The Buick Park Avenue has 15 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1991–2003. On average a defect was admitted 1.47 years after the car was built, the slowest took 6 years. The most recalled system is Service Brakes, Hydraulic (4 campaigns). Owners also filed 856 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Buick Park Avenue
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have internal fluid leaks in the brake hydraulic control unit
Risk. When the rear brake proportioning, antilock brake, traction control, or stability control feature is activated in some driving situations, the feature may not perform as designed
Fix. Dealers will inspect the ABS hydraulic modulator unit and if necessary, replace the hydraulic modulator
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake booster to pedal assembly attachment nuts may be loose
Risk. If these nuts are loose, the brake pedal may be low, the assembly may be loose, the brakes may not release, and if the nuts back completely off, braking may be lost. Also fume and water intrusion to the passenger compartment can occur
Fix. Dealers will replace any missing brake booster to brake pedal assembly nuts and tighten all four (4) nuts to specified torque
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with incorrect front brake rotor, brake caliper assembly, brake pads, and caliper mounting bracket on either the left or right side of the vehicle
Risk. A vehicle with this condition can pull to one side during a braking maneuver. In addition, vehicle stopping distance could be increased
Fix. Dealers will inspect for correct brake parts and replace any incorrect rotors, caliper assemblies, brake pads, and caliper mounting brackets
Fuel System, Gasoline 2 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. 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
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. 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
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. 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
Fix. 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
Seat Belts 2 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. When the shoulder belt webbing becomes jammed in the retractor, the belt may be unusable
Fix. Dealers will inspect for the presence of updated front shoulder belt bezels and where necessary, install new front seat shoulder belt opening bezel kits
What's wrong. 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
Risk. When the shoulder belt webbing becomes jammed in the retractor, the belt may be unusable
Fix. Dealers will inspect for the presence of updated front shoulder belt bezels and where necessary, install new front seat shoulder belt opening bezel kits
What's wrong. These vehicles were assembled with one or more incorrect safety belt and/or safety belt buckle ends. This does not conform with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: if an incorrect part is used, the belt may not latch properly, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant should a vehicle crash occur
Fix. Dealers will inspect all front and rear safety belt latch ends and safety belt buckles for correct parts and replace any incorrect parts
Latches/locks/linkages 1 Read
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the emergency trunk release handle may be installed or forced out of the proper position
Risk. If the cable is out of the proper position, it could increase the force required to activate the emergency trunk release handle and a person trapped in the trunk may not be able to release the trunk latch using the emergency trunk release handle
Fix. Dealers will secure the emergency trunk release cable to ensure that the emergency trunk release handle operates properly. Owner notification began december 19, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should…
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the emergency trunk release handle may be installed or forced out of the proper position
Risk. If the cable is out of the proper position, it could increase the force required to activate the emergency trunk release handle and a person trapped in the trunk may not be able to release the trunk latch using the emergency trunk release handle
Fix. Dealers will secure the emergency trunk release cable to ensure that the emergency trunk release handle operates properly. Owner notification began december 19, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should…
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the emergency trunk release handle may be installed or forced out of the proper position
Risk. If the cable is out of the proper position, it could increase the force required to activate the emergency trunk release handle and a person trapped in the trunk may not be able to release the trunk latch using the emergency trunk release handle
Fix. Dealers will secure the emergency trunk release cable to ensure that the emergency trunk release handle operates properly. Owner notification began december 19, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should…
Visibility 1 Read
What's wrong. 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 system controller
Risk. If microprocessor "latch-up" occurs, the customer will not be able to operate the system in both the lower and high-speed modes required by the standard
Fix. Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover which contains the microprocessor
What's wrong. 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 system controller
Risk. If microprocessor "latch-up" occurs, the customer will not be able to operate the system in both the lower and high-speed modes required by the standard
Fix. Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover which contains the microprocessor
Seats 1 Read
What's wrong. These vehicles were assembled with center rear seat belt anchor bolts not properly installed. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat belt system would not withstand the required load and injury to the seat occupant could occur
Fix. Dealers will tighten the center rear seat belt anchor bolts to specification
Electrical System 1 Read
What's wrong. These vehicles were assembled with a malfunction alarm, lighting and locking (mall) module that can contain a damaged capacitor. If the capacitor is damaged, the "key in the ignition" warning chime and the driver seat belt unbuckled warning chime and indicator lamp may not work. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection" and fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." in addition, other chime reminder functions, interior lighting controls, and power door locking features are also affected
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance; the driver may not be aware that the key was left in the ignition or that the safety belt was not buckled
Fix. Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
What's wrong. The driver side headlamp lens has an incorrect aim pad number on the lens. This does not comply with fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: if these head lamps are re-aimed using a mechanical aiming device that utilizes the aiming pad numers, the resultant aim would be out of the specified range. This may cause a visibility problem increasing the potential for a vehicle accident
Fix. Dealers will replace the driver side headlamp on vehicles with the correct outboard lower pad number
Power Train 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads
Risk. Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid
Fix. Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads
Risk. Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid
Fix. Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines
Parking Brake 1 Read
What's wrong. When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes
Risk. Depending on the extent of the lever release and roadlevel. The parking brake may not hold the vehicle, allowing it to roll, whichcould result in an accident. Vehicle does not comply with fmvss 105
Fix. Replace parking brake lever assembly
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 1.47 years |
| Slowest campaign | 6 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 10.5% |
| Campaigns on record | 15 |
Which Park Avenue years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Latches/locks/linkages | |
| 2002 | Latches/locks/linkages | |
| 2001 | Visibility | |
| 2000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1999 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1998 | Seat Belts | |
| 1997 | Seat Belts | |
| 1996 | Electrical System | |
| 1995 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1993 | Power Train | |
| 1992 | Power Train | |
| 1991 | Parking Brake |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Buick Park Avenue have?
15 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1991–2003. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Park Avenue still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 1.47 years, and the slowest campaign came 6 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.