Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Buick Park Avenue problems
Owners filed 12 complaints about the 2004 Buick Park Avenue with NHTSA between Feb 2005 and Aug 2023. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (3).
Complaints
12
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Exterior lighting3
- Electrical system3
- Wheels2
- Visibility/wiper1
- Air bags1
- Structure1
- Equipment adaptive/mobility1
- Engine1
- Visibility1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Tires1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
1
0
0
2
0
1
1
0
4
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Exterior lighting
3 reports
“Head lights automatically shut off while driving at night: 1) The vehicle senses it is after dusk and automatically turns on headlights while starting the engine (Manual head light switch is in off position). 2) Driver therefore doesn't use manual switch to turn on head lights and proceeds to drive. 3) Approximately 10 minutes later, while driving in the dark, the vehicle automatically turns off the head lights resulting in a dangerous dark situation where driver can not see nor can the vehicle be seen by others. 4) The surprised driver must pull on the manual head light switch to regain head lights. 5) This may potentially happen any and every time the car is started after dusk, especially by a driver not familiar with the vehicle or issue.”
Electrical system
3 reports2 fires
“DRIVER SIDE HEATED REAR VIEW MIRROR LOST CLARITY AND THE VIEW IS MINIMAL WITH NO VISION WHEN IT IS DARK. THIS IS FORTH BUICK PARK AVE TO DO THIS . 1997. 2000 2003 2004 DEALER WANTS $545.00 FOR THE GLASS ALONE.”
Wheels
2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN FLUID LEAKING FROM THE WHEELS INTERMITTENTLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A TIRE SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.”
Visibility/wiper
1 report
Air bags
1 report
“SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. *TR”
Structure
1 report
“WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT THEN THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND STEAM STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS THE HEATER HOSE FITTING THAT HAD FAILED. ACCORDING TO MOST DEALERSHIPS THIS IS BECOMING A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.