Home › Buick › Park Avenue › 2003

2003 Buick Park Avenue Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Buick Park Avenue, most often about the engine (33% of complaints, typically around 63,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Park Avenue model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.

Complaints33
Recalls1
Crashes reported1
Fires reported0
Injuries reported0

Most common 2003 Buick Park Avenue problems

  1. Engine

    11 complaints · 33%

    Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.

    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.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 60,000 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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 80,000 miles

  2. Wheels and tires

    6 complaints · 18%

    Tl contact owns a 2003 Buick Park Avenue. The vehicle has goodyear conquest radial tubeless, size p205/75r14 tires. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began pulling to the left and the contact was unable to steer the vehicle straight. He stated that the front driver side tire had a raised rib on the outer side and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 53,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2003 Buick Park Avenue. The chrome on the rims is peeling off all four tires which has also caused the tires to lose air continuously. The tires and rims were replaced. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 80,000 miles

  3. Electrical

    5 complaints · 15%

    Parts named most often: horn, instrument cluster/panel.

    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. [] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 45,940 miles

  4. Brakes

    3 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 5,593 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2003 Buick Park Avenue recalls

  1. Doors and locks: lock

    NHTSA 02V328000 · December 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 trunk may not be able to release the trunk latch using the emergency trunk release handle.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    On certain passenger vehicles, the emergency trunk release handle may be installed or forced out of the proper position.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2003 Buick Park Avenue

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Park Avenue?
By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (11 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles); wheels and tires (6 complaints); electrical (5 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Park Avenue have?
1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 9, 2002 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2003 a bad year for the Buick Park Avenue?
It is the 3rd most complained-about Park Avenue model year since 2000, with 33 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Buick Park Avenue years

Buick Park Avenue problems by year