Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Buick Park Avenue, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 17 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 7% |
| Air bags | 6 | 5% |
| Structure | 6 | 5% |
| Power train | 6 | 5% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE GEAR SHIFTER DOES NOT SHIFT IN TO THE CORRECT SELECTED GEARS. THE PREFABRICATION WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY ON THE BOTTOM ROCKER PANELS, THAT CAUSED THEM TO RUST PREMATURELY. THE PAINT IS JUST PEELING OFF THE TOP AND THE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BU
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE WALL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE INSULATION WAS SEE THROUGH AND COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO SEPARATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR R
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED BEFORE WHILE STOPPED AT
NHTSA complaint: Engine
AT SPEED LET OF GAS PEDAL REAL QUICK TO BRAKE AND ENGINE COMPLETELTSHUTSOFF. DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED WHATS BAD DEALERS CANNOT FIND ANY CODE IN COMPUTER TELLING WH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2012. THE BODY, INTERIOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE CAR WAS SOLD IN GREAT CONDITION AND I WAS TOLD OF NO MAJOR MECHANICAL ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING. THE HORN WAS SOUNDING AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND BEF
NHTSA complaint: Steering
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I HAD A 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE AND MINE CAUGHT ON FIRE EXACTLY AS IS DESCRIBED IN YOUR RECALL NEW RECALL OF BUICKS- HOWEVER I
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1995 Buick Park Avenue. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP LENS HAS AN INCORRECT AIM PAD NUMBER ON THE LENS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THESE HEAD LAMPS ARE RE-AIMED USING A MECHANICAL AIMING DEVICE THAT UTILIZES THE AIMING PAD NUMERS, THE RESULTANT AIM WOULD BE OUT OF THE SPECIFIED RANGE. THIS MAY
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP ON VEHICLES WITH THE CORRECT OUTBOARD LOWER PAD NUMBER.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 17 of them (13%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.