1991 Buick Park Avenue Problems
- Complaints
- 92filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 96,688miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Buick Park Avenue (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, above all with the anti-lock system: the pedal dropping to the floor, longer stopping distances, and the ABS light staying on. Complaints in the sampled set span the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s and many of them involve repeated master cylinder or ABS relay/computer work at the dealer. Electrical faults, engine compartment fires, and a few drivability and body issues also appear, but at much lower frequencies.
- Brakes
ABS brake pedal drops to floor / long stopping distance
Mentioned in 21 of 42 sampled complaints
Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor when applied, sometimes during panic stops, highway off-ramps or low-speed maneuvering, with the vehicle continuing to roll and extended stopping distances. Several report the ABS warning light staying on, and that dealers replaced master cylinders, ABS relays, wheel cylinders or brake components without the symptom going away. Some state they were told the whole braking system needed replacement, and a few describe the ABS computer module as the suspected culprit. Reported across a wide mileage range from roughly 40,000 miles upward, in both wet and dry conditions and without warning.
What to check: Ask for service records showing what was done to the ABS and master cylinder, and test the pedal for firmness on a safe road. A pedal that sinks or an ABS light that stays on after start-up is worth having inspected before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“We have had several recurrent problems with this vehicle, yet none of the recurrent problems has been covered by any manufacturers recalls. We have replaced the alternator and battery repeatedly and have had continual electrical problems with the car. We have had constant and recurring problems with the braking system the vehicle. We have had to replace all of the origianl braking components and yet we continue to have problems with the braking system. …”
NHTSA complaint #703284, filed 1999-02“In wet and dry weather conditions, the ABS brakes fail and pedal goes to the floor . After contacting the manufacturer and dealership two master cylinders have been replaced within last one and half years. Yet, the brakes still fail.”
NHTSA complaint #806558, filed 1997-01 - Electrical system
Electrical faults: no-start, windows, lights, steering
- 18 complaints (20%)
- median 93,376 mi at 16.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2006
Owners report intermittent no-start conditions traced to a short in the wiring harness, power windows that fail to move up or down, and low beams that cut out while high beams still work. Several mention repeated alternator and battery replacement, and one describes a burning smell and smoke from the steering column area, with a blown fuse not occurring. Reported from vehicles described as having the problem since new through roughly 100,000 miles, often appearing intermittently rather than as a one-time failure.
What to check: Test every power window, the headlamps on both settings and the restart behavior after a warm shut-off; ask about alternator and battery replacement history and look for spliced or taped wiring.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The reason I am sending this to you is because I feel that the fuse in my car should have blown instead of the inside of the steering column smoking as it did,I am worried about a fire hazard”
NHTSA complaint #704870, filed 1999-03“The lights on the car went out around 2:00 the other night. We were on a dark country road. Trying to determine if something went wrong in tilt steering to cause this. Seems as it is wire broke or something came unplugged. Have already checked fuses.”
NHTSA complaint #10068889, filed 2004-01 - Engine cooling
Engine compartment fires
- 7 complaints (8%)
- typically at 8.5 yrs old
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2000
Owners report fires that started in or near the engine compartment, in one case while the car was parked and unattended after being driven, and in another shortly after dealer repair work and while at a complete stop. Complaints also describe smoke coming from the steering column and concern about wiring and fuse behavior in the electrical system. Reported from vehicles of this vintage without consistent mileage information; several occurred while parked or stopped rather than while moving.
What to check: Look for evidence of previous wiring repairs, scorched connectors or aftermarket electrical work, and have the charging system and underhood wiring inspected on any example with an unknown history.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle caught fire with occupant locked in the vehicle. Car was being parked in the garage at home after a trip to the store. Fire caused vehicles door and window openers to fail. Since this incident I have heard of similar incidents in other vehicles. I am trying to determine if this is happening in other vehicles and what can be done to ensure that other people don't get locked in their vehicles when a fire starts and knocks out the door openers and windows. …”
NHTSA complaint #735266, filed 2000-10“Parked vehicle in parking lot. Went inside restaurant. Someone noticed vehicle burning & notified the restaurant. Fire dept. Arrived & put flames out. Informed the owner that the fire originated near & around the engine area.”
NHTSA complaint #823420, filed 1998-05
Buying note. Brake-system symptoms dominate the reports for this model year, so a thorough brake and ABS inspection with service records matters more here than cosmetics. Expect aged electrical and cooling components, and budget for a pre-purchase check of the parking brake, throttle linkage and underhood wiring.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 42 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 92 consumer complaints for the 1991 Buick Park Avenue. 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,688 miles. Of all complaints, 14 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes59 64%
- Electrical system10 11%
- Engine cooling7 7.6%
- Body and structure4 4.3%
- Exterior lighting3 3.3%
- Vehicle speed control3 3.3%
- Air bags2 2.2%
Also reported: Other or unknown (2), Steering (2), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “When driving at any speed and without prior warning vehicle suddenly accelerated. Brakes were applied and vehicle continued to accelerate, causing extended stopping distances. Consumer noted key had to be removed from ignition in order to stop vehicle. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause of problem. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #882331, filed 2001-03Electrical system: “Turning vehicle off, cannot restart right away. Happening since new. Problem continuous. Power windows failed to work properly (up/down). Took to dealer & mechanic said short in electrical wire harness.”
NHTSA complaint #836276, filed 1999-03Engine cooling: “Brakes go completely to the floor with no warning and no stopping. Ran into curbing to stop and avoid crash. Abs sensors replaced, brakes, drums, master cylinders, brake lines, etc replaced. Pedal still goes to floor and ABS grabs at end of stop. Computer turns off ABS system, but won't report error code or cause. All this has caused brand new tires to wear down to steel belt within 4 months time. Low beams failed but still had highbeams. Low beams come and go. Had to bypass module in order to regain lights. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #768930, filed 2002-10Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 93,376 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 Buick Park Avenue version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Avenue FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V167000Sep 23, 1991Parking brake › Conventional › MechanicalCovers: Buick Park Avenue 1991, Lesabre 1992, Pontiac Bonneville 1992 +2 more
When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.
Recall details for the 1991 Buick Park Avenue → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Buick Park Avenue
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 46,242 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 12 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 33 | 52,500 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 32 | 64,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 57 | 65,434 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 81 | 56,480 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 140 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 246 | 72,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 219 | 91,525 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 59 | 99,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 117 | 108,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 48 | 97,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 64 | 156,510 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 77 | 123,048 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 92 | 96,688 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 12 | 200,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 21 | 127,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 19 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 13 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 6 | 55,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | 118,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Park Avenue model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Buick Park Avenue?
Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, above all with the anti-lock system: the pedal dropping to the floor, longer stopping distances, and the ABS light staying on. The issues reported most often: ABS brake pedal drops to floor / long stopping distance; Electrical faults: no-start, windows, lights, steering; Engine compartment fires.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Buick Park Avenue have?
NHTSA recorded 92 consumer complaints for the 1991 Buick Park Avenue as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Buick Park Avenue is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 59 complaints (64% of the total), followed by electrical system with 10.
Has the 1991 Buick Park Avenue been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Buick Park Avenue get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Buick Park Avenue (Park Avenue, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Buick Park Avenue reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,688 miles and the middle half falls between 93,376 and 100,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.