NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Buick Park Avenue Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Buick Park Avenue has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 218 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buick dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1997 Buick Park Avenue owner complaints

Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, describing incidents dated October 1, 1996 to October 11, 2019.

Most-cited components

  • Seat Belts 49 complaints
  • Engine 44 complaints
  • Service Brakes 36 complaints
  • Electrical System 21 complaints
  • Power Train 20 complaints
  • Steering 17 complaints

Of the 218 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 21 a fire; across all 218 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11268973 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LITTLE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE REAR DEFROSTER, DISCONNECTED THE…

  • ODI #10824718 · Filed

    WHY WAS THIS CAR NOT RECALLED WITH OTHER GM PRODUCTS WITH THE 3800 V6 ENGINES FOR THE OIL LEAKS? THESE CARS HAVE THE SAME 3800 V6 AS ALL OF THE RECALLED CARS!

  • ODI #10725985 · Filed

    MY PROBLEM IS, THE LEFT BLINKER OF THE FRONT, BACK AND HEADBOARD IS NOT WORKING. BUT IF I PUT ON MY FLASHERS, ALL MY LIGHTS ARE WORKING, INCLUDING THE LEFT BLINKER. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ITS NOT THE LIGHT BULB, AND ITS NOT THE FUSES FROM BOTH THE FRONT AND THE HEADBOARD FUSES BOXES, AND…

Read all 218 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Buick Park Avenue in 5 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/SHOULDER BELTS

NHTSA #00V117000 · Seat Belts — Front — Webbing · NHTSA notice

Reported April 18, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 77,952 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00039 · Owners notified August 31, 2000 · Vehicles built April 1, 1996 – October 31, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

WHEN THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE BELT MAY BE UNUSABLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF UPDATED FRONT SHOULDER BELT BEZELS AND WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT OPENING BEZEL KITS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2000.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 CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/ABS

NHTSA #97V064000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported April 28, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 156,910 vehicles

Owners notified May 28, 1997 · Vehicles built April 1, 1996 – April 15, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEING DURING MAY 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

GM/FMVSS 210

NHTSA #97V036000 · Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 11, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 20,959 vehicles

Owners notified March 26, 1997 · Vehicles built April 1, 1996 – January 31, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 1997.NOTE: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 CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Other Buick Park Avenue model years

Check your 1997 Buick Park Avenue VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buick Park Avenue at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Buick VIN