BUICK PARK AVENUE · model year

2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE

17 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004BUICKPARK AVENUE carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 fires, 2 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 2004 PARK AVENUE is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by exterior lighting:headlights (2) and wheels:rim (1). 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 2004 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.

17
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

17 filings

Crashes Reported

0 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 SYSTEM3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2
WHEELS:RIM1
TIRES1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
WHEELS1
ENGINE1
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1
STRUCTURE1
AIR BAGS1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1

Recent Complaints

20230811EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Head lights automatically shut off while driving at night: 1) The vehicle senses it is after dusk and automatically turns on headlights while starting the engine (Manual head light switch is in off position). 2) Driver therefore doesn't use manual switch to turn on head lights and proceeds to drive. 3) Approximately 10 minutes later, while driving in the dark, the vehicle automatically turns off the head lights resulting in a dangerous dark situation where driver can not see nor can the vehicle be seen by others. 4) The surprised driver must pull on the manual head light switch to regain head lights. 5) This may potentially happen any and every time the car is started after dusk, especially by a driver not familiar with the vehicle or issue.

20161206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVER SIDE HEATED REAR VIEW MIRROR LOST CLARITY AND THE VIEW IS MINIMAL WITH NO VISION WHEN IT IS DARK. THIS IS FORTH BUICK PARK AVE TO DO THIS . 1997. 2000 2003 2004 DEALER WANTS $545.00 FOR THE GLASS ALONE.

Mileage: 125,300

20161206VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVER SIDE HEATED REAR VIEW MIRROR LOST CLARITY AND THE VIEW IS MINIMAL WITH NO VISION WHEN IT IS DARK. THIS IS FORTH BUICK PARK AVE TO DO THIS . 1997. 2000 2003 2004 DEALER WANTS $545.00 FOR THE GLASS ALONE.

Mileage: 125,300

20140917AIR BAGS

SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20140912ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT THEN THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND STEAM STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS THE HEATER HOSE FITTING THAT HAD FAILED. ACCORDING TO MOST DEALERSHIPS THIS IS BECOMING A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 127,000

20140912EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT THEN THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND STEAM STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS THE HEATER HOSE FITTING THAT HAD FAILED. ACCORDING TO MOST DEALERSHIPS THIS IS BECOMING A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 127,000

20140912STRUCTURE

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT THEN THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND STEAM STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS THE HEATER HOSE FITTING THAT HAD FAILED. ACCORDING TO MOST DEALERSHIPS THIS IS BECOMING A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 127,000

20140724WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN FLUID LEAKING FROM THE WHEELS INTERMITTENTLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A TIRE SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20140707FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE AFTERNOON OF FEBRUARY 14 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM INDIANA ON I-70 EAST TOWARDS DAYTON, OHIO. AS WE WERE DRIVING WE NOTICED HOW THE SNOW STORM WE THOUGHT WE WERE LEAVING BEHIND IN INDIANA SEEMED TO BE EVER WITH US. ABOUT 3 P.M. IN THE AFTERNOON I, THE DRIVER, SMELLED A FAINT ELECTRICAL ODOR. HAVING HAD THAT EXPERIENCE BEFORE WITH NO CONSEQUENCE I THOUGHT I MIGHT JUST BE MISTAKEN OR SMELLED THE ODOR FROM ANOTHER CAR. ABOUT THE SAME TIME, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHETHER IT WAS JUST BEFORE OR JUST AFTER THIS, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH IT HAS DONE INTERMITTENTLY IN THE RECENT PAST WITH NO CONSEQUENCE. JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER, HOWEVER, THE RADIO CEASED TO OPERATE. SINCE OUR AM CAPABILITY HAD VANISHED ALMOST A YEAR AGO, WE BOTH TOOK NOTE OF THIS OBVIOUS INTERRUPTION. FOR THE NEXT FEW MOMENTS WE WERE DISTRACTED BY NOT HAVING RADIO, BUT FIDDLED WITH THE DIAL, AND SOON HAD A SIGNAL RETURN FOR JUST A BRIEF MOMENT THEN IT WENT SILENT AGAIN. AT ABOUT THAT SAME MOMENT I AG

