2001 Buick Park Avenue

Introduction

The 2001 Buick Park Avenue is a full-size luxury sedan that was offered with a choice of two engine options: a 3.8L V6 and a 4.2L V8. Both engines were paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Park Avenue was praised for its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and powerful engines. However, it was also criticized for its lackluster fuel economy and dated design.

Engine

3.8L V6

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure: The intake manifold gaskets can fail, causing coolant and oil leaks. Symptoms include a drop in coolant level, oil in the coolant, and a rough idle. The solution is to replace the intake manifold gaskets. Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
• Valve Cover Gasket Leak: The valve cover gaskets can leak oil, causing an oil leak on the engine. Symptoms include oil on the engine and a burning oil smell. The solution is to replace the valve cover gaskets. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200
• Oil Pressure Sensor Failure: The oil pressure sensor can fail, causing inaccurate oil pressure readings. Symptoms include a low oil pressure warning light and engine damage. The solution is to replace the oil pressure sensor. Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $100
• Timing Chain Tensioner Failure: The timing chain tensioner can fail, causing the timing chain to skip and damage the engine. Symptoms include a rattling noise from the engine and engine damage. The solution is to replace the timing chain tensioner and timing chain. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000

4.2L V8

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure: The intake manifold gaskets can fail, causing coolant and oil leaks. Symptoms include a drop in coolant level, oil in the coolant, and a rough idle. The solution is to replace the intake manifold gaskets. Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
• Valve Cover Gasket Leak: The valve cover gaskets can leak oil, causing an oil leak on the engine. Symptoms include oil on the engine and a burning oil smell. The solution is to replace the valve cover gaskets. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200
• Oil Pressure Sensor Failure: The oil pressure sensor can fail, causing inaccurate oil pressure readings. Symptoms include a low oil pressure warning light and engine damage. The solution is to replace the oil pressure sensor. Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $100
• Spark Plug Failure: The spark plugs can fail, causing misfires and engine damage. Symptoms include a rough idle, loss of power, and increased fuel consumption. The solution is to replace the spark plugs. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic

• Shift Solenoid Failure: The shift solenoids can fail, causing shifting problems and transmission damage. Symptoms include delayed shifting, harsh shifting, and slipping gears. The solution is to replace the shift solenoids. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400
• Transmission Control Module Failure: The transmission control module (TCM) can fail, causing shifting problems and transmission damage. Symptoms include erratic shifting, no shifting, and transmission slipping. The solution is to replace the TCM. Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $600
• Torque Converter Failure: The torque converter can fail, causing transmission slipping and overheating. Symptoms include loss of power, transmission slipping, and a burning smell. The solution is to replace the torque converter. Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1,200

Suspension

• Front Suspension Strut Failure: The front suspension struts can fail, causing a loss of ride quality and handling. Symptoms include excessive body roll, nosediving under braking, and a rough ride. The solution is to replace the front suspension struts. Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
• Rear Shock Absorber Failure: The rear shock absorbers can fail, causing a loss of ride quality and handling. Symptoms include excessive body roll, squat under acceleration, and a rough ride. The solution is to replace the rear shock absorbers. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400
• Sway Bar Link Failure: The sway bar links can fail, causing a loss of stability and handling. Symptoms include a clunking noise when turning or going over bumps and increased body roll. The solution is to replace the sway bar links. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200

Electrical

• Battery Failure: The battery can fail, causing a loss of electrical power. Symptoms include difficulty starting the vehicle, flickering lights, and a dead battery. The solution is to replace the battery. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200
• Alternator Failure: The alternator can fail, causing a loss of electrical power. Symptoms include flickering lights, a dead battery, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the alternator. Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500
• Starter Failure: The starter motor can fail, causing difficulty starting the vehicle. Symptoms include a clicking sound when starting the vehicle and no starting. The solution is to replace the starter motor. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400

Exterior

• Headlight Failure: The headlights can fail, causing a loss of visibility at night. Symptoms include dim or flickering headlights and no headlights. The solution is to replace the headlights. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200
• Tail Light Failure: The tail lights can fail, causing a loss of visibility at night. Symptoms include dim or flickering tail lights and no tail lights. The solution is to replace the tail lights. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200
• Brake Light Failure: The brake lights can fail, causing a loss of visibility when braking. Symptoms include dim or flickering brake lights and no brake lights. The solution is to replace the brake lights. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200

Interior

• Climate Control Failure: The climate control system can fail, causing a loss of heating and cooling. Symptoms include no heat or AC, intermittent heat or AC, and inconsistent temperature. The solution is to diagnose and repair the climate control system. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600+
• Power Window Failure: The power window motors or switches can fail, causing difficulty or inability to operate the windows. Symptoms include windows not going up or down, slow window operation, and windows going up or down intermittently. The solution is to diagnose and repair the power window system. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+

Summary

The 2001 Buick Park Avenue is a reliable and comfortable luxury sedan. However, it is not without its issues. Some of the most common problems include intake manifold gasket failure, valve cover gasket leaks, oil pressure sensor failure, shift solenoid failure, transmission control module failure, and torque converter failure. The severity of these issues can range from minor annoyances to major repairs. The cost to fix these issues can also vary depending on the severity of the problem. Overall, the 2001 Buick Park Avenue is a solid choice for a luxury sedan, but it is important to be aware of the potential issues before purchasing one.