Buick Park Avenue Complaints (1997)

219 consumer complaints on file.

#10240688September 2, 2008
STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY VEHICLE IS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVE WITH 140,000 MILES. I'M THE SECOND OWNER. MY IN-LAWS WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. I GOT THE VEHICLE FROM THEM IN 1999 WITH APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE, I KNOW THE COMPLETE CAR CARE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE. YESTERDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS CAR AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOST OF STEERING CAPABILITIES. NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR BODY DAMAGE DUE TO HER LOW SPEED WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE SPLIT INTO PIECES DUE TO RUST AND THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO FAIL SINCE THE STEERING RACK IS MOUNTED TO THIS ENGINE CRADLE. THE RUST THROUGH OF THIS THE ENGINE CRADLE (OR ENGINE FRAME) WAS CONFIRMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THE 1997 BUICK PARK AVE'S HAD A STEEL ENGINE CRADLE AND THAT THE MOISTURE AND SALT GETS CAUGHT WITHIN THIS BOX FRAME DUE TO IT'S POSITION DIRECTLY BEHIND THE WHEEL WELLS. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT 1998 PARK AVE'S( AND AFTER) HAVE ALUMINUM ENGINE CRADLES BUT THAT THE 1998 PART WILL NOT FIT THE 1997 BUICK PARK AVE. THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO FIND ANOTHER USED ENGINE CRADLE FROM A 1997 BUICK PARK AVE WHICH COSTS APPROXIMATELY $400 TO $500 JUST FOR THE USED PART. THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS TO BUY A NEW ENGINE CRADLE FROM A GM DEALERSHIP FOR APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO $1400. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS ENGINE CRADLE IS A VERY CRITICAL PART OF THE FRAME OF THE CAR AND SHOULD NOT RUST THROUGH WITHIN 10 YEARS. ALL OF THE STEERING CONTROLS ARE MOUNTED TO THIS PART AND WHEN THIS ENGINE CRADLE FAILS ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES ARE LOST. PLEASE REVIEW THIS WEB SITE FOR THE SAME PART FAILURE BY OTHER 1997 BUICK PARK AVE OWNERS (HTTP://WWW.ALLWORLDAUTO.COM/COMMENTS/1997_BUICK_PARK_AVENUE_COMMENTS_AND_COMPLAINTS_C42-256-1997-312-1.HTML. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228646May 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER OF THE 3.8L SUPERCHARGED ENGINE AND DRIPPING ON THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211512December 11, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I DROVE MY CAR OUT TO A RESTAURANT AND PARKED IT. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT TO GO HOME A COUPLE HOURS LATER, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I TRIED IT AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING AND THEN HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS 'LIQUID LOCKED BECAUSE ANTIFREEZE HAD LEAKED INTO A CYLINDER AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE PISTON TO MOVE UP. I AM LOOKING AT 2500 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS AND A WEEK TO GET THE PARTS AND DO IT. THERE ARE TSB'S OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD SHOULDER THE COSTS FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE GASKET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204134September 26, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE ULTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE AND PROVIDED A FIRE REPORT. THE POLICE ARRIVED, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,998 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,998.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200163August 20, 2007
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT CEASED WORKING ON MY 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I PAID FOR A NEW SEATBELT ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION. THEN, ON AUGUST 6TH (TWO WEEKS AGO) 2007, THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BECAME INOPERABLE(THE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT), THEREFORE MAKING IT USELESS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THIS REPAIR DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192399June 4, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183118February 21, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1. !997 BUICK PK. AVE. FRAME RUST OUT WITH FAILURE OF RIGHT FRONT STEERING. LIFE THREATENING DEFECT IN ENGINE CRADLE. 2. ALL 4 ALERO COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED PUNCTURING L FRONT TIRE RISKING LIFE.3. FLOODED PASS. SIDE DUE TO DEFECTIVE FIREWALL BAFFLE ON INTRIGUE.4. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET DEFECTIVE 2 3.8 L. ENGINES REPAIRED PK. AVE. AND INTRIGUE. ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS - NO ADMISSION OR OFFER OF ASSISTANCE THRU GM COMPLAINT MECHANISM EVEN WITH BBB HELP. ALL KNOWN DEFECTS REPORTED ON LINE BY OTHERS. FRAME RUST OUT PUT UNUSUAL BUT CLEARLY DEFECTIVE RISKING MY LIFE - GM REFUSED TO VIEW PARTS. PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK . PROFITS OVER SAFETY. NUMEROUS OTHER SMALL DEFECTS INSIDE AND OUT PK. AVE. FULLY DOCUMENTED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178878January 16, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REPEATABLE, WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE, THE ABS AND TRACTION-OFF WARNING-LIGHTS SUDDENLY COME ON TOGETHER AND STAY ON INDICATING LOSS OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON RESETS THE FUNCTIONS, BUT THEY WILL BECOME DISABLED AGAIN SOMETIME LATER WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD HAPPEN, POSSIBLY FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR SOMEONE, IN AN EMERGENCY JUST BEFORE ONE OF THESE FUNCTIONS IS CALLED UPON TO AVOID A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE OCCURS ON SMOOTH ROADS WITHOUT REGARD TO SPEED. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. THE CAR MAY RUN FOR 200 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM, AND THEN AGAIN THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM STARTING OUT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167432September 6, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT UNDER ANY ROAD CONDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE DUE TO THE LENSES TURNING A MILKY WHITE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163119July 21, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED AND THE ABS BRAKES CYCLED FOR NO REASON CAUSING A GRINDING SOUND TO APPEAR FROM THE TRANSMISSION. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DETERMINING THERE WAS A DEFECT PERTAINING TO THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACT CONTROL MODULE. INFORMATION WAS ALSO FOUND ONLINE REGARDING RECALLS THAT MATCHED VEHICLE'S SYMPTOMS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE ALERTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VIN DID NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156560May 1, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE "CRADLE" OF THE FRAME OF OUR 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE FAILED BY RUSTING THROUGH. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND IT HAS BEEN WALLOWING ALL OVER THE ROAD, HOPPING SIDEWAYS WHEN I HIT BUMPS, PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN I BRAKED AND ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES STARTED SQUEALING WHEN I WENT AROUND A CORNER. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO CONVINCE MY HUSBAND THAT SOMETHING WAS AMISS WITH IT AND PERHAPS IT NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. HE FINALLY DROVE IT YESTERDAY, REALIZED THERE WAS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG, AND DISCOVERED THE PART OF THE FRAME WHERE THE ENGINE RESTS, AND WHERE THE WHEELS ARE ATTACHED, WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AT A SPOT WELD NEAR WHERE THE TIE ROD IS BOLTED ON. IT'S ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT IT DIDN'T COMPLETELY FAIL AND RESULT IN A INJURIOUS ACCIDENT, OR PERHAPS EVEN DEATH. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED WHEN I PLAY BACK IN MY HEAD, DRIVING ON I-696 IN THE RAIN, IN DETROIT, AT NIGHT, WITH MY FRIENDS COMING HOME FROM A NIGHT AT THE FOX THEATRE, OR WHEN MY SONS AND I WENT OUT FOR MY BIRTHDAY. WOULD I BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR IF THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AT 70 MPH? MY BROTHER WORKS FOR JEFFERY BUICK-NISSAN IN ROSEVILLE, MI. I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IT THIS MORNING. HE SAYS THE FRAME SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN A NINE YEAR OLD CAR. IN FACT, HE SAID THERE WAS ANOTHER 1997 BPA IN HIS SHOP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT A CAR FRAME RUSTING THROUGH, EVER. IN ANY CAR. IT STANDS TO REASON THAT IF THERE ARE TWO 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE PROBABLY MORE. I REALIZE THE CAR IS NINE YEARS OLD, BUT SURELY, SOMETHING AS FUNDAMENTAL AS A CAR FRAME CAN BE EXPECTED TO LAST LONGER THAN NINE YEARS. I BELIEVE IT WAS A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR IT. SINCE THIS JUST HAPPENED YESTERDAY, I'VE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT YET. MY BROTHER WILL LOOK AT IT FIRST AND DIRECT ME. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. I'M STRANDED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154057March 14, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1997 PARK AVENUE HAS DIFFICULTIES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE'S ENGINE BLEW UP AT 89,000 MILES BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED IT TO SEIZE. *TS IN SEVEN YEARS THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY FIVE TIMES. ***NAR***
