1998 Buick Park Avenue Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 97about this part
- Share
- 39%of 246 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 97 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Buick Park Avenue, 39% of the 246 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 21 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle is a 1998 Buick park ave. The plastic idler pulley and assembly failed and the surpentine belt no longer turned so the power steering was lost (and maybe power brakes also). This happened without warning while driving 60 MPH on I 45 in houston and exiting over a cloverleaf onto beltway 8. There was no accident because I was able to use my muscle to get the car off the road. The car was towed to a garage and the pulley assembly and belt was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10108147, filed 2005-01, 75,741 miles“Turned on igniion key of 1998 Buick Park Avenue to start and heard loud bang and then noticed grey smoke at rear of hood area. Turned off key, got out and closed door, proceeded to house to call 911 and got kitchen fire extinguisher. I went back to burning car, opened hood, observed fire at side of engine next to firewall. I used fire extinguisher to get most of fire out. There was some fire under engine on ground which the extinguisher did not get out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10003165, filed 2003-01, 71,000 miles“While enroute home from vacation low coolant warning light came on. Within a few miles the engine temperature gauge went to hot. I was able to limp back a mile or so to a chevrolet dealer I had passed. The intake manifold gasket had failed, costing $593 to replace along with the spark plugs, oil and filter. However, upon returning home, I opened the oil filler cap to find a glob of water contaminated oil inside. Now even short trips result in water droplets on the underside of the oil filler cap. …”
NHTSA complaint #10058918, filed 2004-02, 64,244 miles“Engine stalls and water in cylinders. Water in cylinders was corrected with a new pletium. The engine stall problem was a known problem when the vehicle was purchased. I was assured that the problem would be corrected. To date it has not been corrected.I gave up on wilkens Buick (on the 2nd return of vehicle) when they told me that I would not be given a rental but would have to pay for it myself. Agian this was a known problem to them, they are the one's that made me aware of it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000670, filed 2003-01, 51,000 miles“While I was driving I heard a pop & the service engine light came on I went another block and the car lost power & white smoke came out of exhaust. I turned engine off & tried to restart which was unsuccessful. I contacted Buick dealer because after talking to a few people I was told that this was a common problem with GM autos. Customer representative told me to go to dealer & they would work with me on the cost of the repair. After a week of wasted time I went to a local mechanic who repaired the auto at a cost of $1,049. …”
NHTSA complaint #10052619, filed 2004-01, 68,000 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 1998 Buick Park Avenue
34 complaintsSeat belts
32 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Buick Park Avenue
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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