10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,962 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Buick Park Avenue:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #9

Dec 112012

Park Avenue

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Park Avenue. The contact was driving approximately 1 mph in a parking lot when the heater and rear defroster was engaged. The contact then smelled a burning odor from inside the vehicle and noticed small flames emitting from the rear driver's side window panel. The engine was turned off and the fire was extinguished. The fire department arrived and disconnected the defroster wires. The vehicle was driven from the scene and was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #8

Aug 142005

Park Avenue 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,654 miles
1998 Buick Park Avenue ultra security light comes on. The mechanic stated the door module needed to be replaced and the security module was probably defective.

- Great Falls, MT, USA

problem #7

Jul 152005

Park Avenue 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 1998 Buick Park Avenue wouldn't start because of a line that leaked anti-freeze into the cylinders of the engine. After I took it to the mechaninc and talking with a parts foreman at a local dealership I found out that this was quite common. If it is common why isn't there a recall and why aren't the being fixed free of cost to us owners?

- Mound City, KS, USA

problem #6

Dec 222000

Park Avenue

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle problems with start up/ vehicle fire in engine compartment. The battery had gone dead overnight. (prior to the day of the incident, the battery appeared to be charged) the engine exploded as soon as the key was turned on. There was slippage in the transmission. The intake plentium, fuel rail, the ignition wires, 2 injectors, engine cover shield, oil filler cap, map sensor, PCV cover, and the battery all were replaced.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #5

Mar 042003

(reported on)

Park Avenue

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While the vehicle was being started the engine caught on fire. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The insurance company stated that the cause of the fire was unknown but could have been either electrical or fuel related.

- Kenmore, NY, USA

problem #4

Jul 162001

(reported on)

Park Avenue

  • miles
The seat material is collapsing, consumer believes this problem to be a serious safety concern because the seats are connected to the seat belt, which also affect the electrical system causing the seats to move into another position, disregarding programmed settings, which causes the mirrors to change their pre-programmed position while driving, consumer feels she has been getting the run around for the past six months. Examples of electrical problems include: Doors do not lock, windows get stuck. Consumer states that the seatbelt would not move from its standard position.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #3

Jul 072000

Park Avenue

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving about 55 mph when vehicle lost electrical power and the engine stalled without a warning. Consumer pulled to the side of the road, then restarted the vehicle.

- Dyer, TN, USA

problem #2

Apr 012000

Park Avenue

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes entire electrical system shut off. There was no steering or brakes, etc. Vehicle was taken to a dealership twice for this problem. Dealership was not able to correct the problem. Manufacturer has been contacted.

- Paxinox, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 161998

Park Avenue

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Electrical failure caused seat, clock, radio and auto locks to fail.

- Los Angele, CA, USA