESTIONS TO YOU: 1-WHY COULDN'T HE PROVIDE PROOF OF REPAIRS MADE AND UNABLE TO PROVIDE THIS TO ME, I THEN AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY HAVE NO PROOF. 2-SHOULDN'T THEY BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND PAY

Mileage: 48,161

20110330ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING OIL ON JULY 3, 2006. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET. ON JULY 9, 2009 THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 395.91. TWO MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RESURFACED. *JB

20110330ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING OIL ON JULY 3, 2006. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET. ON JULY 9, 2009 THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 395.91. TWO MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RESURFACED. *JB

20100928STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WHILE DRIVING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT. BEING ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY REPAIR SHOP, I SLOWLY DROVE THERE. THE MECHANIC TOOK THE CAR BACK ON THE ROAD AND WHEN BRAKED, PULLED MORE VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT. UPON INSPECTION THE FRAME, ENGINE CRADLE SECTION, HAD BROKEN. IN 30 YEARS, THE MECHANIC HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN. THE CAR HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE IT WAS IN GOOD SHAPE. UPDATED 10/05/10 *BF PICTURES RECEIVED. UPDATED 10/07/10 UPDATED 101810 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 10/21/10*JB *TR

Mileage: 65,000

Compare 1998BUICKPARK AVENUE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE have?
The 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE has 327 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 46 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE?
The most-complained component for the 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 41 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.