Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline — runs 1.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
219Complaints
3Recalls
5Crashes
21Fires
9Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (11.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints here are 1.7× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
25 · 11.4%
not available
—
Seat Belts:front:retractor
24 · 11%
Recalled
Recall 00V117000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
22 · 10%
Recalled
Recall 97V064000
Engine And Engine Cooling
13 · 5.9%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
12 · 5.5%
not available
—
Seat Belts:front:webbing
11 · 5%
Recalled
Recall 00V117000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 219 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM WOULD NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“CONSUMER TRIED TO CRANK VEHICLE WHEN IT IMMEDIATELY POPPED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 24-5198-330. *SLC”NHTSA complaint 6900544 — filed 11/20/2001 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALLING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.”NHTSA complaint 837443 — filed 05/04/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Buick Park Avenue?
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 25 of 219 NHTSA complaints (11.4%), followed by seat belts:front:retractor (24), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (22), engine and engine cooling (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Buick Park Avenue have?
219 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 21 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Buick Park Avenue have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 00V117000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Buick Park Avenue's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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