1997 Buick Park Avenue
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 54 of 219 complaints (25%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 59 in 1996 to 219 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100 | 2,950–4,100 | 3,100–4,100 | 3,100–3,300 | 3,100–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 20 | 19–21 | 19–20 | 19–20 | 19–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 26 | 16–17 / 25–27 | 16–17 / 24–26 | 16–17 / 25–26 | 16–17 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444 | 423–468 | 444–468 | 444–468 | 444–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 117 | 59 | 219 | 246 | 140 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 4 | 21 | 29 | 22 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Buick Park Avenue have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Buick Park Avenue?
Airbags & Restraints: 54 of 219 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Buick Park Avenue get?
EPA rates it 19–20 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Buick Park Avenue?
EPA estimates $3,100–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 444 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 46 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 24 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 39 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 54 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING · Campaign 00V117000 · May 2, 2000
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WHEN THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE BELT MAY BE UNUSABLE.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · Campaign 97V064000 · May 1, 1997
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · Campaign 97V036000 · Mar 24, 1997
Defect: 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."
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.