Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
I have a 1997 Buick Park Avenue with 103,000 miles. I purchased the car new in April of 1997. After 10 months and 16,000 miles I began to have problems with the transimission shifting hard after the car got warmed up. If I would stop and turn the car off and let it sit for 15 seconds and restart it shift smooth for several stops and then start shifting hard again. I took it into a Buick garage and they kept the car for 10 days and could not find the problem. Finally they decided to replace the transmission. That solved the problem. At 90,000 miles the same problem reoccured. It didn't do it that often to begin with but now one year later it does it almost every time I drive the car after it get completely warmed up. Given it has happened twice to my car it would appear there is a defect here that Buick should be responsible for. …
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I still have time remaining on my Smart choice warrranty but they have went bankrupt and my dealer says the warranty is no longer valid and I will have to pay for any repairs done.
Transmission started to jump into od. Vibration at different speeds. Replaced tranny with GM rebuilt.after 700 miles problem came back (vibration only) same problem but now has metal to metal grinding when making left turn and accelerating. Replaced engine mounts. They were cracked. Prior to this dealer said it was the solinoid, repalced. They only made this tranny in 1997
Dt: consumer stated: while backing vehicle out into the street, just changed the oil a couple weeks ago, the frame broke right from where the oil filter was. Then, the driveshaft broke. Neighbor heard a noise when it happened.
Caller stated: transmission failing. Locked up and shook the entire vehicle. There was the sensation of something hitting the bottom of the car from underneath. Happened when car was put into motion, and intermittently.
The A/C will turn on again after I turn it off. The radio will shift to cassette and back while displaying e33. Drivers window will come down unevenly and get wedged. The alternater went out and the bottom bolt stripped during removal. There is a lurch sometimes during shifting.
Consumer will hear a loud thump and vehicle will jerk when first starting vehicle, and putting it into reverse. Dealer cannot determine cause. They have contacted a service advisor, consumer has been waiting for the service advisor to return call since January 2000.
Electronic brakes malfunctioned, causing ABS to activate when it was not suppose to. Also, traction control activated when taking off, preventing vehicle from accelerating. Recall 97V064000/ ABS failure. However, this vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN.
Transmission would clink before engaging. Taken to dealer, and informed consumer that transmission needed to be overhauled. The consumer believes the transmission had been defective. Similar failures were found on internet by the consumer.
Consumer states that while parked with the vehicle turned off the vehicle inadvertently jumped into reverese resulting in a collision. When the vehicle was inspected the vehicle was in drive. Feel free to provide any further information.
Transmission complaints in other Park Avenue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Buick Park Avenue?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Buick Park Avenue, 11% of the model year's 219 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Buick Park Avenue transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
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.