MYRModel Year Report

1998 Buick Park Avenue

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Buick Park Avenue
BUILT 2026-09-02

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, 1998 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: 50 complaints 1995: 117 complaints 1996: 59 complaints 1996 1997: 219 complaints 1998: 246 complaints 1998 1999: 140 complaints 1999 2000: 81 complaints 2001: 57 complaints 2002: 32 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2004: 12 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2005
1998: 246 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
198510
19866
198713
198819
198921
199012
199192
199277
199364
199450
1995117
199659
1997219
1998246
1999140
200081
200157
200232
200333
200412
20058

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 41%

41% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 101 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 6 DAYS. WEATHER WAS SLIGHT DRIZZLE, WITH TEMPERATURE ABOUT 50 DEGREES. AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 PM ON 10/25/2002, I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT. I HEARD A LOT POP FROM THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021105

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, JUST HAD VEHICLE SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE. STARTED VEHICLE AND ENGINE EXPLODED, FLAMES ENGULFED VEHICLE. BUICK HAD RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM IN 96 & 97 MODELS. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI report, 20000530

SEAT BELTS 13%

13% of complaints: seat belts — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE HEATER AND REAR DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121213

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing delivery and carburetor system.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 246
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

R 20040630 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004.

Campaign 04V090000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Buick Park Avenue — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (101 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V117000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V090000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 2003 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 1997 ■ 1999 ◆ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Buick Park Avenue reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Buick Park Avenue is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Park Avenue?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Buick Park Avenue have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.