VehicleVerdict

2001 Buick Park Avenue problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2001 Buick Park Avenue sits mid-pack among Park Avenue years: 71 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 52, with 2 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 6 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (13), electrical system (11), and steering (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

71

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

6

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Park Avenue years?

Park Avenue NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Park Avenue years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Buick Park Avenue problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1318%
Electrical System1115%
Steering913%
Visibility & Wipers811%
Speed Control68%
Fuel System68%
Transmission57%
Lighting34%
Airbags34%
Seat Belts23%
Body & Structure23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Suspension11%

Does the 2001 Buick Park Avenue have recalls?

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

02V328000Latches & LocksDecember 9, 2002 · 43,980 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE MAY BE INSTALLED OR FORCED OUT OF THE PROPER POSITION.

Consequence

IF THE CABLE IS OUT OF THE PROPER POSITION, IT COULD INCREASE THE FORCE REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE AND A PERSON TRAPPED IN THE TRUNK MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE THE TRUNK LATCH USING THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL SECURE THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE CABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE OPERATES PROPERLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.

00V346000Visibility & WipersOctober 30, 2000 · 35,302 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A WIPER SYSTEM MICROPROCESSOR THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO VOLTAGE TRANSIENTS, WHICH CAN CAUSE A "LATCH-UP" CONDITION IN THE SYSTEM CONTROLLER.

Consequence

IF MICROPROCESSOR "LATCH-UP" OCCURS, THE CUSTOMER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPERATE THE SYSTEM IN BOTH THE LOWER AND HIGH-SPEED MODES REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER WHICH CONTAINS THE MICROPROCESSOR.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“OUR 2001 BUICK HAS HAD A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IT IS THE SAME CAUSE AS THIS RECALL- [XXX] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -CLOSE INVESTIGATION SUBJECT : ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES , 1 RECALL(S) DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: OCT 22, 2002 DATE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 19, 2016 · fire

“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR AFTER THE IGNITION WAS CRANKED FOR LESS THAN ONE SECOND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITHIN A MINUTE DUE TO ACCESS OF A NEARBY FIRE EXTINGUISHER. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE ENTIRE INTAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 6, 2014 · fire

“DT: 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON JULY 14, 2005. THEY FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD HAD GONE BAD. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 33,939 MILES ON IT. THE CONSUMER DECIDED TO HAVE BOTH TIE RODS FIXED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 14, 2005

“HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON THE VEHICLE BECOME FOGGED OVER SO BADLY THAT YOU CANNOT SEE THE ROAD VERY CLEARLY AT NIGHT. THIS IS DUE TO THE AUTO MAKERS USING PLASTIC FOR THE LENS COVER INSTEAD OF USING GLASS ON THE ASSEMBLIES, IF THEY USED GLASS THERE WOULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 1, 2011

“VEHICLE WOULD MAKE WEIRD NOISES; FIRST TIME WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURN, WAS GRINDING AND THEN STOPPING. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO JERK FORWARD. THEN, A THUMPING NOISE BEFORE SUDDENLY ACCELERATING. HAD HAPPENED EVERY FEW YARDS. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING AFTER TEST DRIVING. SECOND WAS IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 23, 2001 · crash

2001 Buick Park Avenue — common questions

Is the 2001 Buick Park Avenue reliable?

It is close to typical for the Park Avenue: 71 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2001 Park Avenue problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (13 complaints), electrical system (11 complaints), steering (9 complaints).

Does the 2001 Buick Park Avenue have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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 2001 Buick Park Avenue under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.