1999 Buick Park Avenue Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe coolant leaks from the plastic upper intake manifold on the 3.8L V6, which can leave the engine running rough, stalling, or locked up. A second cluster of complaints describes a backfire and engine-compartment fire around the fuel pressure regulator and related fuel parts, often at the first start after the car sat for hours or overnight. The remaining reports are spread across seat belts that will not release, brakes, electrical stalling, tires and body hardware.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Backfire and fire at startup near fuel pressure regulator

   • 23 complaints (16%)
   • median 66,440 mi at 7.1 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2018

   Complaints describe a loud pop or backfire when the key is turned, followed by smoke and flames from under the hood, usually at the first start after the vehicle sat for a while or in cold weather. Several reports name the fuel pressure regulator or the intake manifold as where fuel collected, and some note the car had already had recall work done on the fuel system. Owners report the fire department was called and the engine or engine-compartment parts were replaced. Reported from around 35,000 to 100,000 miles, typically on a cold start after the car had been parked for hours.

   Recall 04V090000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 04V090000 was completed and with what parts, and have a shop check the fuel pressure regulator and lines for leaks or a fuel smell in the engine bay before starting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1999 Buick Park Avenue was parked under our pole barn in front of our home. My neighbor came over to borrow my car with my permission. It was cold that day. She turned the key. The car backfire & the hood jumped. The car made a loud noise & smoke started rolling out from under the hood of my car. She popped the hood & got out of the car. By the time she got in front of the car flames were shooting out of the front of the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10692357, filed 2015-03, 155,000 miles

   “I own a 1999 Buick pk ave. On feb 27, 2011 I had to move vehicle to plow snow. Low battery, attach booster pack and tried to start again. There was a loud backfire. Apparently the plenum had burst knocking off fuel line and I found my vehicle to be on fire. After putting out fire I contacted my ins co, who advised me that this damage was an exact description of a GM recall-TSB#03054b- and I should contact them. Gm advised me that the recall was done previously. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10393740, filed 2011-03, 99,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Plastic intake manifold leaks coolant into engine

   • 17 complaints (12%)
   • median 46,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2015

   Complaints describe coolant loss from the plastic upper intake manifold (plenum), with coolant reaching the engine and causing rough running, misfires, white smoke, or stalling. In some reports the engine locked up or had to be replaced. Owners report the manifold was replaced, sometimes with a redesigned part, and mention being told by mechanics that this is a frequent failure on the 3.8L engine. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, sometimes with a coolant warning before the engine trouble appeared.

   What to check: Ask whether the upper intake manifold has been replaced and look for coolant stains, low coolant level, or a sweet smell near the plenum. A compression or coolant-pressure test can show an internal leak.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1999 Park Avenue suddenly started to run ruff, causing me to take the vehicle to a GM dealer who replaced the spark plugs and wires, as well as two ignition coils. He stated that the plugs had indication of burns that are attributed to anti freeze coming in contact with the plugs. During the repair he also indicated that he noticed anti freeze on the outside of the engine in the area of the plenum. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10258452, filed 2009-02, 101,500 miles

   “While driving the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken tot eh dealer where it was determined that the engine intake manifold had a design defect which caused premature gasket failure. That failure caused coolant to leak into the engine manifold and burn in the engine. The vehicles A/C compressor also failed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10024940, filed 2003-07, 42,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls or loses power while driving

   • 26 complaints (19%)
   • median 57,528 mi at 7.9 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2016

   Complaints describe the engine stopping without warning while the car is moving, at times with all electrical systems still working, and the car restarting after shifting to neutral and turning the key. Other owners report no-start or dead-battery situations traced to lights staying on or a battery leak. Some dealers could not reproduce the stall. Reported mostly between about 60,000 and 100,000 miles, with some at higher mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about any history of intermittent stalling or no-starts, and check that battery cables, grounds and ignition switch function are sound; note any lights that stay on with the key removed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I turned on the left turn, the lamp on the instrument panel had stopped blinking and stayed on, even when the switch was in the neutral position. Right-turn worked fine. The next day I could not start my car, the battery was completely dead. I was late for an important meeting. Later I found out that when the engine is off and the key removed from the ignition, all the lights on the left side of the car continued to burn, and that was the cause battery discharge. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10508728, filed 2013-04, 101,200 miles

   “Sudden engine failure. I own a 99 Buick Park Avenue ultra that has about 65,000 miles on it and is well maintained. The car is only utilized about 6 months out of the year since we are snow birds having returned from the east 2 months ago. Last evening as I drove north and up one of the long hills on the toll rd 73 in orange county, ca I experienced the sudden and total loss of engine power while traveling between 65 and 70 MPH. All electrical systems, headlights, dash lights etc stayed on and appeared normal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10668517, filed 2014-12, 65,000 miles
4. 4
   Seat belts

   Seat belt will not release or retract

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 40,946 mi at 4.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2006

   Owners report front and passenger seat belts that jam in the retractor or cannot be pulled out of the buckle, leaving the belt unusable for a period of time. In some reports the belt stuck in the released position so it could not be tightened. Dealers replaced the belt assemblies, and owners say the failure was not always explained. Reported from around 31,000 to 65,000 miles.

   What to check: Pull each belt fully out and let it retract, and buckle and release every belt a few times to confirm they latch and release smoothly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Nar 06/19/2003. The passenger side seat belt could not be removed from it's receptable. The vehicle was taken to the service shop and the mechanic discovered plastic parts in the seat belt receptable had been grounded up. The consumer believed that there should be a recall for replacement of the seat belts if other Buick owners are having the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10024460, filed 2003-06, 34,413 miles

   “Front passenger seat belt will fully retract after use and then for no reason seat belt will not release. The seat belt is unavailable for use for extended periods of time. Thus causing us to use the vehicle with out the use of a safety feature that is required by law to be buckled when automobile is in use. Had dealer look at car and was informed that seat belt would need to be replaced at a cost of $600.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10023926, filed 2003-06, 65,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the intake manifold coolant leak and the startup backfire/fire reports are the items most worth confirming before purchase, so ask for service records on both and check whether recall 04V090000 was completed. A pre-purchase inspection covering coolant level, fuel leaks, belts, steering and brakes is reasonable given the age of the vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.