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2003 Buick Park AvenueProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 2003 Buick Park Avenue, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 Buick Park Avenue
76
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years68% below the Park Avenue median · #13 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints331 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage35kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 18, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Buick Park Avenue has problems

33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling70
Tires50
Electrical system50
Engine40
Suspension20
Power train10
Seat belts10
Service brakes11
Service brakes, air10
9 other systems91

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2003 Buick Park Avenue recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Trunk lid: lock

Recall 02V-328 · Dec 9, 2002 · 43,980 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Park Avenue year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Park Avenue median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Buick Park Avenue safety ratings

2003 Buick Park Avenue 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Buick Park Avenue frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2003 Buick Park Avenue side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Park Avenue owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10374915 · Jan 6, 2011 · 108,600 miles
2003 PARK AVE ULTRA 3.8L SERIES II ENGINE OIL LEAK, SMELL OF BURNT OIL CONCERNED ABOUT ENGINE FIRE. LEAKS ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. *TR
Complaint 10367835 · Nov 25, 2010 · 80,000 miles
2003 PARK AVENUE S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER FROM REGARDING BUICK PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW MUFFLER AT A COST OF $500.00. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. ALSO, THE VIEW SCREEN FOR THE TEMPERATURE/AIR DIRECTION WAS BARELY READABLE. *JB…
Complaint 10348800 · Aug 11, 2010

Own a 2003 Park Avenue?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.