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1996 Buick Park Avenue problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Buick Park Avenue is airbags, typically around 133,027 miles. It has 1.8 times the complaints of a typical Park Avenue model year.

Typical year1.8x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
59
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
44
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-21mpg

The worst 1996 Buick Park Avenue problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    10
  • Electrical
    9
  • Engine
    9
  • Brakes
    7
  • Fuel system
    5

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    10
  • Electrical
    9
  • Engine
    9
  • Brakes
    7
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Tires
    4
  • Transmission
    4
  • Visibility
    4
  • Seats
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Lights
    1
  • Seat belts
    1

Recalls 3

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported July 1, 1996 · 275,811 vehicles affected
What is wrong
A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
Risk
This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.

Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: buckle assemblyReported March 5, 1996 · 15,122 vehicles affected
What is wrong
These vehicles were assembled with one or more incorrect safety belt and/or safety belt buckle ends. This does not conform with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: if an incorrect part is used, the belt may not latch properly, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant should a vehicle crash occur.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect all front and rear safety belt latch ends and safety belt buckles for correct parts and replace any incorrect parts.

Recall number 96V044000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control moduleReported October 23, 1995 · 32,869 vehicles affected
What is wrong
These vehicles were assembled with a malfunction alarm, lighting and locking (mall) module that can contain a damaged capacitor. If the capacitor is damaged, the "key in the ignition" warning chime and the driver seat belt unbuckled warning chime and indicator lamp may not work. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection" and fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." in addition, other chime reminder functions, interior lighting controls, and power door locking features are also affected.
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance; the driver may not be aware that the key was left in the ignition or that the safety belt was not buckled.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.

Recall number 95V204000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1996 Buick Park Avenue

Defect investigations

Power rack and pinion steering failureOpened January 2, 2003, closed September 15, 2003

Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, chevrolet lumina apv, chevrolet venture, oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.

RQ03001

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02030

Engine compartment firesOpened June 13, 2002, closed October 22, 2002

PE02050

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Buick Park Avenue 44

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 44 bulletins for the 1996 Buick Park Avenue

1996 Buick Park Avenue fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylFWD16-1725-2719-21

What 1996 Buick Park Avenue owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 24, 2021 · NJ

Sub-frame rust is severe where 2 at front of the engine mounting bushings all have rust, but the worst are the ones supporting the transmission -under the transmission, 2 have almost no metal frame and engine/transmission could drop down, as seen on some of the You tube videos. Inspected and find the engine appears to have dropped some... there is a gap where the steering wheel cover connects to the drive. This is a self inspection after replacing the stabilizing bar end link, had to be replaced.

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Electrical · 88,000 miles · VA

The driver seat belt unbuckled warning chime doesn't work. The "key in the ignition" warning chime usually doesn't work. The mall module has been diagnosed as the cause by a local buick dealership. This same issue is a recall on some of this model and make of car, but not currently on this VIN#. Gm and suttle motors of newport news, va refuse to pay the cost of the repair. I feel like this VIN# should be part of the recall. I purchased this vehicle used 5 years ago, with the problem occurring the 1st day of ownership.

Filed May 10, 2015 · Airbags · 259,726 miles · CO

Slowed to turn corner, passenger air bag deployed. Airbag light on. No contact with anything outside the car.

Filed Oct 7, 2014 · Electrical · 124,000 miles · AZ

Ignition switch will not turn off key can be removed with car running.

Filed May 18, 2013 · Tires · 140 miles · SC

Large bubble on sidewall pulling bead loose from rim, after driving only about 140 miles these tires are kelly explorer 205/70r15 dot pjmo jd1r.

Filed Nov 9, 2011 · Suspension, Tires · 200,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick park avenue with bridgestone insginia tires, size: p225 60 rx16. The contact stated that the front passenger side tire would wear prematurely. The tires were not rotated. The failure mileage of the vehicle was 200,000 and the tire failure mileage was 10,000. .. Updated 11/25/11 *bf updated 12/12/11 the consumer wants to cancel his complaint. 02/06/12

Filed Dec 21, 2009 · Body, Steering · 180,000 miles · IL

Three of the four rear sub-frame bolts rusted away, allowing the sub-frame to drop on one side affecting the alignment of the front wheels. This is due to the fact that the lower control arm for the suspension is attached to the sub-frame. If the fourth bolt was rusted as bad as the other three, the whole engine and transmission would drop along with the lower control arms and steering linkages dismounting causing total loss of steering. Please call or e-mail for VIN #-- I am away from home and do not have VIN at this time.

Filed Jun 13, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · MT · fire

David nelson died in car fire in driveway of residence in plentywood, mt.

Filed Nov 16, 2007 · Airbags · 133,027 miles · NY · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick park avenue. While driving approximately 30 MPH with the brake pedal depressed, the contact heard a loud sound and felt pain in her left hand. She realized that the air bag deployed without warning. The contact called the dealer and they suggested she call the federal safety agency. The contact sustained minor injuries. There were no air bag recalls available and the dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current mileage was 133,037 and failure mileage was 133,027. Updated 12/12/07

Filed Feb 16, 2007 · Engine · MN

1996 park avenue with manifold gasket issues**nar**cc

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1996 Buick Park Avenue before you buy

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Questions about the 1996 Buick Park Avenue

Is the 1996 Buick Park Avenue reliable?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the 1996 Buick Park Avenue, 1.8 times a typical Park Avenue model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Buick Park Avenue?

Airbags, with 10 complaints, typically around 133,027 miles. Next is electrical (9).

How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Park Avenue have?

3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, seat belts and electrical system.

What year does the Buick Park Avenue have bad airbags?

The Buick Park Avenue model years with the most airbags complaints are 1995 (12 complaints) and 1996 (10 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Buick Park Avenue get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Buick Park Avenue range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-17 city and 25-27 highway.

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