Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving home from work. Suddenly lights started going off on my dashboard indicating that my ABS, traction control, and satiability control were out. Not being able to stop on the highway or contact someone to give me a lift home I proceeded to the nearest Buick dealership to see what the issue was. During the journey the lights turned off, but thinking it was an electrical problem I still headed towards the dealership. The car was looked at by a service tech. I was told my brake module computor was out and I needed a replacement. The cost was roughly $1200, knowing I couldn't afford it, I asked if their was a safely recall. Their was not. I asked if the vehicle was safe to drive home, the man said he didn't see why not. …
My 2003 Buick Park Avenue with less than 6000 miles on it has had brake failure twice. Both incidents occured at speeds less than 10 MPH. Both incidents involved total brake failure with the pedal going clear to the floor and no stopping action at all. The first incident in August 2003 resulted in a crash in which there was no fire and no injuries. The most recent incident reported today did not result in a crash but could have easily had I not thrown the transmission into Park. Dealer reports he "can not duplicate the problem", and doesn't know what to fix. Ongoing negotiations continue between me and the dealer as I feel the car is definitely unsafe as is, and if there is "nothing to fix", then obviously the car will remain unsafe and could result in serious injury or fatalities not only to myself but to others. …
I was driving a Buick Park ave 2000. After stopping at a stop sign I made a right hand turn onto a busy 3 lane city street. When I accelerated and began changing lanes the car lunged a little and continued to accelerate on its own. I tried pressing the brake and it felt like there was a block of wood underneath it. The brake was not working and the car kept accelerating I was approaching a busy intersection and the light was red. I tried down shifting but nothing changed. I kept trying to brake but .it didn't work and the car kept accelerating so as I approached the red light the only thing I could think to do was try making a sharp turn with the cars that were turning headed in the opposite direction I was going. I managed to slice between two cars in the turn but the steering wheel became incredibly stiff and I couldn't negotiate the turn as hoped. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Buick Park Avenue. The contact stated while driving and making a left turn at 5 MPH with the brakes depressed they suddenly locked causing the stability control feature to activate itself. The vehicle continued to move into the next lane on its own without any warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times where they diagnosed and reprogram the steering sensor. NHTSA recall campaign id number: 00V114000; service brakes, hydraulic: foundation was related to the failure; however, the dealer stated the VIN was not included. Each time the vehicle needed to be repaired the contact was responsible for paying over $200. The manufacturer was contacted and also stated the VIN was not included in the recall and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 74,221 and the current mileage was 77,800. Updated 08/22/11 updated 3/06/2012
Tl the contact owns a 1999 Buick Park Avenue. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated while backing out of the driveway and failed to brake. When the vehicle was started, the contact heard a loud popping sound and noticed a lot of smoke coming from the tailpipe. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the neighbor's yard and a telephone guide wire. An independent mechanic was called to have the vehicle towed and diagnosed. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 152,000.
The complaint was received via e-mail. I went to Goodyear to have my brakes checked when they removed the wheel cap, and the plastic snaps that hold the wheel caps in place fell off. The mechanic called me over and refused to take any more caps off. It was determined that I needed front brakes, and I gave him permission to take the second cap off. One more snap broke off. My car is a 1999 Buick Park Avenue ultra of 42,000 miles. Approximately a year ago I had to replace a cap that was missing at a cost of $54.00. These caps are poorly made and cannot withstand the process of having tires rotated, replaced or whatever condition requires that the tires be removed. Replacing these caps has become an expensive problem not only that, but dangerous as well. This is a faulty product, and should be looked at. I have called the Buick people, and they refused to replace these caps. …
Dt*: the contact stated there were two problems with the vehicle. The first problem involved coolant leaking from the engine. The next morning, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, the mechanic was able to get the vehicle started. Upon inspection the intake manifold was filled with water and the manifold was replaced. The second problem occurred when driving across a patch of ice at approximately 40 MPH the traction stability and ABS failed. The v traction control and ABS lights illuminated. The front end started to slide. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off. Once the vehicle was restarted,the traction control and ABS reset themselves and were working properly. Updated 3/3/2006 -
Intake manifold was leaking, resulting in a anti freeze leak over engine. Dealer has been contacted. Intake manifold, water pump, front rotors/pads, serpentine belt, tensioner pulley and plugs were replaced.
Related recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have internal fluid leaks in the brake hydraulic control unit.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ABS hydraulic modulator unit and if necessary, replace the hydraulic modulator.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake booster to pedal assembly attachment nuts May be loose.
Remedy: Dealers will replace any missing brake booster to brake pedal assembly nuts and tighten all four (4) nuts to specified torque.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles May have been built with incorrect front brake rotor, brake caliper assembly, brake pads, and caliper mounting bracket on either the left or right side of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for correct brake parts and replace any incorrect rotors, caliper assemblies, brake pads, and caliper mounting brackets.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Park Avenue years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (39), 1998 (18), 1999 (15), 1995 (12) and 2000 (11) model years. Brake complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Buick Park Avenue brake problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 00V-114 (foundation components, Apr 17, 2000); 99V-238 (vacuum, Aug 27, 1999); 99V-081 (disc, Apr 14, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Park Avenue brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (47 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (23).
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.