2003 Buick Park Avenue Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 52,500miles, 22 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and tires (5). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 45% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 361 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 46 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 66 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling7 21%
- Electrical system5 15%
- Tires5 15%
- Engine4 12%
- Brakes3 9.1%
- Suspension2 6.1%
- Fuel system1 3.0%
- Other or unknown1 3.0%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “2003 Buick Park Avenue. Consumer states possible safety defect with the intake manifold and gasket. The consumer received a call from a gmc executive assistant. The consumer stated his concern was dismissed because the vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer for the repair when the problem occurred a second time and was out of warranty. However, both technicians who repaired the manifold and gasket within a two year period stated the replacement parts were substandard due to them being made of plastic and had degraded.”
NHTSA complaint #10314329, filed 2010-03, 35,331 milesElectrical system: “The horn is extremely hard to operate; has been from day one! I must take eyes off road for too long when trying to find right spot to make horn blow. It does not operate at horn decal on air bag cover, nor at center of cover as manual suggests. Horn blows somewhere in between decal and center, some of the time. And when I find the spot I have to push to hard to make it blow. This particular model of Buick is bought and driven mostly by retires. A lot of whom have arthritic hands. The horn is a safety feature and therefore should not be this difficult to use. …”
NHTSA complaint #10055116, filed 2004-01Tires: “Abnormal wear pattern, low mileage, new tire < 8 months service, alignment check / good, tie rods, ball joints, shocks like new. Tire cord/ belts bare exposed on outside edge of tire 1/3 of circumference. Worn smooth, no cupping. Possible rubber compound issue. Only abnormal wear found on 1/3 of tire rotation. Tire manufacture pirelli, near zero m/s p235/55zr 17, DOT ns ek f661 5014 estimated <10,000 miles pictures available”
NHTSA complaint #10897042, filed 2016-08, 172,542 milesEngine: “My sister was the previous owner. The engine shuts down completely. This has occurred while at a stop light, while driving 40 MPH down a city street. Fortunately, I have been able to pull over or the miraculously the vehicle re-started quickly. These symptoms are identical to the symptoms of the other GM recalled vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10569212, filed 2014-03, 137,326 milesMileage when problems were reported
45% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,453 and 80,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Avenue · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Buick Park Avenue version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Avenue FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Park Avenue FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V328000Dec 9, 2002Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › LockCovers: Buick Park Avenue 2001–2003
On certain passenger vehicles, the emergency trunk release handle may be installed or forced out of the proper position.
Recall details for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 361 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 11007744Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007743Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging…
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024Engine, Fuel system. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
- 11004557Jun 17, 2024Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
Other model years of the Buick Park Avenue
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 46,242 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 12 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 33 | 52,500 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 32 | 64,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 57 | 65,434 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 81 | 56,480 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 140 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 246 | 72,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 219 | 91,525 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 59 | 99,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 117 | 108,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 48 | 97,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 64 | 156,510 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 77 | 123,048 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 92 | 96,688 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 12 | 200,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 21 | 127,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 19 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 13 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 6 | 55,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | 118,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Park Avenue model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Buick Park Avenue is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 2003 Buick Park Avenue been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Buick Park Avenue (Park Avenue, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 17 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Buick Park Avenue reported?
Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,500 miles and the middle half falls between 28,453 and 80,000 miles; 45% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.