1998 Buick Park Avenue Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 246 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Buick Park Avenue, 5% of the 246 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On may 25, 2003 I started to pull out onto a street, and my 1998 Buick Park Avenue got part way out into the street and then would not move, except at a snail's pace. Finally I was able to pull on out, but not before a car was right upon me. I took it to a dealer and TSB existed on a valve in the transmission. I believe this TSB should be extended to a recall, because I almost got hit when I pulled out because the car more or less stalled while I was entering the street. If you see that you have plenty of room to pull out into traffic, one does not expect the car to suddenly creep or stall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10023458, filed 2003-06, 53,000 miles“Loss of coolant internally to combustion/compression chambers, hydro locked engine, thick smoke from engine exhaust, coolant mixing into oil, unstable temperature requiring vehicle stoppage to avoid overheating/fire, car will not run. Intake manifold failure and head gasket damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10434115, filed 2011-11, 65,000 miles“Vehicle problems with start up/ vehicle fire in engine compartment. The battery had gone dead overnight. (prior to the day of the incident, the battery appeared to be charged) the engine exploded as soon as the key was turned on. There was slippage in the transmission. The intake plentium, fuel rail, the ignition wires, 2 injectors, engine cover shield, oil filler cap, map sensor, pcv cover, and the battery all were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10022539, filed 2003-06“Consumer states every time that she has taken vehicle in for repairs, it seemed that the mileage odometer accelerated at a much faster rate, consumer states the miles that are being driven are not the correct mileage that is being placed on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #562086, filed 2001-07“While driving at 25 MPH and with no warning, the engine locked up. Consumer made contact with dealer. The consumer noticed that both the engine and the transmission had problems early on.”
NHTSA complaint #10037707, filed 2003-09Related 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 1998 Buick Park Avenue
97 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsSeat belts
32 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsSteering
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 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