Buick PARK Avenue Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Buick PARK Avenue options? We analyzed 6 model years (2000–2005) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Buick PARK Avenue? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Buick PARK Avenue has 247 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls across model years 2000–2005. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2000 drew the most complaints; 2005 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Buick
- Model
- PARK Avenue
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2005 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 247
- Safety recall campaigns
- 7
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Fire-related complaints
- 19
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (82 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2005 (8 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Buick PARK Avenue: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe BUICK PARK AVENUE has 247 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. 10 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 247 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 7 federal recall campaigns
- 10 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
7 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2005. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 247 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
247 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Rust got to the back end of this car it is completely detached this car is not safe in any shale or form. The backend could fall apart at any moment and completely make the tires and everything else fall right off. It has only been inspected by me and I am 100%sure it is rusted through and through. Just don't wanna see someone get hurt. The car vibrates on the highway.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY CAR STARTED SMOKING BY THE MANIFOLD GASKETS UPON ME STARTING IT..I LEFT IT PARKED IN DRIVEWAY APPOX 2 -3 WEEKS , WHILE I DROVE MY 2ND VEHICLE...THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAD THIS PROBLEM WHENEVER MY VEHICLE SITS 2- 4 WEEKS ...THIS DO NOT MAKE SENSE TO MY CUS IT HAD NO PROBLEMS BEFORE I PARKED IT..ITS OBVIOUS I CAN'T DRIVE 2 VEHICLES AT THE SAME TIME HOWEVER EVERYTIME IT ITS FOR 2-4 WEEKS I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD GASKET EITHER..THIIS HAVE HAPPEN TO ME AND A FEW OF MY NEIGHBORS AS WELL..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIME TWICE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (RICHIE'S AUTO REPAIR IN CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION MODULE AND A COIL WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY CHRISTI ANSON CHEVROLET (9700 INDIANAPOLIS BOULEVARD HIGHLAND, INDIANA) FOR THE SAME FAILURE BACK ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 AND DECEMBER 15, 2012. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MOVE INDEPENDENTLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND BRUISES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I HAVE BEEN SMELLING OIL BURNING SMELL WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR FOR A WHILE. TODAY I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT'S "UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD/COOLANT LEAK. HE FOUND RECALLS ON PREVIOUS YEARS. HE ADVISED ME TO TALK TO GM. GM DIDN'T FIND ANY RECALL ON MY VIN AND TOLD ME I CAN'T BE COVERED. HOWEVER I FOUND MANY COMPLAINS BY OWNERS OF OTHER MODELS AND YEARS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT 2002 MODELS WERE NOT REPORTED TO BE COVERED BY A RECALL. GM CONNECTED ME TO A BUICK DEALER IN MY AREA. THE PERSON WHO I SPOKE WITH WAS VERY RUDE AND UNCOOPERATIVE. *TR
Read 14 more owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POST. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT ON THE EYEBROW, LIP AND SEVERAL BROKEN TEETH DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,127.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. DR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY REGAINED POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER FOUND A LEAK IN THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET. THE UPPER INTAKE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFORMED AND CAUSED A COOLING FLUID LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE SEEN FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED WITH NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DRIVING WITH THE DEFROSTER ON FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES WHEN THE WINDOW STARTED TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000. *TR
DROVE 2.5 MILES FROM STORE,PARKED IN DRIVEWAY ,WENT IN HOUSE, 3MINS LATER HEARD EXPLOSION,CAR ENGINE IN FLAMES,BURNED FOR 20 MINS UNTIL FIRE DEPT EXTINGUISHED. *KB
ON 12/24/2007 THE RIGHT REAR POWER WINDOW ON MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE BROKE. IT WAS REPAIRED AT A BUICK DEALERSHIP ON 12/28/2007. THIS IS THE THIRD POWER WINDOW TO BREAK. THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW BROKE ON 6/28/2007 AND THE LEFT REAR WINDOW BROKE ON 12/4/2007. THESE WINDOWS ALL BROKE IN THE DOWN POSITION, SO A REPAIR IS NECESSARY. ALL WINDOW HAD VERY FEW OPERATIONS. I WOULD ESTIMATE NO MORE THAN 100 OPERATIONS FOR THE FRONT WINDOWS AND NO MORE THAN 50 OPERATIONS FOR THE REAR WINDOWS. THE RELIABILITY OF THE WINDOWS SHOULD BE BASED ON OPERATIONS AND NOT MILEAGE. *TR
BOTH OF THE REGULATORS IN THE FRONT DOORS OF MY VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. THIS HAS CAUSE THE PANE IN THE WINDOW TO SLIDE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE FIRST ONE DID IT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE VACATIONING IN OHIO IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. THE SECOND WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK ONE MORNING. I CALLED THE BUICK CS LINE TO REPORT IT, BEFORE I KNEW OF OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT IN TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED YET THE ONLY THING I WAS TOLD BY A TECH THERE WAS THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT NEVER IN MY TYPE VEHICLE. WELL I KNOW OF TWO OTHERS WITH RENDEZVOUS AS WELL AS RAINIER AND LE SABERS. I WENT ONLINE AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON THE BUICK WEBSITE AND STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED WITH A SOLUTION. I FEEL THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. ESPECIALLY IF BUICK HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN SEVERAL VEHICLES. EVEN WITH POSSIBILITY OF THIS BEING DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN, IT IS NOT EVEN AFFORDABLE FOR A SINGLE PARENT LIKE ME TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE OUTSIDE OF A GM REPAIR FACILITY. *TR
ON 9/30/2007, I ROLLED MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOWN TO PAY FOR PARKING AT BWI AIRPORT. THE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. I PICKED UP SOME FRIENDS AND WE HEADED TO BALTIMORE MARYLAND WHERE WE HAD A RESERVATION FOR LUNCH. THE HIGHWAY HAD BEEN SCORED FOR FUTURE RE-SURFACING, SO THERE WAS MORE DEBRIS THAN USUAL. A PASSING CAR KICKED UP A STONE AND IT WENT PAST MY HEAD AND HIT MY PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT AT 60 MPH. FORTUNATELY, IT DIDN'T HIT ANYONE IN THEIR EYE OR ELSE THEIR INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IN 2007, THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. IT HAD 84,000 MILES. COINCIDENTALLY MY CO-WORKER'S 2002 RENDEZVOUS DID THE SAME THING. BECAUSE OF THE BROKEN GAUGE I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD. *TR
2002 BUICK LESABRE - WINDOW REGULATORS CONSISTENTLY FAIL. *TR
ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES PREMATURELY. THIS STARTED AFTER DEALER REPLACED BACK BRAKES. ABS MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT, INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Showing 20 of 247 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Buick PARK Avenue
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Buick PARK Avenue, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Buick PARK Avenue has 247 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Buick PARK Avenue has 7 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 10 of the Buick PARK Avenue's 247 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Buick PARK Avenue vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Buick PARK Avenue vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Buick PARK Avenue has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Buick PARK Avenue stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Buick PARK Avenue by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Buick PARK Avenue.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Buick PARK Avenue reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Buick PARK Avenue reliable?
Poor. The Buick PARK Avenue has 247 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Buick PARK Avenue years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (82 complaints), 2001 (65 complaints), 2002 (44 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Buick PARK Avenue problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (43 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (35 complaints); VISIBILITY (25 complaints).
Does the Buick PARK Avenue have recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Buick PARK Avenue. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.