VehicleVerdict

2003 Buick Park Avenue problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2003 Buick Park Avenue sits mid-pack among Park Avenue years: 38 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 52, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (32% of the total).

38

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Park Avenue years?

Park Avenue NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Park Avenue years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Buick Park Avenue problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1232%
Electrical System718%
Tires & Wheels616%
Brakes38%
Suspension25%
Steering13%
Body & Structure13%
Transmission13%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Fuel System13%
Latches & Locks13%
Other13%
Seat Belts13%

Does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY SISTER WAS THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DOWN A CITY STREET. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER OR THE MIRACULOUSLY THE VEHICLE RE-STARTED QUICKLY. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE SYMPTOMS OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 10, 2014

“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SUDDENLY LIGHTS STARTED GOING OFF ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND SATIABILITY CONTROL WERE OUT. NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY OR CONTACT SOMEONE TO GIVE ME A LIFT HOME I PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST BUICK DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 26, 2015 · crash

“I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A SET OF UNIROYAL TIRES THAT I PURCHASED 2 YEARS AGO, WITHIN 11,000 MILES THE FIRST SEPARATED, AT 22,763 THE SECOND TIRE SEPARATED, AT 30,875 THE THIRD TIRED SEPARATED. THESE TIRES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, WHO KNOWS HOW MANY MORE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE THAT ARE BEING USED BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 19, 2010

“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SUDDENLY LIGHTS STARTED GOING OFF ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND SATIABILITY CONTROL WERE OUT. NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY OR CONTACT SOMEONE TO GIVE ME A LIFT HOME I PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST BUICK DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 26, 2015 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A WIND-LIKE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED, THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. THERE WAS ALSO A TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING TO EITHER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 7, 2006

2003 Buick Park Avenue — common questions

Is the 2003 Buick Park Avenue reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 38 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Park Avenue year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2003 Park Avenue problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (12 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), tires & wheels (6 complaints).

Does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 Buick Park Avenue. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.