Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Park Avenue ultra. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began smoking under the hood and caught fire. The fire department extinguished the blaze and provided a fire report. The police arrived, however, the contact did not know if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they were unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 125,998 and failure mileage was 111,998.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Buick Park Avenue. The contact stated that the vehicle began to smoke when starting the vehicle. The engine then caught on fire. The fire department was called and came to extinguish the blaze. The fire department stated that the fire was caused by an engine compartment failure. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The vehicle was neither repaired nor diagnosed. The failure mileage was 150,000.
While driving 30 MPH consumer noticed white smoke coming from the vehicle. It was towed to the repair shop and then to the dealer for repairs. Consumer was concerned that the intake manifold gasket was made of plastic.
After starting the vehicle, the vehicle back fire and then caught fire in the engine compartment. The local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
After 20 miles of smooth driving with no indication of anything going wrong and while pulling into the parking lot of my office my check engine light came on, I always immediately shutoff my vehicle any time such thing happens to prevent any damage to the vehicle, I proceeded to walk into the parts store next to my office to get power steering fluid due to the low fluid level I had, however when I tried to turn over the motor the motor would not turn. My mechanic told me it was "hydrolocked" and that there is a coolant passage which is commonly known to leak into cylinder 6 and locking the motor requiring the intake and gaskets to be replaced. This happened less than 30days after my vehicle passed inspection at a dealership. Also noting that the dealer was told I was losing about a gallon of coolant weekly. A coolant elbow was repaired, then two days later is when the motor locked.
Dt: contact states in hot weather 75 degrees or above and within one mile the car will die. Can wait it 10-15 minutes and the car will restart. Had this problem for the last 3 summers. It usually happened in slow traffic, but consumer did not get out on the interstate very much; but was concerned that if he did. The car would die in heavy traffic. Took it to the dealer, and they said they could not find anything wrong with it. They suggested that it May be the fuel pump or the sensor in the crank case. The service engine light sometimes cam eon. . The car has less than 30,000 miles on it. He has not talked to the manufacturer.
I drove my car out to a restaurant and parked it. When I tried to start it to go home a couple hours later, it would not turn over. I tried it again the next morning and then had it towed to my mechanic where he discovered that it was 'liquid locked because antifreeze had leaked into a cylinder and would not allow the piston to move up. I am looking at 2500 dollars for repairs and a week to get the parts and do it. There are TSB's out on this problem and it is a common problem. I feel I should have been notified of the problem and GM should shoulder the costs for the repair because it was caused by a defective gasket.
The plastic air plennom on the top of the 3800 engine of the newer gen motors cars that they are now using will not hold up under the heat. The EGR tube which extends up into the plastic air intake burns a hold into the cooling system surrounding the EGR tube, causing coolant to drian into the the motor intake chamber. In turn, the coolant then mixes with the oil and ruins the motor rod bearings. I have already replaced one motor and am now experiencing similar trouble with the second motor for the same problem. They need to go back to the metal air intakes!
Vehichle stalled while turning at an intersection and was not driveable; vehicle had to be towed. Upon diagnosis, the vehicle "hydrolocked" due to dexcool leaking into the engine chamber from a melted upper intake manifold. The upper intake manifold, water pump, thermostat crank sensor and map sensor required replacement. It was then further determined due to an intolerably loud engine knock that the dexcool had corroded the engine compartment bearings; the engine was not repairable and required replacement.
Heater/air conditioning leaks onto floor on the passenger side of vehicle. Started about a year after purchase (new) and we complained. Dealership replaced water pump. Still leaked. Became much worse in July 2003 (required a roll of paper towels to keep the front floor board semi dry on trips). We took it to fitzpatrick in concord, ca and they stated that all GM vehicles did that and there was no repair needed. This was when the car was still under warranty and now, no longer is.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Engine complaints in other Park Avenue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Buick Park Avenue?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, 21% of the model year's 219 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Buick Park Avenue engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Park Avenue engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 15 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.