1996 Buick Park Avenue problems
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Buick Park Avenue. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 15% of complaints. After that come electrical system (15%) and engine (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 68 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 15% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 112,000 miles 26 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 5 |
What the data shows
Among the 26 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 112,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 7 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 90% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Buick Park Avenue with enough data (18 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
When the vehicle was being jump started top of the engine blew off and caught fire. The vehicle is being repaired.
Heating element in the drivers side seat has caused burn marks to appear in leather material of seat. There was no open fire. However, material was burned, and could be considered a safety defect. Seat padding as well as leather seat covering was burned from bottom to surface of seat.
While parking, the front air bags inadvertently deployed. Consumer sustained minor burns. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled at various speeds. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the starter, timing belt, and electronic computer relay was replaced. Afterwards, the problem persisted and the vehicle was seen by a dealer. A NHTSA recall, # 96v116000 concerning the fuel system was completed by the dealer however, the stalling issue remained. The vehicle was taken back to the independent repair shop for further inspection of the fuel pump assembly.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick park avenue with bridgestone insginia tires, size: p225 60 rx16. The contact stated that the front passenger side tire would wear prematurely. The tires were not rotated. The failure mileage of the vehicle was 200,000 and the tire failure mileage was 10,000. .. Updated 11/25/11 updated 12/12/11 the consumer wants to cancel his complaint. 02/06/12