2004 Buick Park Avenue

Introduction:

The 2004 Buick Park Avenue is a full-size luxury sedan known for its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and powerful engine options. It featured a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.8L V6 engine produced 200 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.8L supercharged V6 delivered 240 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Owners appreciate the Park Avenue’s classic styling, smooth handling, and abundant cabin space. However, it lacks modern amenities and some models have experienced reliability issues.

Engine

3.8L V6

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure: Leaking coolant from the intake manifold gasket, leading to overheating and coolant loss. Requires manifold removal and gasket replacement. $500 - $1000+

3.8L Supercharged V6

• Intercooler Pump Failure: The intercooler pump may fail, causing insufficient cooling to the supercharger. Results in reduced engine power and potential damage to the supercharger. Requires intercooler pump replacement. $1200 - $1500+

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic Transmission

• Solenoid Pack Issues: Faulty solenoid pack can cause shifting problems, such as delayed or harsh shifts. Requires transmission disassembly and solenoid pack replacement. $500 - $1000+
• Torque Converter Shudder: Shuddering during acceleration or deceleration due to a malfunctioning torque converter. Requires torque converter replacement. $1000 - $1500+

Suspension

• Front Strut Mounts: Excessive wear or failure of the strut mounts can cause noise, clunking, and poor handling. Requires strut mount replacement. $200 - $400+
• Rear Control Arms: Worn or damaged rear control arms can lead to alignment issues, uneven tire wear, and handling problems. Requires control arm replacement. $300 - $500+

Electrical

• Battery Discharge: Premature battery discharge due to electrical drain. Requires a thorough electrical inspection to identify the source of the drain. $100 - $500+
• Headlight Switch Malfunction: Faulty headlight switch can cause intermittent headlight operation or complete failure. Requires switch replacement. $150 - $250+

Exterior

• Side Mirror Issues: Power side mirrors may fail to adjust properly or become loose. Requires mirror assembly replacement. $100 - $200+
• Sunroof Drain Clogs: Clogged sunroof drains can cause water leakage into the cabin. Requires drain cleaning or replacement. $100 - $300+

Interior

• Heater Core Leak: Leaking heater core can cause a sweet smell in the cabin and loss of heat. Requires heater core replacement. $500 - $1000+
• Dashboard Cracking: Cracked dashboard caused by sun exposure or temperature changes. Requires dashboard replacement. $500 - $1000+

Summary:

The 2004 Buick Park Avenue is a reliable vehicle, but some models have experienced specific issues, including engine intake manifold gasket failure, intercooler pump failure, transmission solenoid pack problems, worn suspension components, electrical drains, and minor interior issues. While some repairs can be expensive, most are relatively minor and do not affect the overall durability of the vehicle.