1996 Buick Park Avenue recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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."
What could happen: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 PARK AVENUE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V044000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; ACTIVE RESTRAINTS; BELT BUCKLES, FMVSS NO. 209. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 PARK AVENUE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V116000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Summary: A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L V6 ENGINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATIONS BEGAN DURING JULY 1996. NOTE: 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; PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
3. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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…
What could happen: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 PARK AVENUE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V204000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION; ANTI-THEFT; FMVSS NO. 114 AND NO. 208. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: 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; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1996 Buick Park Avenue owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (10), Electrical system (9), Engine (9), Brakes (7), Hydraulic (6).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/24/2021 · Unknown Or Other
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 w…
09/29/2016 · Electrical system
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 COS…
05/10/2015 · Airbags
SLOWED TO TURN CORNER, PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AIRBAG LIGHT ON. NO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE CAR.
10/07/2014 · Electrical system
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN OFF KEY CAN BE REMOVED WITH CAR RUNNING. *TR
05/18/2013 · Wheels / tires
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. *TR
11/09/2011 · Suspension
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 C…
12/21/2009 · Steering
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 LO…
06/13/2008 · Engine · fire
DAVID NELSON DIED IN CAR FIRE IN DRIVEWAY OF RESIDENCE IN PLENTYWOOD, MT. *TR