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2003 Buick Park Avenue problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Buick Park Avenue is engine and cooling, typically around 60,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Park Avenue model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
74/100
Owner complaints
33
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
411
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
19-21mpg

The worst 2003 Buick Park Avenue problems

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

  • Engine
    11
  • Electrical
    5
  • Tires
    5
  • Brakes
    3
  • Driver assistance
    2

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    11
  • Electrical
    5
  • Tires
    5
  • Brakes
    3
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lockReported December 9, 2002 · 43,980 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the emergency trunk release handle may be installed or forced out of the proper position.
Risk
If the cable is out of the proper position, it could increase the force required to activate the emergency trunk release handle and a person trapped in the trunk may not be able to release the trunk latch using the emergency trunk release handle.
Remedy
Dealers will secure the emergency trunk release cable to ensure that the emergency trunk release handle operates properly. Owner notification began december 19, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1‑800‑521‑7300.

Recall number 02V328000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue 411

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

See all 411 bulletins for the 2003 Buick Park Avenue

2003 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 2003 Buick Park Avenue owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Tires · KS

New tires installed on vehicle 12/10/24. Passenger rear tire blew out at 65mph on interstate on 12/16/24. Car was able to be controlled, some damage to vehicle. Could have resulted in severe injury and/or death.

Filed Oct 26, 2016 · Engine · 60,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick park avenue. While driving at any speed the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed oil dripping down on the spark plugs. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold gasket was leaking. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 06/02/17*lj updated 06/27/18

Filed Oct 12, 2016 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick park avenue. While driving 25 MPH, the transmission slipped and caused the vehicle to malfunction. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2016 · Tires · 172,542 miles · VA

Abnormal wear pattern, low mileage, new tire < 8 months service, alignment check / good, tie rods, ball joints, shocks like new. Tire cord/ belts bare exposed on outside edge of tire 1/3 of circumference. Worn smooth, no cupping. Possible rubber compound issue. Only abnormal wear found on 1/3 of tire rotation. Tire manufacture pirelli, near zero m/s p235/55zr 17, dot ns ek f661 5014 estimated <10,000 miles pictures available

Filed Aug 10, 2016 · Engine · 66,000 miles · WI

Front center motor mount failed @ 66kmiles.

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 45,940 miles · CA

In san diego union paper dated 10/28/2015, there is a recall on gm cars having the 3.8 liter engine. It involves vehicles having this engine. The problem is intake manifold leaking oil. This was found by the smog station. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Jul 15, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 140,000 miles · NV · crash

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. Thinking this meant my brakes were fine and noting that the lights were now off, I left and drove for about an hour or less towards home, I was roughly 9 miles away from my home when I realized I was veering into the other lane into another car on my right. I applied the brakes and attempted to steer my car out of the way, but both of our mirrors hit, my car then proceeded to spin out on control counterclockwise. Fortunately no one was hurt and no reportable damage was done. But it was still very unpleasant and could've been a lot worse. I knew I couldn't drive it back 65 miles to the dealership so I had it serviced at a local mechanic shop in my home town. I asked him why I spun out when doing the emergency maneuver. He told me as well as the computer powering the traction control, ABS, and stability control, it was needed to operate the power disk brakes. Needless to say this could've been very much preventable if the dealership had instructed me not to drive home.

Filed Mar 13, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 137,326 miles · CA

My sister was the previous owner. The engine shuts down completely. This has occurred while at a stop light, while driving 40 MPH down a city street. Fortunately, I have been able to pull over or the miraculously the vehicle re-started quickly. These symptoms are identical to the symptoms of the other gm recalled vehicles.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Tires · FL

I have a problem with a set of uniroyal tires that I purchased 2 years ago, within 11,000 miles the first separated, at 22,763 the second tire separated, at 30,875 the third tired separated. These tires should be investigated, who knows how many more tires are defective that are being used by unknowing drivers.

Filed Jan 6, 2011 · Engine · 108,600 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 buick park avenue ultra. The contact stated that there was a leak from the engine intake which was repaired by the dealer. Three months later, the failure occurred again. The dealer stated that there was nothing they could do to fix the problem. The engine manufacturer had gone out of business. The failure mileage was 108,600 and the current mileage was 110,200.

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Compare the 2003 Buick Park Avenue

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Questions about the 2003 Buick Park Avenue

Is the 2003 Buick Park Avenue reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2003 Buick Park Avenue, close to a typical Park Avenue model year.

What is the 2003 Buick Park Avenue year score?

The 2003 Buick Park Avenue scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Buick Park Avenue: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Buick Park Avenue?

Engine and cooling, with 11 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles. Next is electrical (5).

How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue have?

1 recall, covering latches/locks/linkages.

What year does the Buick Park Avenue have bad engine?

The Buick Park Avenue model years with the most engine complaints are 1998 (98 complaints), 1997 (47 complaints) and 1999 (43 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue get?

Official estimates for the 2003 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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