VehicleVerdict

1998 Buick Park Avenue problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 327 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.3 times the median Park Avenue year — the 1998 model ranks #2 of 22 Park Avenue years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 116 reports (36% of the total).

327

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

5

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

46

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Park Avenue years?

Park Avenue NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted355 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 16 complaints1987: 14 complaints1988: 21 complaints1989: 28 complaints1990: 12 complaints1991: 134 complaints1992: 104 complaints1993: 102 complaints1994: 63 complaints1995: 164 complaints1996: 68 complaints1997: 355 complaints1998: 327 complaints1999: 174 complaints2000: 104 complaints2001: 71 complaints2002: 41 complaints2003: 38 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 10 complaints
Park Avenue NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Park Avenue years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Buick Park Avenue problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine11635%
Seat Belts3410%
Fuel System3410%
Electrical System309%
Brakes196%
Steering144%
Suspension134%
Transmission124%
Body & Structure103%
Other93%
Latches & Locks82%
Tires & Wheels72%
Visibility & Wipers62%
Speed Control62%
Seats31%
Lighting31%
Airbags31%

Does the 1998 Buick Park Avenue have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V090000Fuel SystemFebruary 24, 2004 · 910,873 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Consequence

THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

00V117000Seat BeltsApril 18, 2000 · 77,952 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELTS THAT MAY TWIST, ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.

Consequence

WHEN THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE BELT MAY BE UNUSABLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF UPDATED FRONT SHOULDER BELT BEZELS AND WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT OPENING BEZEL KITS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE PROBLEMS WITH START UP/ VEHICLE FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *MR THE BATTERY HAD GONE DEAD OVERNIGHT. (PRIOR TO THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, THE BATTERY APPEARED TO BE CHARGED) THE ENGINE EXPLODED AS SOON AS THE KEY WAS TURNED ON. THERE WAS SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE INTAKE PLENTIUM, FUEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 22, 2000 · fire

“VEHICLE PROBLEMS WITH START UP/ VEHICLE FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *MR THE BATTERY HAD GONE DEAD OVERNIGHT. (PRIOR TO THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, THE BATTERY APPEARED TO BE CHARGED) THE ENGINE EXPLODED AS SOON AS THE KEY WAS TURNED ON. THERE WAS SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE INTAKE PLENTIUM, FUEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 22, 2000 · fire

“CONSUMER STATED THAT ON 11/06/03 VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN WHICH HE SUSTAINED INJURIES. WHEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON CONSUMER HIT THE POST OF THE WINDSHIELD, BOUNCED BACK AND WAS THROWN FORWARD. HE HIT HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE SEAT BELT NEVER HELD HIM. CONSUMER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 6, 2003 · crash

“CONSUMER REPORTED TO THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR, TOM SCHAEFER, THAT WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT HEARD A LOUD THUMP, AND THEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OUT. SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MR. SCHAEFER SAID THAT THE CONSUMER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 19, 2002 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN VEHICLE BECOMES HARD TO SLOW DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE.*AK IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 150 TO 200 YARDS BEFORE CONSUMER BEGANS TO FEEL VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PERFORMANCE OF VEHICLE IS NORMAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 1, 2001

1998 Buick Park Avenue — common questions

Is the 1998 Buick Park Avenue reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 327 complaints put the 1998 model at #2 of 22 Park Avenue years. It is one of the Park Avenue years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Park Avenue problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (116 complaints), seat belts (34 complaints), fuel system (34 complaints).

Does the 1998 Buick Park Avenue have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Buick Park Avenue. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Buick Park Avenue under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Park Avenue years should you avoid?

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.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.