MYRModel Year Report

1997 Buick Park Avenue

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Buick Park Avenue
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Park Avenue Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 10 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 13 complaints 1987 1988: 19 complaints 1989: 21 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 92 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1993: 64 complaints 1993 1994: 48 complaints 1995: 117 complaints 1996: 59 complaints 1996 1997: 219 complaints 1997 1998: 246 complaints 1999: 140 complaints 1999 2000: 81 complaints 2001: 57 complaints 2002: 32 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2004: 12 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2005
1997: 219 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
198510
19866
198713
198819
198921
199012
199192
199277
199364
199448
1995117
199659
1997219
1998246
1999140
200081
200157
200232
200333
200412
20058

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SEAT BELTS 11%

11% of complaints: seat belts — 24 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CAUSE FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A MISSING SPLIT LOCK RING.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970930

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 219
R 19970326 — seats

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."

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

Campaign 97V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970528 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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

Campaign 97V064000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990902 — PE (closed 20000106)

FRONT SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION

I 20000106 — EA (closed 20000502)

FRONT SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION

R 20000831 — seat belts

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.

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.

Campaign 00V117000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020613 — PE (closed 20021022)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Buick Park Avenue — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V036000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V064000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V117000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 2003 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ■ 1999 ◆ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Buick Park Avenue reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Buick Park Avenue is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Buick Park Avenue?

The most-reported component is seat belts:front:retractor, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Buick Park Avenue have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.