2003 Buick Park Avenue
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 11 of 33 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more crash reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 32 in 2002 to 33 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,900 | 2,950–4,100 | 2,950–4,100 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 20 | 19–21 | 19–21 | 20–21 | 20–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 26–27 | 16–17 / 25–27 | 16–17 / 25–27 | 16–18 / 26–27 | 17–18 / 26–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444 | 423–468 | 423–468 | 423–444 | 423–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 57 | 32 | 33 | 12 | 8 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 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 2003 Buick Park Avenue have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2003 Buick Park Avenue?
Engine: 11 of 33 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Buick Park Avenue?
EPA estimates $2,950–$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 | Premium | Large Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 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 (1)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK · Campaign 02V328000 · Dec 19, 2002
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE MAY BE INSTALLED OR FORCED OUT OF THE PROPER POSITION.
Consequence: IF THE CABLE IS OUT OF THE PROPER POSITION, IT COULD INCREASE THE FORCE REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE AND A PERSON TRAPPED IN THE TRUNK MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE THE TRUNK LATCH USING THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SECURE THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE CABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE OPERATES PROPERLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.