Mileage: 219,000

20140707FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE AFTERNOON OF FEBRUARY 14 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM INDIANA ON I-70 EAST TOWARDS DAYTON, OHIO. AS WE WERE DRIVING WE NOTICED HOW THE SNOW STORM WE THOUGHT WE WERE LEAVING BEHIND IN INDIANA SEEMED TO BE EVER WITH US. ABOUT 3 P.M. IN THE AFTERNOON I, THE DRIVER, SMELLED A FAINT ELECTRICAL ODOR. HAVING HAD THAT EXPERIENCE BEFORE WITH NO CONSEQUENCE I THOUGHT I MIGHT JUST BE MISTAKEN OR SMELLED THE ODOR FROM ANOTHER CAR. ABOUT THE SAME TIME, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHETHER IT WAS JUST BEFORE OR JUST AFTER THIS, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH IT HAS DONE INTERMITTENTLY IN THE RECENT PAST WITH NO CONSEQUENCE. JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER, HOWEVER, THE RADIO CEASED TO OPERATE. SINCE OUR AM CAPABILITY HAD VANISHED ALMOST A YEAR AGO, WE BOTH TOOK NOTE OF THIS OBVIOUS INTERRUPTION. FOR THE NEXT FEW MOMENTS WE WERE DISTRACTED BY NOT HAVING RADIO, BUT FIDDLED WITH THE DIAL, AND SOON HAD A SIGNAL RETURN FOR JUST A BRIEF MOMENT THEN IT WENT SILENT AGAIN. AT ABOUT THAT SAME MOMENT I AG

Mileage: 219,000

20120325FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HAD THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 45 MPH WHICH IS JUST A 15 MINUTE RIDE AND WHEN I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY, SMOKE WAS FILING THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I POPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED FOR DAMAGE AND DID NOT FIND ANY. CLOSED THE HOOD AND NOTICE THE REAR (DRIVER SIDE) PASSENGER SEAT ON FIRE. I RAN IN THE HOUSE AND GOT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. UNFORTUNATELY THE INSURER DEEMED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 67,501

20120325FireVISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

HAD THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 45 MPH WHICH IS JUST A 15 MINUTE RIDE AND WHEN I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY, SMOKE WAS FILING THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I POPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED FOR DAMAGE AND DID NOT FIND ANY. CLOSED THE HOOD AND NOTICE THE REAR (DRIVER SIDE) PASSENGER SEAT ON FIRE. I RAN IN THE HOUSE AND GOT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. UNFORTUNATELY THE INSURER DEEMED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 67,501

20111007FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFILLING THE FUEL TANK, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20091013TIRES

BOTH FACTORY - EQUIPPED TEMPORARY SPARE TIRES IN MY SON'S 2000 BUICK LESABRE AND MY WIFE'S 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE TRUNKS HAVE FAILED WITHOUT EVER USING THEM. THE TREAD SIMPLY SEPARATED WHILE IN THE TRUNK, REQUIRING EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS . TIRE PRESSURE WAS AT OR LOWER THAN THE 60PSI REQUIRED. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

20091005WHEELS:RIM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CHROME COVERED ALUMINUM RIMS HAVE CORROSION, THAT CAUSES A LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT ROAD SIDE SALT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63.520. UPDATED 10/26/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/26/09

Mileage: 63,520

20060705EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

2004 PARK AVENUE HEADLIGHTS ARE DESIGNED WITH A NON-ADJUSTABLE FIXED ANGLE BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. *TS AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER HAS POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *NM

20050302EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTIFIED LTR RE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS ON A 2004 PARK AVENUE, REQUESTS A DEFECTIVE INVESTIGATION AND A REFUND. *BF THE HIGH AND LIGHT BEAM LIGHTS ARE MADE AS A SINGLE FIXED UNIT NOT ALLOWING THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES TO ADJUST EITHER, INDEPENDENT OF THE OTHER. *NM

Compare 2004BUICKPARK AVENUE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE have?
The 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE has 17 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE?
The most-complained component for the 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS and WHEELS:RIM.
Is the 2004 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.