2004 Buick Park avenue problems
The Buick Park Avenue is a full-size car built by Buick. The nameplate was first used in 1975 for an appearance option package on the Electra 225 Limited. It became an Electra trim level in 1978 and its own model starting in the 1991 model year after the Electra was discontinued.
There were two generations of the Park Avenue that were manufactured in the United States until 2005. In 2007, the nameplate was revived on a large Buick sedan built by Shanghai GM for the Chinese market based on the Holden Caprice from the WM/WN range. The nameplate is derived from the affluent New York City boulevard, Park Avenue.
Electra Park Avenue (1975–1990)
1975-1976
Park Avenue first appeared as an appearance package on the 1975 Buick Electra Limited. It included similar seats to the Cadillac Sixty Special, optional full center console, Buick 455ci V8, posi-traction, 15-inch rallye sport wheels, rear automatic leveling, optional leather, optional Air Cushion Restraint System, remote mirror with thermometer, and automatic climate control. The 1976 cars were largely the same except for some styling revisions and added emissions systems.
1977-1984
Park Avenue, previously an appearance option package, became an official trim level on the Electra in 1978. Cosmetically, a different grille and redesigned tail lights were the only notable cosmetic changes that year but 1979 brought a redesigned, flat front end and a subtly different taillight treatment featuring a Buick crest and bisecting horizontal silver line. A more extensive redesign occurred for the 1980 model year.
1985-1990
Park Avenue remained the top trim on the Buick Electra, it was redesigned along with the rest of the Electra line, moving to the heavily downsized front wheel drive GM C-Body. It featured a Buick 3800 V6. The coupe version was discontinued in 1987. For 1989, Buick introduced the Park Avenue Ultra trim level. The Ultra was an upgrade to the Electra Park Avenue trim and featured a standard leather interior with dual 20-way power front seats designed and manufactured by Lear Siegler and styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign; lower-body accent exterior paint treatment; distinctive thick-padded french-seamed vinyl top with limousine-style rear-window surround (available only on Ultra); simulated burled elm trim on the doors and instrument panel; unique aluminum wheels; anti-lock brakes; chromed B-pillar moldings; specific grille and tail lamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel; electronic instrumentation; padded glove-compartment door and unique interior door panel trim. The Park Avenue Ultra carried a higher base price than Cadillac's Sedan de Ville. The Park Avenue Ultra did not gain much popular recognition, however, until the following generation of Park Avenue where the "Ultra" badge offered even more features.
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Common 2004 Buick Park avenue problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 2004 Buick Park Avenue, several common problems have been identified:
- Engine Control Module (ECM) Can Fail:
Another common problem reported by owners is the failure of the Engine Control Module (ECM). When the ECM malfunctions, it can cause various issues with the engine's performance, leading to potential drivability problems and the need for ECM replacement or repair.
- Wear in Outer Tie Rod Ends Can Cause Steering Issues:
Wear in the outer tie rod ends of the 2004 Buick Park Avenue can result in steering problems. This issue can affect the vehicle's handling and safety, necessitating the replacement of the tie rod ends to ensure proper steering functionality.
- Hard Shifting Transmission After Warming Up:
Owners have reported that the transmission in the 2004 Buick Park Avenue shifts hard after the car warms up or after driving a certain distance. This issue can be attributed to various factors such as worn transmission mounts or internal transmission problems, requiring a thorough inspection to diagnose and address the root cause.
These common problems with the 2004 Buick Park Avenue highlight some of the key issues that owners may encounter with this vehicle. Addressing these concerns promptly through proper maintenance and timely repairs can help ensure the longevity and performance of the Buick Park Avenue.
Why won't my 2004 Buick Park Avenue start?
The most common reasons a Buick Park Avenue won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
Why does my Buick Park Avenue shut off while driving?
The most common reasons a Buick Park Avenue engine stalling are the fuel system, the air intake system, or the ignition system.
Is Buick Park Avenue a luxury car?
The Ultra trim, with grandeur, promised an ensemble of features. It bridged the gap between Buick and Cadillac Sedan deVille territory with aspects such as memory seats, Twilight Sentinel, and traction control, elevating the Park Ave into a realm of affordable luxury.
When did they stop making Buick Park Avenues?
2005
The Park Avenue was discontinued after 2005 in the North American market and was replaced in 2006 by the Buick Lucerne.
