The most-reported Park Avenue run is 1G4CW52K8W4 (1998 builds) with 27 complaints, 8.2× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 25% of reports; 1998 is the worst model year at 6.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for Park Avenue model years 1991–2003.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Park Avenue has 263 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 13% of every Park Avenue complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G4CW52K8W4•••••• | 1998 | 1 | 5 | |
| 1G4CW52K9V4•••••• | 1997 | — | 3 | |
| 1G4CW52K7W4•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 1G4CW52K1W4•••••• | 1998 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1G4CW52K6W4•••••• | 1998 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1G4CW52K4V4•••••• | 1997 | — | 3 | |
| 1G4CW52K2W4•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 | |
| 1G4CW52K3V4•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 1G4CW52K5W4•••••• | 1998 | — | 3 | |
| 1G4CW52K6V4•••••• | 1997 | — | 1 | |
| 1G4CW52K9W4•••••• | 1998 | — | 3 | |
| 1G4CW52K4W4•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 251 Park Avenue runs has 13 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 10 Park Avenue VINs so far, most often 1999, 2002, 2005 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Park Avenue the gap between build years is 6.7×: a 1998 car draws 6.7 complaints per run, a 2004 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 2004 | 10 | 10 | — | |
| 2003 | 29 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 30 | 15 | 3 | |
| 2001 | 47 | 17 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 73 | 34 | 3 | |
| 1999 | 112 | 27 | 1 | |
| 1998 | 202 | 30 | 4 | |
| 1997 | 187 | 41 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 39 | 21 | 2 | |
| 1995 | 85 | 32 | 4 | |
| 1994 | 37 | 27 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1998 at 6.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Buick Park Avenue owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 201 of 856 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 46 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 21 | |
| Seat Belts | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 7 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | — | |
| Fuel System | — | 14 | |
| Gasoline | — | 13 | |
| Steering | 2 | 2 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 15 recall campaigns on the Buick Park Avenue; the 6 below cover build years 1992 to 2003. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 02V328000 | Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:lock | 2001–2003 |
| 04V090000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery | 1998–2000 |
| 00V346000 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer | 2000–2001 |
| 00V117000 | Seat Belts:front:webbing | 1997–1998 |
| 96V015000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines | 1992–1993 |
| 00V114000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 2000 |
02V328000 was opened in 2002 on cars built from 2001: 1 year on the road before the recall.
The Park Avenue against its rivals
The Park Avenue draws 3.3 complaints per production run; the Cadillac Deville 3 and the Chrysler Concorde 3.8.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Park Avenue | 856 | 263 | 3% | |
| Cadillac Deville | 2,216 | 730 | 8.3% | |
| Chrysler Concorde | 1,721 | 450 | 6.3% |
How serious were they
Of the 856 reports on the Buick Park Avenue, 3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Buick Park Avenue | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 856 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 26 (3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 90 (10.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 33 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 48% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Buick Park Avenue share of that is 856 complaints over 263 runs, 0.08% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Park Avenue VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 856 NHTSA complaints from 263 Park Avenue runs and 15 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Park Avenue production run has the most complaints?
1G4CW52K8W4, a 1998 build, with 27 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Park Avenue run has 3.3.
Which Park Avenue years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1998 is heaviest at 6.7 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 1.
Does the Park Avenue get more complaints than the Cadillac Deville?
Yes: 3.3 complaints per production run for the Park Avenue against 3 for the Cadillac Deville.
How many Park Avenue complaints involve a crash?
3% of 856 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 90 involved a fire.
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