Seat belts: webbing
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.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 219 owner complaints for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue. Most complaints involve seat belts (49) and engine and engine cooling (42). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.
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.
THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TO CYCLE DURING A NON-ABS BRAKE APPLICATION.
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“I OWN A 1997 PARK AVE ULTRA WITH SEVERAL RECALL REPAIR ISSUES THE FOLLOWING WERE ADDRESSED BY GM BUT NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED: (FAULTY) ABS SYSTEM (WITH CAMPAIGN CODE STICKER) REPLACED ABS SYSTEM CUTS OUT RANDOMLY CAUSING CHANGES IN STOPPING DISTANCE (IN SEVERE BRAKING SITUATIONS THE ABS SYSTEM HAS CUT OUT ON ME GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES JUST TO COME TO A NORMAL STOP) FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT(NO CAMPAIGN STICKER) MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR WAS NEVER FIXED OR TORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFIED STANDARDS WHILE IN FOR REPAIRS LET ALONE ADDRESSED AT ALL RACK AND PINION HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES SOME DUE TO AGE AND MILES BUT REGARDLESS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS LOOSE AND BEARINGS ARE SHOT THE FAULTY RECALL REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE DON'T INSTILL TRUST IN GM'S ABILITY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE A SECOND TIME. *TR”
“AFTER 20 MILES OF SMOOTH DRIVING WITH NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG AND WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY OFFICE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY SHUTOFF MY VEHICLE ANY TIME SUCH THING HAPPENS TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, I PROCEEDED TO WALK INTO THE PARTS STORE NEXT TO MY OFFICE TO GET POWER STEERING FLUID DUE TO THE LOW FLUID LEVEL I HAD, HOWEVER WHEN I TRIED TO TURN OVER THE MOTOR THE MOTOR WOULD NOT TURN. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS "HYDROLOCKED" AND THAT THERE IS A COOLANT PASSAGE WHICH IS COMMONLY KNOWN TO LEAK INTO CYLINDER 6 AND LOCKING THE MOTOR REQUIRING THE INTAKE AND GASKETS TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED LESS THAN 30DAYS AFTER MY VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION AT A DEALERSHIP. ALSO NOTING THAT THE DEALER WAS TOLD I WAS LOSING ABOUT A GALLON OF COOLANT WEEKLY. A COOLANT ELBOW WAS REPAIRED, THEN TWO DAYS LATER IS WHEN THE MOTOR LOCKED. *TR”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. CURRENTLY, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WILL ENGAGE DURING BRAKING. OCCASIONALLY, THEY ENGAGE BY THEMSELVES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARS A GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHE IS NOT BRAKING. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,800.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Avenue Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, (FFS) (MPFI) · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Park Avenue Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, (FFS) (MPFI) (S-CHARGE) · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 219 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (49), engine and engine cooling (42), service brakes, hydraulic (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Buick Park Avenue at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).