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…
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.
- Engineering Analysis EA02-030: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed March 9, 2004
- Recall Query RQ03-001: POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Closed September 15, 2003
- Preliminary Evaluation PE02-050: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed October 22, 2002
- Engineering Analysis EA00-002: FRONT SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION
Closed May 2, 2000
- Preliminary Evaluation PE99-056: FRONT SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION
Closed January 6, 2000
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.
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