Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 104 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Park Avenue year — the 1992 model ranks #6 of 22 Park Avenue years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 30 reports (29% of the total).
104
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
1
Investigations
13
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 30 | 29% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 13 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 9 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 8 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 8 | 8% | — flat |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 5 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 5 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 4 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 4 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 4 | 4% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Other | 2 | 2% | — flat |
| Latches & Locks | 2 | 2% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Consequence
VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP DUE TO A STOPPED MOTORIST AHEAD, HOWEVER BRAKES FAILED, CONSUMER SWERVED TO MISS VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BACKHOE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN ACCIDENT, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *SLC”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ON EACH OCCASION, THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. ON MAY 7, 2007, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE,…”
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 4 0 MPH ON A BRIDGE IN BAD WEATHER WHILE CHANGING LANES VEHICLE SKIDDED HORIZONTALLY. A OIL TRUCK HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S FRONT, AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK”
“DEALER REPORTED THAT ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD FROM SHORTS OCCURRING IN ORIGINAL WIRE HARNESS. APPEASR TO BE CAUSED BY LACK OF RELIABLE SHORT PROTECTION (I,E, CIRCUIT BREAKERS, FUSES, ETC,) THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL HAZARD AND COST TO BE BORNE BY THE…”
“HEATED OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR HAS DARKENED, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSOTHE MIRROR HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT DARKNESS REOCCURRED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 104 complaints put the 1992 model at #6 of 22 Park Avenue years. It is one of the Park Avenue years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (30 complaints), engine (13 complaints), airbags (9 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1992 Buick Park Avenue. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Park Avenue years to avoid are 1997, 1998, 1999, 1995, 1991, 2000, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Park Avenue years belongs to 1984.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.