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149949February 10, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON STARTING ENGINE, INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED VIOLENTLY AND ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147687January 13, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL 00V117000 CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED BY THE DEALER IN 2002. BUT THE DEALER ONLY CORRECTED ONE OF THE FRONT SEAT BELTS. THE DEALER FAILED TO INFORM THE CONSUMER THAT ONLY ONE OF SEAT BELTS WAS REPAIRED. IN OCTOBER 2005 BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BEGAN TO RETRACT INTERMITTENTLY AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO MAKE ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. *JB UPDATED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141480November 1, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRONT SUB FRAME OF 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE ROTTED AND COLLAPSED. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AXEL ASSEMBLY PULLED OUT OF SOCKET. PICTURES WERE TAKEN AT THE SEEN AND PICTURES AND VIDEO AT THE DEALER NEXT DAY. REAR SUB FRAME APPEARS TO BE FINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE MAIN FRAME OF A $40,000 PLUS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT FAIL IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS? 100,000 MILES. PICTURES SHOW MUCH DETAIL OF ROT. GM 'S BEST OFFER WAS TO REPLACE SUBFRAME PART ONLY. NO LABOR OR OTHER DAMAGE TO BE PAID FOR. PHOTOS AVAILABLE. PLEASE HELP. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141266October 31, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONTACT S SMELLED GAS AND IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. A FEW DAYS LATER SHE NOTICED A WET SPOT ON THE GROUND. SHE HAD A HARD TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT IT DID START. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BIGGER SPOT ON THE GROUND. SHE THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ,AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED TOWING THE VEHICLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL OF THE FUEL LINES WERE CORRODED. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THIS WAS COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE NORTHEAST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED; THE FUEL LINES ARE BEING REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139485October 12, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE PROBLEM STARTED SOMETIME AROUND THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2005. THE BRAKES WERE NOT HOLDING. THE CONTACT HAD THE REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THE ABS AND TRACTION LIGHT WERE COMING ON. THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION LIGHT, AND A NOISE WERE STILL OCCURRING. NHTSA RECALL 97V064,000 CONCERNING ABS WAS ISSUED. WHEN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING THAT CAME OUT OF IT YET. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133782August 22, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DT: 1997 PARK AVENUE BUICK THE SUB FRAME THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE/ ENGINE DRIVE ,AND STEERING WHEELS CORRODED. THERE WAS FAULTY MATERIAL ON THIS SUB FRAME BECAUSE IT ROTTED, ENABLING THE DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM ITS MOUNTING, AND LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, WHICH WAS UNUSUAL TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. MENTIONED HE HAD NEVER SEEN A PARK AVENUE OF THAT YEAR WHERE THE FRAME ROTTED. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $725.00 WITH LABOR AND USED FRAME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129104August 12, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: CONTACT STATES IN HOT WEATHER 75 DEGREES OR ABOVE AND WITHIN ONE MILE THE CAR WILL DIE. CAN WAIT IT 10-15 MINUTES AND THE CAR WILL RESTART. HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 3 SUMMERS. IT USUALLY HAPPENED IN SLOW TRAFFIC, BUT CONSUMER DID NOT GET OUT ON THE INTERSTATE VERY MUCH; BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF HE DID. THE CAR WOULD DIE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE THE FUEL PUMP OR THE SENSOR IN THE CRANK CASE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOMETIMES CAM EON. . THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. HE HAS NOT TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124881July 8, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, AND WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN. THE FUSE WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL CHARGE THE CONSUMER TO LOOK THE PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED SOMETIMES. THE DEFECT WAS THOUGHT TO BE IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD. *AK BUICK WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT A RECALL WAS SET FOR THE 2001 MAKE/MODEL. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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