1997 Buick Park Avenue Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 11%of 219 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, 11% of the 219 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The heater in the seat quit working. A new one was installed and it doesn't heat up correctly. The motor in the window failed. The rotors/brakes were warped. The stereo failed. The window will not roll up correctly despite a new one being put in. The starter is dragging. Some of this was covered under the smart choice extended warranty. However some of the repairs are still needed and I still have time remaining on my smart choice warrranty but they have went bankrupt and my dealer says the warranty is no longer valid and I will have to pay for any repairs done.”
NHTSA complaint #10070934, filed 2004-01, 72,000 miles“I have a 1997 Buick Park Avenue with 103,000 miles. I purchased the car new in april of 1997. After 10 months and 16,000 miles I began to have problems with the transimission shifting hard after the car got warmed up. If I would stop and turn the car off and let it sit for 15 seconds and restart it shift smooth for several stops and then start shifting hard again. I took it into a Buick garage and they kept the car for 10 days and could not find the problem. Finally they decided to replace the transmission. That solved the problem. At 90,000 miles the same problem reoccured. …”
NHTSA complaint #10002902, filed 2003-01, 16,000 miles“Transmission started to jump into od. Vibration at different speeds. Replaced tranny with GM rebuilt.after 700 miles problem came back (vibration only) same problem but now has metal to metal grinding when making left turn and accelerating. Replaced engine mounts. They were cracked. Prior to this dealer said it was the solinoid, repalced. They only made this tranny in 1997”
NHTSA complaint #10069363, filed 2004-01, 30,000 miles“Dt: consumer stated: while backing vehicle out into the street, just changed the oil a couple weeks ago, the frame broke right from where the oil filter was. Then, the driveshaft broke. Neighbor heard a noise when it happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10122507, filed 2005-05, 90,120 miles“Caller stated: transmission failing. Locked up and shook the entire vehicle. There was the sensation of something hitting the bottom of the car from underneath. Happened when car was put into motion, and intermittently.”
NHTSA complaint #10119515, filed 2005-05, 94,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10135203Apr 15, 2014This preliminary bulletin provides a way to aid the technician in diagnosing transmission fluid leaking from the trans breather vent.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
| 2001 | 5 | 9% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 5% |
| 1997 | 24 | 11% |
| 1996 | 4 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 8% |
| 1994 | 4 | 8% |
| 1993 | 10 | 16% |
| 1992 | 4 | 5% |
| 1991 | 7 | 8% |
| 1989 | 2 | 10% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 3 | 23% |
| 1986 | 2 | 33% |
| 1985 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Park Avenue
52 complaintsEngine cooling
44 complaintsBrakes
39 complaintsElectrical system
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 31, 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