2004 Buick Park avenue car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Park avenue problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Exterior lighting problems
- Electrical system problems
- Wheels problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2004 Buick Park avenue vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2004 Buick Park avenue complaints
The NHTSA has received 12 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2004 Buick Park avenue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-08-11
- VIN: 1G4CW54K844
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Head lights automatically shut off while driving at night: 1) The vehicle senses it is after dusk and automatically turns on headlights while starting the engine (Manual head light switch is in off position). 2) Driver therefore doesn't use manual switch to turn on head lights and proceeds to drive. 3) Approximately 10 minutes later, while driving in the dark, the vehicle automatically turns off the head lights resulting in a dangerous dark situation where driver can not see nor can the vehicle be seen by others. 4) The surprised driver must pull on the manual head light switch to regain head lights. 5) This may potentially happen any and every time the car is started after dusk, especially by a driver not familiar with the vehicle or issue.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-11-01
- VIN: 1G4CU541144
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: DRIVER SIDE HEATED REAR VIEW MIRROR LOST CLARITY AND THE VIEW IS MINIMAL WITH NO VISION WHEN IT IS DARK. THIS IS FORTH BUICK PARK AVE TO DO THIS . 1997. 2000 2003 2004 DEALER WANTS $545.00 FOR THE GLASS ALONE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-09-07
- VIN: 1G4CU541344
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG. *TR
STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-01-14
- VIN: 1G4CW54KX44
- Components: STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY,ENGINE
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT THEN THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND STEAM STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS THE HEATER HOSE FITTING THAT HAD FAILED. ACCORDING TO MOST DEALERSHIPS THIS IS BECOMING A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM. *TR
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-05-20
- VIN: 1G4CU541244
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN FLUID LEAKING FROM THE WHEELS INTERMITTENTLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A TIRE SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-14
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G4CW54K144
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE AFTERNOON OF FEBRUARY 14 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM INDIANA ON I-70 EAST TOWARDS DAYTON, OHIO. AS WE WERE DRIVING WE NOTICED HOW THE SNOW STORM WE THOUGHT WE WERE LEAVING BEHIND IN INDIANA SEEMED TO BE EVER WITH US. ABOUT 3 P.M. IN THE AFTERNOON I, THE DRIVER, SMELLED A FAINT ELECTRICAL ODOR. HAVING HAD THAT EXPERIENCE BEFORE WITH NO CONSEQUENCE I THOUGHT I MIGHT JUST BE MISTAKEN OR SMELLED THE ODOR FROM ANOTHER CAR. ABOUT THE SAME TIME, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHETHER IT WAS JUST BEFORE OR JUST AFTER THIS, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH IT HAS DONE INTERMITTENTLY IN THE RECENT PAST WITH NO CONSEQUENCE. JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER, HOWEVER, THE RADIO CEASED TO OPERATE. SINCE OUR AM CAPABILITY HAD VANISHED ALMOST A YEAR AGO, WE BOTH TOOK NOTE OF THIS OBVIOUS INTERRUPTION. FOR THE NEXT FEW MOMENTS WE WERE DISTRACTED BY NOT HAVING RADIO, BUT FIDDLED WITH THE DIAL, AND SOON HAD A SIGNAL RETURN FOR JUST A BRIEF MOMENT THEN IT WENT SILENT AGAIN. AT ABOUT THAT SAME MOMENT I AGAIN DETECTED A WHIFF OF ELECTRICAL ODOR. EARLIER, SINCE THE REAR WINDOW WAS FREE OF SNOW, I HAD TURNED OFF THE DEFROSTER. BUT, SCANNING THE MIRRORS, I WAS SURPRISED TO DISCOVER A TINY FLAME IN THE REAR WINDOW. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR, AND IN THE UPPER CORNER OF THE REAR WINDOW, THERE WAS A CIGARETTE LIGHTER SIZE FLAME. OBVIOUSLY AMAZED AND SURPRISED, I TOLD MY WIFE WHAT I SAW AND QUICKLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE SO I COULD PULL OVER. AFTER STOPPING AND OPENING THE PASSENGER DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, I SWATTED INSTINCTIVELY AT THE FLAME WITH MY LEFT HAND, HOPING THAT SUCH A MOTION WOULD DOUSE THE FLAME. THAT ONLY SUCCEEDED IN INJURING MY HAND IN WHAT LATER TURNED OUT TO BE A 2ND DEGREE BURN. THE CAR WAS EVENTUALLY CONSUMED BY FIRE EXCEPT THE FRONT FENDERS & TIRES - TOTALLED BUICK DID NOT ATTEND TO MY CASE BECAUSE I NO LONGER OWNED THE CAR WHEN I CALLED THEM {CASE # 711288559106]. *JS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-03-10
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G4CU541444
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
- Summary: HAD THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 45 MPH WHICH IS JUST A 15 MINUTE RIDE AND WHEN I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY, SMOKE WAS FILING THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I POPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED FOR DAMAGE AND DID NOT FIND ANY. CLOSED THE HOOD AND NOTICE THE REAR (DRIVER SIDE) PASSENGER SEAT ON FIRE. I RAN IN THE HOUSE AND GOT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. UNFORTUNATELY THE INSURER DEEMED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-05-07
- VIN: 1G4CW54K444
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFILLING THE FUEL TANK, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-09-28
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: BOTH FACTORY - EQUIPPED TEMPORARY SPARE TIRES IN MY SON'S 2000 BUICK LESABRE AND MY WIFE'S 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE TRUNKS HAVE FAILED WITHOUT EVER USING THEM. THE TREAD SIMPLY SEPARATED WHILE IN THE TRUNK, REQUIRING EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS . TIRE PRESSURE WAS AT OR LOWER THAN THE 60PSI REQUIRED. *TR
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-01-22
- VIN: 1G4CU541544
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CHROME COVERED ALUMINUM RIMS HAVE CORROSION, THAT CAUSES A LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT ROAD SIDE SALT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63.520. UPDATED 10/26/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/26/09
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 2004 PARK AVENUE HEADLIGHTS ARE DESIGNED WITH A NON-ADJUSTABLE FIXED ANGLE BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. *TS AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER HAS POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-12-14
- VIN: 1G4CW54K244
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: CERTIFIED LTR RE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS ON A 2004 PARK AVENUE, REQUESTS A DEFECTIVE INVESTIGATION AND A REFUND. *BF THE HIGH AND LIGHT BEAM LIGHTS ARE MADE AS A SINGLE FIXED UNIT NOT ALLOWING THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES TO ADJUST EITHER, INDEPENDENT OF THE OTHER. *NM
Negative 2004 Buick Park avenue car reviews
Positive 2004 Buick Park avenue car reviews
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Hi Bertha, I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to let you know that I'm so impressed with your white Buick - it's still going strong even after 214,000 miles! It's such a solid car, both inside and out. It's a shame that GM discontinued the 6 cyl. 3800 series motor because now it's harder to find a car with that kind of power. I've never had to do any major repairs on my car, just regular maintenance, and it's still unstoppable! Thanks for being such a reliable car, Bertha!
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This is definitely one of the best cars ever built anywhere in the world.
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That's exactly what people were talking about at the Auto Show. The car has fantastic American styling both inside and out.
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I traded in my 1998 Park Avenue for the 2002 model year. The changes made in ride handling and performance were amazing. The gas mileage on both city and highway combined is 26.7mpg, which is simply outstanding for this large and comfortable model. I would strongly suggest getting the handling package, as it is definitely worth the extra cost.
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Effortless acceleration and a smooth, gliding ride make driving my Park Avenue a true pleasure. I've only ever had the Gran Touring suspension, and it's been fantastic on both my first and second Park Avenue. Despite the 12 valve push rod technology, the supercharger provides ample power while still maintaining excellent gas mileage. I loved my '94 Ultra, which is why I decided to purchase another one.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2004 Buick Park avenue problems:
2004 Buick Park Avenue Problems and Complaints - 20 Issues
Top 2004 Buick Park Avenue Problems · Mode/Temperature Door Actuators May Fail · Engine Stalling Due to Mass Air Flow/Crankshift Position Sensor Failure · Car ...
Q&A: Troubleshooting 2004 Buick Park Avenue Starting Issues
Feb 7, 2012 ... One common component that does act up like this is the crankshaft position sensor.This sensor is located behind the crankshaft pulley/harmonic ...
'03 Buick Park Avenue: Strong car? | Bob Is The Oil Guy
Aug 21, 2007 ... Biggest known problem is with the intake. The plastic intake has a habit of leaking coolant into the engine. Redesigned parts are out there to ...
Buick Park Avenue Problems and Complaints - 34 Issues
Top Buick Park Avenue Problems · Rubber Transmission Cooler Lines Can Leak Fluid · Engine Control Module (ECM) Can Fail · Wear in Outer Tie Rod Ends Can Cause ...
2004 Buick Park Avenue Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2004 Buick Park Avenue? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
Other years of Buick Park avenue
Are you having problems with your 2004 Buick Park avenue?
Ansley Hartmann 2024-10-24
I recently purchased this car with 76k miles on it. Although the ergonomics and controls could be improved for a car of this price range, it still offers great value for the money. I have driven about 1500 miles so far and I am impressed with the power (205 hp) and secure handling, especially for a large sedan. Despite being in my mid 30's, I have received comments from people about buying an 'old people car', but I prefer to drive something unique and different from the typical rat racer. Overall, I am enjoying my experience with this car.
Mohammed Parisian 2024-06-01
The Buick started out as a promising idea. It looked comfortable, especially for someone like me. However, it eventually became unreliable. Issues started to arise, such as the engine losing power and the valvetrain failing. Unfortunately, after only 23,347 miles, the valvetrain gave out and needed to be replaced. Ultimately, I decided to sell the car as it was no longer meeting my needs. That's the end of the story.
Loyal Huels 2024-04-27
When I was growing up, my mom always bought Buick vehicles. So when my husband found this car, we were both thrilled because it seemed like such a nice vehicle. It was a one-owner car with less than 40,000 miles on it. Although the passenger window motor was broken, I knew from previous experience that this was a common problem with other Buick vehicles. However, we soon started experiencing a lot of issues with the car. It spends more time in the garage than on the road. Unfortunately, we have to take it to the dealer about once a month, and each time it costs us around $1,300. We have now spent more on repairs than we paid for the car. I am now hesitant to have my children in it as I don't trust it anymore. It's a shame because we were so excited about it at first.
Jacey Wintheiser 2024-01-27
Excellent value, except for the steep depreciation.
Armani Hartmann 2024-01-08
Hey there! Check out this super highway cruiser that gets excellent fuel mileage even when driving at or just above the posted speed limits!