Model year record

1997 Buick Park Avenue

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 355 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V117000

Seat belts: front: webbing

Component
Seat belts: front: webbing
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
77,952
Reported to NHTSA
2000-04-18
Owners notified
2000-08-31

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V064000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
156,910
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-28
Owners notified
1997-05-28

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V036000

Seats: mid/rear assembly

Component
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
20,959
Reported to NHTSA
1997-03-11
Owners notified
1997-03-26

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 risk

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline25
Seat belts: front: retractor2490,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2267,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1360,456 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1216,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery11
Seat belts: front: webbing1144,000 mi
Seat belts10116,993 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine9115,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage8
Structure: body: door8
Fuel system, gasoline7119,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor729,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls772,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator6
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar6
Structure: frame and members6104,523 mi
Unknown or other672,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers5
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys5109,229 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch5
Power train530,000 mi
Suspension: front5
Vehicle speed control5155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system479,850 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4
Service brakes, hydraulic447,800 mi
Steering: rack and pinion469,973 mi
Suspension4
Air bags: frontal376,000 mi
Electrical system391,050 mi
Electrical system: wiring3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap3
Seats: front assembly: power adjust3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Steering380,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer360,000 mi
Electrical system: horn2
Electrical system: starter assembly2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine2150,000 mi
Equipment2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Exterior lighting289,494 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump228,501 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system2
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Steering: column2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2100,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump297,500 mi
Suspension: rear2
Visibility: windshield2
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe194,000 mi
Equipment: electrical184,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights1120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel/propulsion system1110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft190,120 mi
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator1
Seat belts: front1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)157,491 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Structure1140,000 mi
Structure: body1129,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Tires1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels180,000 mi

The 1996 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.