Research · Large Cars

1999 Buick Park AvenueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 140 owner complaints for the 1999 Buick Park Avenue. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (39) and seat belts (17). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2004
Owner complaints
140
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 24, 2004NHTSA 04V090000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Aug 27, 1999NHTSA 99V238000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 14, 1999NHTSA 99V081000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

140 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 1999 – Dec 2019
  1. Engine and engine cooling39
  2. Seat belts17
  3. Electrical system16
  4. Fuel system, gasoline14
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic14
  6. Structure9
  7. Steering7
  8. Tires7
  9. Power train6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Park Avenue model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199659
1997219
1998246
1999140
200081
200164
200244
200336
200412
20058
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
22
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

39 reports10 fires
“1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC MANIFOLDS AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR TWO ENGINE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 28, 2003, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING AND AGAIN ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014. THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH TIMES, THE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ UPDATED 03/7/16.*JB UPDATED 11/01/2017*CN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2015Engine and engine coolingODI 10731086

Seat belts

17 reports
“1999 BUICK PARK AVE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE LOWER RETRACTION SYSTEM. *TS A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2006Seat beltsODI 10149727

Electrical system

16 reports4 fires
“PERIODICALLY THE ENGINE WILL STOP. THIS WILL GENERALLY OCCUR WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS WOULD CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER. WHEN IT OCCURS IN TRAFFIC OR ON A CURVE THIS IS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS. IT WILL RESTART BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE IGNITION. IT WILL OCCUR ANYWHERE, WHILE TURNING OR DRIVING STRAIGHT. THIS HAS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2016Electrical systemODI 10905742
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Park Avenue
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
Park Avenue
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$4,200468
  • Park Avenue
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Park Avenue
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Buick Park Avenue as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Park Avenue questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Park Avenue have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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.

What are the most common 1999 Buick Park Avenue problems?

Owners filed 140 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (39), seat belts (17), electrical system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Buick Park Avenue get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Buick Park Avenue at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026