1997 Buick Park Avenue: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Buick Park Avenue: 3 recalls, 219 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #97V036000 · 1997 · 20,959 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the center rear seat belt anchor bolts to specification.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #97V064000 · 1997 · 156,910 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition can result in an increase in vehicle stopping distance increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #00V117000 · 2000 · 77,952 vehicles
What's wrong: Some of these vehicles have front seat shoulder belts that May twist, allowing the webbing to become jammed in the retractor.
Why it matters: When the shoulder belt webbing becomes jammed in the retractor, the belt May be unusable.
The fix: Dealers will inspect for the presence of updated front shoulder belt bezels and where necessary, install new front seat shoulder belt opening bezel kits.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 21 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (52): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Engine & cooling (44): the most common themes are fire / smoke (15), leaks (12).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (38): the most common themes are noise or vibration (6), brake failure / soft pedal (4).
- Electrical (24): the most common themes are electrical failure (13), fire / smoke (6), leaks (4).
The 1997 Buick Park Avenue has 219 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 16 Park Avenue model years for complaints (2.7× the average Park Avenue year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (36 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 91,525 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (59 complaints, 3 recalls), 1998 (246 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Buick Park Avenue have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Buick Park Avenue problems?
Owners have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (52), engine & cooling (44), brakes (hydraulic) (38).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Buick Park Avenue get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Buick Park Avenue repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.