Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (12.9% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (08V118000).
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 18 · 12.9% | Investigation closed | EA07008 → recall 08V118000 · EA07008 → recall 09V116000 · PE02050 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 10 · 7.1% | Investigation closed | EA07008 → recall 08V118000 · EA07008 → recall 09V116000 · PE02050 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 7 · 5% | No official action | — |
| Seat Belts:front:retractor | 7 · 5% | Investigation closed | EA00002 → recall 00V117000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor | 6 · 4.3% | Recalled | Recall 99V238000 · Recall 99V081000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 · 4.3% | Investigation closed | EA07008 → recall 08V118000 · EA07008 → recall 09V116000 · PE02050 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 140 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 99V238000 · 1999 · reported 08/27/1999
IF THESE NUTS ARE LOOSE, THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE LOW, THE ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE, AND IF THE NUTS BACK COMPLETELY OFF, BRAKING MAY BE LOST. ALSO FUME AND WATER INTRUSION TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V090000 · 2004 · reported 02/24/2004
THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 99V081000 · 1999 · reported 04/14/1999
A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION CAN PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING A BRAKING MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE INCREASED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE (3800 ENGINE) EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE UPON STARTUP. *NLM”NHTSA complaint 10013626 — filed 03/29/2003 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“MY 1999 BUICK PARK AVE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES AFTER IT…”NHTSA complaint 10000078 — filed 12/12/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. MY WIFE WENT TO START THE VEHICLE. WHEN IT BLEW ABOUT A THREE INCH HOLE IN…”NHTSA complaint 768844 — filed 10/24/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 18 of 140 NHTSA complaints (12.9%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (10), electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery (7), seat belts:front:retractor (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
140 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 22 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 99V238000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
