2003 Buick Park Avenue: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Buick Park Avenue: 1 recall, 33 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #02V328000 · 2002 · 43,980 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the emergency trunk release handle May be installed or forced out of the proper position.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will secure the emergency trunk release cable to ensure that the emergency trunk release handle operates properly. Owner notification began December 19, 2002.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (7): the most common themes are leaks (4).
- Electrical (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Tires (5): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (5).
- Engine (4): the most common themes are leaks (2).
The 2003 Buick Park Avenue has 33 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 16 Park Avenue model years for complaints (well below the 81 average). Complaints peaked in 2004 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 52,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (32 complaints, 1 recalls), 2004 (12 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 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 2003 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.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2003 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 2003 Buick Park Avenue problems?
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (7), electrical (5), tires (5).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 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.