VehicleVerdict

1999 Buick Park Avenue problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 174 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Park Avenue year — the 1999 model ranks #3 of 22 Park Avenue years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 47 reports (27% of the total).

174

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

4

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

29

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Park Avenue years?

Park Avenue NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Park Avenue years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Buick Park Avenue problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4727%
Electrical System1911%
Fuel System1911%
Seat Belts1810%
Brakes169%
Body & Structure95%
Tires & Wheels95%
Steering74%
Transmission74%
Suspension63%
Latches & Locks42%
Speed Control32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Lighting21%
Seats21%
Airbags21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Other11%

Does the 1999 Buick Park Avenue have recalls?

3 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.

99V238000BrakesAugust 27, 1999 · 988 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE.

Consequence

IF THESE NUTS ARE LOOSE, THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE LOW, THE ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE, AND IF THE NUTS BACK COMPLETELY OFF, BRAKING MAY BE LOST. ALSO FUME AND WATER INTRUSION TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.

99V081000BrakesApril 14, 1999 · 38 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR, BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET ON EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION CAN PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING A BRAKING MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE INCREASED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT BRAKE PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT ROTORS, CALIPER ASSEMBLIES, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, HE SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONTO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 21, 2002 · fire

“COLD ENGINE. HIT STARTER AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION. SOON AFTER SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. ENGINE FIRE. CALLED 911 AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT FIRE BEFORE ARIVAL OF FD. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. SUSPECTED DEFECTIVE FUEL REGULATOER THAT ALLOWED GAS FUMES TO ACCUMULATE IN AIR PLENUM. USED LOW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 12, 2002 · fire

“WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THERE WAS ALOUD BANG, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN FLAMES. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED COMPUTER WAS THE CAUSE. VEHICLE HAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 5, 2002 · fire

“NAR 06/19/2003. *MR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM IT'S RECEPTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED PLASTIC PARTS IN THE SEAT BELT RECEPTABLE HAD BEEN GROUNDED UP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 1, 2003

“TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND FAILED TO BRAKE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. AS A RESULT, THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 29, 2018 · crash

1999 Buick Park Avenue — common questions

Is the 1999 Buick Park Avenue reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 174 complaints put the 1999 model at #3 of 22 Park Avenue years. It is one of the Park Avenue years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Park Avenue problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (47 complaints), electrical system (19 complaints), fuel system (19 complaints).

Does the 1999 Buick Park Avenue have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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 1999 Buick Park Avenue under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 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.