Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Buick Park Avenue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The heater in the seat quit working. A new one was installed and it doesn't heat up correctly. The motor in the window failed. The rotors/brakes were warped. The stereo failed. The window will not roll up correctly despite a new one being put in. The starter is dragging. Some of this was covered under the Smart choice extended warranty. However some of the repairs are still needed and I still have time remaining on my Smart choice warrranty but they have went bankrupt and my dealer says the warranty is no longer valid and I will have to pay for any repairs done.
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle's traction control and ABS lights illuminated. The traction control engaged and the ABS brakes cycled for no reason causing a grinding sound to appear from the transmission. A certified mechanic performed diagnostic testing determining there was a defect pertaining to the electronic brake and tract control module. Information was also found online regarding recalls that matched vehicle's symptoms. The manufacturer and dealer were alerted who determined that the VIN did not included in the recall.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Park Avenue. Whenever the vehicle is driven at various speeds, the ABS and traction control engage when they are not needed. As a result, the braking distance increases. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V064000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The current mileage was 70,004 and failure mileage was 67,000. Update 10/01/08 the ABS and traction control engaged for no reason. The consumer experienced extended stopping distance. Updated 10/03/08.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Park Avenue. While driving 1 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and it went down to the floorboard. He was unable to stop the vehicle using the brake pedal. He noticed brake fluid leaking from the vehicle. The dealer and mechanic have not inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that the cause of failure was due to corrosion of the driver side rear brake line. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 45,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Park Avenue. While driving at various speeds, the antilock brake and traction control lights illuminated. Currently, the antilock brakes will engage during braking. Occasionally, they engage by themselves. In addition, the contact hears a grinding sound when she is not braking. The dealer could not find any failures and advised the contact to call the manufacturer. The current mileage was 48,000 and failure mileage was 47,800.
On two occassions, one on dry pavement, one on wet, in a panic stop situation, there was little or no braking for a time. It was as if the ABS started on the wrong cycle (no braking). The stopping distance was increased significatly in both cases.
The ABS light illuminated while driving. When the light came on the consumer had to apply more pressure to the brakes to get the vehicle to stop. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.
I own a 1997 Park ave ultra with several recall repair issues the following were addressed by GM but not properly repaired: (faulty) ABS system (with campaign code sticker) replaced ABS system cuts out randomly causing changes in stopping distance (in severe braking situations the ABS system has cut out on me getting off of the highway causing me to have to apply excessive pressure to the brakes just to come to a normal stop) front passenger seat belt replacement(no campaign sticker) middle rear seat belt anchor was never fixed or torqued to proper specified standards while in for repairs let alone addressed at all rack and pinion has multiple issues some due to age and miles but regardless the entire assembly is loose and bearings are shot the faulty recall repairs on my vehicle don't instill trust in GM's ability to repair my vehicle a second time.
Repeatable, while driving my 1997 Buick Park Avenue, the ABS and traction-off warning-lights suddenly come on together and stay on indicating loss of ABS and traction control. Turning the ignition off and back on resets the functions, but they will become disabled again sometime later while driving. This could happen, possibly for the first time for someone, in an emergency just before one of these functions is called upon to avoid a severe accident. The failure occurs on smooth roads without regard to speed. I have not seen this happen when the car is stopped. The car May run for 200 miles without a problem, and then again the problem May occur within a few hundred feet from starting out.
Dt: the problem started sometime around the middle of September 2005. The brakes were not holding. The contact had the rear brake pads replaced two weeks ago because the ABS and traction light were coming on. The problem with the brakes, ABS light, traction light, and a noise were still occurring. NHTSA recall 97V064,000 concerning ABS was issued. When contacted the dealership they said that his vehicle's year was not included in the recall. When the contact called the manufacturer, they said they would contact the dealership. There has been nothing that came out of it yet.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module can cause the antilock brake system (ABS) to cycle during a non-ABS brake application.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module.
Brake complaints in other Park Avenue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Buick Park Avenue?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, 18% of the model year's 219 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Buick Park Avenue brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-064 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Apr 28, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Park Avenue brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.