2001 Buick Park Avenue

The 2001 Buick Park Avenue is a full-size luxury sedan known for its comfortable ride and spacious interior. It was available with a single engine option: a 3.8L Series II V6 engine, producing 205 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. Power was delivered through a 4T65-E four-speed automatic transmission. People generally liked the Park Avenue for its smooth ride, quiet cabin, and reliability. Common dislikes included its somewhat dated styling and perceived lack of sportiness compared to some competitors.

Engine

3.8L Series II V6

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leak, overheating, white smoke from the exhaust, and/or coolant mixing with engine oil (resulting in a milky brown substance).
  • Solution: Replace the intake manifold gaskets with an updated design that uses a more durable gasket material.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Poor engine performance, rough idling, stalling, and/or illumination of the check engine light with codes relating to the MAF sensor.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty MAF sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $300
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

4T65-E 4-Speed Automatic

• Shift Flare/Slipping
  • Description/Symptoms: Delay or hesitation during shifting, particularly between 2nd and 3rd gear or 3rd and 4th gear, accompanied by a momentary increase in engine RPMs without a corresponding increase in vehicle speed. This is due to internal wear on the clutches and bands.
  • Solution: Perform a transmission rebuild or replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Rear Air Suspension Compressor Failure (if equipped)
  • Description/Symptoms: The rear of the vehicle sagging, ride height warning lights illuminating (if equipped), and/or a noticeable lack of ride comfort in the rear. The compressor either doesn’t run or runs constantly without raising the vehicle.
  • Solution: Replace the air suspension compressor and possibly the air springs if they are leaking.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Front Strut Mount Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking or popping noises from the front suspension when turning or going over bumps, loose or wandering steering.
  • Solution: Replace the front strut mounts.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Power Window Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Intermittent or complete failure of a power window to operate.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty power window motor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $350
  • Recalls: None Found
• Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy
  • Description/Symptoms: Fuel gauge reading inaccurately (either showing empty when the tank is full or full when the tank is empty), or fluctuating erratically. This is often caused by a faulty fuel level sending unit in the fuel tank.
  • Solution: Replace the fuel level sending unit or the entire fuel pump assembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Climate Control Display Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The digital display on the climate control unit becomes dim, unreadable, or completely blank.
  • Solution: Replace the climate control unit or repair the display. Repair is less common and may be difficult to find a qualified technician.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $400+ (Replacement), Unknown for Repair.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Driver Information Center (DIC) Pixel Loss
  • Description/Symptoms: Pixels on the DIC screen fail, making it difficult to read the displayed information.
  • Solution: Replace or repair the DIC unit. Repair may be difficult and require specialized equipment.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+ (Replacement), Unknown for Repair.
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• No Issues Found

Summary

The 2001 Buick Park Avenue, while generally reliable, does have some common issues to watch out for. The most significant problems relate to the engine’s intake manifold gaskets and the transmission’s tendency to develop shifting problems. The air suspension (if equipped) and various electrical components can also be problematic. The severity of these issues ranges from relatively minor electrical problems to more costly engine and transmission repairs. Addressing these issues promptly can help extend the life of the vehicle.