1997 Buick Park Avenue Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 20%of 219 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, 20% of the 219 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 14 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10377074, filed 2011-01, 140,096 miles“No engine failure yet....I am consuming almost as much antifreeze as I am gasoline. Just kidding, but in less than 1000 miles I have used 11/2 gallons of dexcool antifreeze. I can find no leakage on my garage floor, but it sure is going somewhere. Am I in eminent danger of engine failure?????”
NHTSA complaint #10093571, filed 2004-10, 79,850 miles“My factory installed supercharger has had a pulley mechanism fall apart. As a result the belt from this system (similar to a drive train belt) fell down through the engine compartment under the front passenger side tire abruptly stopping my vehicle as the belt was still attached to the another component in the engine. This has happened three different times and each time has involved a different pulley on the system.”
NHTSA complaint #10053238, filed 2004-01, 109,229 miles“My vehicle is a 1997 Buick park ave with 140,000 miles. I'm the second owner. My in-laws were the original owners. I got the vehicle from them in 1999 with approximately 9000 miles on the vehicle. Therefore, I know the complete car care history of this vehicle. Yesterday, september 1, 2008 my granddaughter was driving this car and she lost control of the vehicle due to lost of steering capabilities. No one was injured nor body damage due to her low speed when this incident occurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #10240688, filed 2008-09, 140,000 miles“I drove my car out to a restaurant and parked it. When I tried to start it to go home a couple hours later, it would not turn over. I tried it again the next morning and then had it towed to my mechanic where he discovered that it was 'liquid locked because antifreeze had leaked into a cylinder and would not allow the piston to move up. I am looking at 2500 dollars for repairs and a week to get the parts and do it. There are TSB's out on this problem and it is a common problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10211512, filed 2007-12, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10012148Jun 1, 2004New rear main seal and special tool for installation.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 | 21% |
| 2002 | 4 | 13% |
| 2001 | 6 | 11% |
| 2000 | 14 | 17% |
| 1999 | 39 | 28% |
| 1998 | 97 | 39% |
| 1997 | 44 | 20% |
| 1996 | 9 | 15% |
| 1995 | 16 | 14% |
| 1994 | 4 | 8% |
| 1993 | 12 | 19% |
| 1992 | 11 | 14% |
| 1991 | 7 | 8% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 4 | 31% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Park Avenue
52 complaintsBrakes
39 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology