BUICK PARK AVENUE · model year

2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE

71 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001BUICKPARK AVENUE carries 71 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 11 fires, 6 injuries, and 2 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 2001 PARK AVENUE is electrical system with 8 filings, followed by engine (7) and vehicle speed control (5). 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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2001 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.

71
Complaints
5
Crashes
11
Fires
6
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

71 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
ENGINE7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STEERING3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
STEERING:RACK AND PINION2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
TIRES1

Recalls (2)

00V34600030/10/2000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A WIPER SYSTEM MICROPROCESSOR THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO VOLTAGE TRANSIENTS, WHICH CAN CAUSE A "LATCH-UP" CONDITION IN THE S

02V32800009/12/2002

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE MAY BE INSTALLED OR FORCED OUT OF THE PROPER POSITION.

Recent Complaints

20260218FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2001 Buick Park Avenue. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the hood exploded and caught on fire. The fire was extinguished with 3 buckets of water. There was no property damage. It was unknown whether warning lights illuminated after the failure. There was no injury sustained; however, the contact stated that the incident was traumatic. The vehicle remained at the contact's residence, pending evaluation. No police report was filed. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20210419FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

THE MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE EVERYTHING IN THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ORLANDO STREET FRESNO CA 93706.

Mileage: 1,245

20210419FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE EVERYTHING IN THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ORLANDO STREET FRESNO CA 93706.

Mileage: 1,245

20210419FireENGINE

THE MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE EVERYTHING IN THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ORLANDO STREET FRESNO CA 93706.

Mileage: 1,245

20200211ENGINE

UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED INTO AT LEAST 10 PIECES DURING START UP. STATIONARY . HAD NOT BEEN STARTED FOR TWO DAYS. IN DRIVEWAY.

Mileage: 114,000

20190417FireENGINE

THE INTAKE PLENIUM EXPLODED AND STARTED A FIRE

Mileage: 161,985

20161220FireENGINE

OUR 2001 BUICK HAS HAD A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IT IS THE SAME CAUSE AS THIS RECALL- [XXX] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -CLOSE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES , 1 RECALL(S) DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: OCT 22, 2002 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: MAR 09, 2004 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA02030 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20161220FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

OUR 2001 BUICK HAS HAD A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IT IS THE SAME CAUSE AS THIS RECALL- [XXX] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -CLOSE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES , 1 RECALL(S) DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: OCT 22, 2002 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: MAR 09, 2004 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA02030 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20151219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ANY TIME THE THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED THE GAS NEEDLE GOES ON THE WRONG SIDE AND WILL NOT COME BACK IN PLACE UNTIL THE DASH IS REMOVED AND THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP AND THIS COST.

Mileage: 6,000

20151105ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKINF ON THE GROUND. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO, THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT LEAKED ONTO THE MANIFOLD, WHICH CAUSED THE ABNORMAL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20141124ENGINE

A 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE WAS PURCHASED ON APRIL 27, 2014. IT RAN GOOD UNTIL SEPTEMBER 19, 2014. ON THAT DAY MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER ON A SIDE ROAD. HE WAS ABLE TO START IT AFTER HAVING TO PULL OVER WITH NO LIGHTS, POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. I TOOK IT FOR A TEST RIDE AND IT DID THE SAME THING. WE GOT IT HOME AND FAILED TO REPAIR IT BY OURSELVES. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR GARAGE AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE MAF SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME HOW TO TAP ON THE ENCLOSURE (WITH A SCREWDRIVER) WHICH HOUSED THE PART AND THE ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER AND MISS. AFTER INSTALLING A NEW MAF SENSOR IT NOW RUNS FINE. WE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE HISTORY AND IT NEEDED A NEW MAF SENSOR TWO OTHER TIMES. ONCE AT 9/2013 AND ANOTHER AT 6/2012. IT IS SURPRISING AND SHOCKING THAT THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. A BRAND NEW MAF SENSOR FROM THE BUICK DEALER COSTS $

Mileage: 156,270

20141105CrashFatalAIR BAGS

MY DAUGHTER HAD A HEAD ON ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN OUR 2001 BUICK PARK AVE. SHE DIED FROM HER INJURIES. SHE WAS 17 YEARS OLD. *TR

20141105CrashFatalELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY DAUGHTER HAD A HEAD ON ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN OUR 2001 BUICK PARK AVE. SHE DIED FROM HER INJURIES. SHE WAS 17 YEARS OLD. *TR

20141017ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT WRECKING (LUCKILY), IT WOULD NOT RESTART, WE HAD THE CAR TOWED. THE CODE READER INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. IF YOU CLEAR THE CODES, OR DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, THE CAR WILL START. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. MY DAUGHTER HAS LEARNED HOW TO CLEAR CODES WITH A CODE READER, BUT THIS IS UNSAFE. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NOT HAD A RECALL ON THIS, BUT IT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE OTHER IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS ON THE OTHER GM VEHICLES. THEY NEED TO BE RECALLED!! *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20140819ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED AROUND 50-65 MILES PER HOUR MY CAR WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. I WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON A MAJOR FREEWAY AND HAD TO PULL OVER AS CARS WOULD JUST DRIVE BY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR OR FASTER. I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IF I OR MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED I AM SURE GM WOULD ADD MORE CARS TO THE RECALL. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A TRAGIC INCIDENT TO HAPPEN. I TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IS WAS THE IGNITION ISSUE DUE TO THE PK3 SECURITY SYSTEM GM HAS ON THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 176,000

20140328FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR AFTER THE IGNITION WAS CRANKED FOR LESS THAN ONE SECOND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITHIN A MINUTE DUE TO ACCESS OF A NEARBY FIRE EXTINGUISHER. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD EXPLODED OFF OF THE ENGINE AND THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGE TO WIRING AND HOSES. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 5 DEGREES F. IT IS A GOOD THING I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM MY AGING PARENTS. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

20140328FireENGINE

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR AFTER THE IGNITION WAS CRANKED FOR LESS THAN ONE SECOND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITHIN A MINUTE DUE TO ACCESS OF A NEARBY FIRE EXTINGUISHER. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD EXPLODED OFF OF THE ENGINE AND THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGE TO WIRING AND HOSES. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 5 DEGREES F. IT IS A GOOD THING I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM MY AGING PARENTS. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

20140328FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR AFTER THE IGNITION WAS CRANKED FOR LESS THAN ONE SECOND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITHIN A MINUTE DUE TO ACCESS OF A NEARBY FIRE EXTINGUISHER. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD EXPLODED OFF OF THE ENGINE AND THERE WAS FIRE DAMAGE TO WIRING AND HOSES. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 5 DEGREES F. IT IS A GOOD THING I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM MY AGING PARENTS. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

20110301VISIBILITY

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON THE VEHICLE BECOME FOGGED OVER SO BADLY THAT YOU CANNOT SEE THE ROAD VERY CLEARLY AT NIGHT. THIS IS DUE TO THE AUTO MAKERS USING PLASTIC FOR THE LENS COVER INSTEAD OF USING GLASS ON THE ASSEMBLIES, IF THEY USED GLASS THERE WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20110301EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON THE VEHICLE BECOME FOGGED OVER SO BADLY THAT YOU CANNOT SEE THE ROAD VERY CLEARLY AT NIGHT. THIS IS DUE TO THE AUTO MAKERS USING PLASTIC FOR THE LENS COVER INSTEAD OF USING GLASS ON THE ASSEMBLIES, IF THEY USED GLASS THERE WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

Compare 2001BUICKPARK AVENUE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE have?
The 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE has 71 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 11 fires, 6 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE?
Yes, the 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE?
The most-complained component for the 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2001 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.