1996 Buick PARK AVENUE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 37 complaints (10.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 8.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 3; Tires: 3; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2000: 3; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 10; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10107137 · 2005-01-10 (January 10, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES,AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10107137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153346 · 2006-03-21 (March 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE STARTER, TIMING BELT, AND ELECTRONIC COMPUTER RELAY WAS REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. A NHTSA RECALL, # 96V116000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETED BY THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE STALLING ISSUE REMAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHILE …
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126395 · 2005-06-23 (June 23, 2005)
DT: 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE, THE IGNITION WAS ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE CONSUMER HAD JUST STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN 3 MINUTES AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, ON JUNE 15, THEN ON JUNE 20 THE VEHICLE WAS JUST TURNED ON AND THE CONSUMER HAD JUST SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296637 · 2009-12-21 (December 21, 2009)
THREE OF THE FOUR REAR SUB-FRAME BOLTS RUSTED AWAY, ALLOWING THE SUB-FRAME TO DROP ON ONE SIDE AFFECTING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT WHEELS. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FOR THE SUSPENSION IS ATTACHED TO THE SUB-FRAME. IF THE FOURTH BOLT WAS RUSTED AS BAD AS THE OTHER THREE, THE WHOLE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WOULD DROP ALONG WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND STEERING LINKAGES DISMOUNTING CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL FOR VIN #-- I AM AWAY FROM HOME AND DO NOT HAVE VIN AT THIS TIME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296637 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10123985 · 2005-08-19 (August 19, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER HAS SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL #95V204000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER. MANUFACTURER SAID CONSUMER'S VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. DEALER SAID SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE PART IN CAR REPAIRED (THE CAPACITOR), BUT WOULD GIVE HER THE REMOTE FOR FREE. *TT CONSUMER ADDED THAT THE CAPACITOR IS BROKEN THEREFORE THE REMOTE CANNOT BE PROGRAMMED TO WORK. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10123985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146289 · 2005-12-28 (December 28, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 95V204000 CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10146289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103131 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE RACK AND PINION BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. CONSUMER COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BOLTS HELD THE RACK AND PINION TO THE FRAME. STEERING WAS IMPAIRED ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 737078 · 2000-11-30 (November 30, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING CAR WILL STALL OUT. I MUST PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART, WHICH IT ALWAYS DOES. BUT, IT STALLS WHEN I AM MAKING A TURN, WHEN I AM PROCEEDING DOWN A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP, WHEN I AM SLOWING IN TRAFFIC. I SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I KNOW OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER BUICK/GM OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD A NEW PART PUT IN, IT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM IS BACK. I NOTICED TWO OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED WHEN I SEARCHED THE DATABASE FOR COMPLAINTS AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737078 at NHTSA ↗