4.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,000 miles

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problem #6

Feb 152003

Park Avenue

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
My number one problem with this car is the plastic intake manifold failed under normal use. This allowed coolant to mix with the oil while I was driving on the highway in heavy traffic. The result was that the main bearings were destroyed and I had to buy a new engine. (I have the original plastic intake manifold in my possession.) the problem is that the plastic intake manifold can not withstand the heat generated by the egr valve and eventually suffers from thermal fatigue at the egr and stress relaxation around the flange of the manifold. I notified GM of the problem in writing and they offered me $800 compensation for my $5,000 problem. They told me that my engine was probably on its last legs. I told them that the car has been babied and offered up results of the mandatory emissions test that the car underwent not 3 weeks prior to failure as proof that the car was in good running order. (in toronto, all vehicle owners must submit their cars for emissions testing every 2 years. The car is measured for hydro carbon output, nox output, co, and CO2. If the engine had been malfunctioning, it would have been qualified.) this problem would not have occurred if GM didn't switch from aluminum to plastic. Other problems with the car include a rear window defogger that caught on fire, - 3'rd alternator, 2nd battery, a security system that sounds while driving down the street, water in the trunk (several attempt to repair, ended up drilling a hole in the trunk), failed ac compressor, failed heated seat, several instrument control light bulbs have burned out and can not be replaced, you have to replace the entire instrument. The rear brake rotors that warp every 35,000 km. - fuel gauge that doesn't work below a quarter tank. If you would like copies of correspondence sent to GM, let me know. Regards doug webb 13 brumell avenue toronto, Ontario M6S 4G3 doug.webb@sympatico.ca 905-238-0007 ex. 2624 (daytime)

- Toronto, UN, USA

problem #5

Oct 152003

Park Avenue

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
The heater in the seat quit working. A new one was installed and it doesn't heat up correctly. The motor in the window failed. The rotors/brakes were warped. The stereo failed. The window will not roll up correctly despite a new one being put in. The starter is dragging. Some of this was covered under the smart choice extended warranty. However some of the repairs are still needed and I still have time remaining on my smart choice warrranty but they have went bankrupt and my dealer says the warranty is no longer valid and I will have to pay for any repairs done.

- Holdrege, NE, USA

problem #4

Jan 051999

Park Avenue

  • miles
Water pump failed. Nlm

- Sherwood, AR, USA

problem #3

Jan 041999

Park Avenue

  • miles
Fuel gauge failed. Nlm

- Sherwood, AR, USA

problem #2

Apr 011997

(reported on)

Park Avenue

  • miles
Service engine light comes on.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 011997

Park Avenue

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Difficulty seeing dashboard controls due to dash top design.

- Forreston, IL, USA