1997 Buick Park Avenue Seat Belt Problems

Which parts fail

• Front › Retractor
  24
• Front › Webbing
  11
• Front › Anchorage
  8
• Front › Buckle assembly
  4
• Front
  1

Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  117%
• 50k–75k
  117%
• 75k–100k
  233%
• 100k–150k
  117%
• 150k+
  117%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Buick Park Avenue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Dt: the consumer stated there was a recall 00V117000 concerning the seat belts. The recall was completed by the dealer in 2002. But the dealer only corrected one of the front seat belts. The dealer failed to inform the consumer that only one of seat belts was repaired. In October 2005 both front seat belts failed. The driver seat belt began to retract intermittently and the passenger seat belt will not retract at all. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who refused to make any additional repairs under the recall. Updated

Several years ago the front passenger seat belt ceased working on my 1997 Buick Park Avenue. Since the car was no longer under warranty, I paid for a new seatbelt assembly and installation. Then, on August 6th (two weeks ago) 2007, the driver side seatbelt became inoperable(the seatbelt will not retract), therefore making it useless. I have been driving another vehicle until I can get this repair done.

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.

Consumer received recall notification #00039 for front shoulder belt retractor, consumer made an appointment to have repair completed only to be told parts were not available, second occasion parts were in consumer returned vehilce and was advised by dealership repairs were made, but after checking to see if problem was fixed consumer realized seat belt was still exhibiting same problem, consumer went back to dealership a third time and was advised that parts had to be ordered, the last time consumer received a call from dealership stating there were no parts and the vehicle did not require repair of the defect, consumer was later advised that mechanic stated consumer did not understand the recall and that the dealership was finished.

Factory replacement of defective seat belt retractor sept 1998 same as before. This dangerous problem persists; service manager told me that Buick could do nothing. Passenger can extend seat belt, but it often folds & jams, leaving 1-2 ft of loose belt which voids the safety of seat belt. Warped brake rotors were replaced. The defective power steering problem is a known defect to Buick who has last week suggested a trial of changing hoses.

Pe99056, driver's and passenger's seatbelt system malfunctioned due to design flaw. When the seatbelt is on and the occupant turns either way, the seatbelt becomes twisted in the housing and won't retract back, which won't protect the occupant in event of a crash. Dealer replaced driver's and passenger's seatbelts 2 times. Problem still exists. Please provide further information.

At 21,470 miles, driver's side seat belt will not retract when used, and passenger's seat belt intermittently will not retract from retractor. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Passengers right front lap belt is not stuck and will not release, dealer stated in the beginning that he would correct the problem, however when he found out the cost, he declined his offer.

00 117 000/GM shoulder belts: received manufacturer's recall notice, informing that parts were available. Contacted dealer(west point Buick, houston, texas, phone # 281/493-2000 for a appoiment, and was informed that part were not available. Appointment would not be made until later. Can NHTSA provide any information on this matter.

Shoulder belts roll and jam in retractor opening if lean forward, or as retracting. Fuel expelled from filler when fueling - repeatedly, even at slow pump speeds if use auto shutoff - several different stations/pumps. Must slowly nurse fuel by hand to avoid - approx 1 cup fuel splashes over vehicle, onto ground or operator.

Seat belts wrinkle and jam into retractors from ordinary movement of passenger and /or driver. They become useless. Conversations with dealers service manager states that is a "manifacturers defect" and nothing can be done about it. Discussions with manifacturer is no help. They refer us back to the dealer.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Seat Belt complaints in other Park Avenue years