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1998 Buick Park Avenue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Park Avenue years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Buick Park Avenue are substantially higher than the model-year median of 40.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

83 reports with mileage · 163 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports29 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

97 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2001 AT 48,000 MILES. TO CORRECT THE COOLANT LOSS THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX. $500.00. THE SECOND OCCURANCE WAS AT 103,000 MILES, THIS TIME GM HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 01-06-01-007A DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND INDICATING THAT NOW BOT…

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THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2001 AT 48,000 MILES. TO CORRECT THE COOLANT LOSS THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX. $500.00. THE SECOND OCCURANCE WAS AT 103,000 MILES, THIS TIME GM HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 01-06-01-007A DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND INDICATING THAT NOW BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS NEED TOBE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, COST $750.00. IT IS MY FEELING THAT SINCE GM KNOWS THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF FAULTY MATERIAL THEY SHOULD COVER AT LEAST THE COST OF THE PARTS, WHICH THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO. DT

NHTSA ODI #770627

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THE MOTOR "LOCKED UP" WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023663

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION, CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS A BIG EXPLOSION UNDER HOOD, POPPED HOOD AND SAW FLAMES, WENT FOR HELP. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021979

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 6 DAYS. WEATHER WAS SLIGHT DRIZZLE, WITH TEMPERATURE ABOUT 50 DEGREES. AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 PM ON 10/25/2002, I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT. I HEARD A LOT POP FROM THE ENGINE. THE POP WAS SO LOUD THAT NEIGHBORS APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET DOWN THE STREET CAME OUT OF THEIR CLOSED HOUSES TO D…

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THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 6 DAYS. WEATHER WAS SLIGHT DRIZZLE, WITH TEMPERATURE ABOUT 50 DEGREES. AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 PM ON 10/25/2002, I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT. I HEARD A LOT POP FROM THE ENGINE. THE POP WAS SO LOUD THAT NEIGHBORS APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET DOWN THE STREET CAME OUT OF THEIR CLOSED HOUSES TO DISCOVER WHAT HAPPENED. SMOKE BEGIN TO POUR FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN FLAMES APPEARED. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. CAR WILL PROBABLY BE TOTALLED. DT

NHTSA ODI #768965

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE COOLANT DEX COOL LEAKED INTO ENGINE THROUGH DEFECT IN UPPER MANIFOLD, DESTROYING ENTIRE ENGINE, REQUIRING COMPLETE NEW ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #766722

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HAS STALLED 9 TIMES WITHIN LAST TWO MONTHS. CAR CHECKED BY FIRST DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE PROBLEM ORIGIN. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE CHECKED BY 2ND DEALER WHO REPLACED COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF VEHICLE ON ROAD WITH STALLI…

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VEHICLE HAS STALLED 9 TIMES WITHIN LAST TWO MONTHS. CAR CHECKED BY FIRST DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE PROBLEM ORIGIN. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE CHECKED BY 2ND DEALER WHO REPLACED COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF VEHICLE ON ROAD WITH STALLING PROBLEMS. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MACK BROWN (BUICK DEALER), BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTING WRONG. THE VEHICLE HAD STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN 150 MILES AND IT STOPPED AGAIN, AND AT 200 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO TOM BROOKS (DEALER). THE PROBLEM STILL MAY NOT BE SOLVED. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8017824

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. R&R UPPER INTAKE, CLEAN WATER OF OF INTAKE, REPLACE PLUGS, MANIFOLD, COOLANT. OWNER NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. EXITED INTERSTATE AND DROVE HOME (APROX. 1/4 MILE OR LESS). VEHICLE PARKED IN OWNER'S GARAGE. OW…

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ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. R&R UPPER INTAKE, CLEAN WATER OF OF INTAKE, REPLACE PLUGS, MANIFOLD, COOLANT. OWNER NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. EXITED INTERSTATE AND DROVE HOME (APROX. 1/4 MILE OR LESS). VEHICLE PARKED IN OWNER'S GARAGE. OWNER TRIED TO RESTART CAR AND ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766403

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CRACK IN PLASTIC COVER OF THE MANIFOLD/EMISSION SYSTEM. THERE WAS A POP AND THE PARKING AREA FILLED WITH BLACK/BLUE SMOKE. CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER THE INCIDENT. TSB SENT OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, VEHICLE 36TH MONTH OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD. REFERENCED IN EA02-030

NHTSA ODI #9005317

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

MOTOR COOLANT IS LEAKING WATER INTO THE ENGINE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8009531

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WHILE TURNING ON VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION THAT CAME FROM ENGINE, CAUSING CABINET DOOR TO BLOW OPEN. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE FUEL REGULATOR WAS FAULTY, TOO MUCH PRESS. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8007562

Official recalls

2

04V090000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Feb 24, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

00V117000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing

Apr 18, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELTS THAT MAY TWIST, ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE BELT MAY BE UNUSABLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF UPDATED FRONT SHOULDER BELT BEZELS AND WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW FRONT SEAT SHOULDER BELT OPENING BEZEL KITS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

5

RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure

Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

Steering:rack And Pinion

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.

EA00002 · Front Shoulder Belt Malfunction

Opened Jan 6, 2000 · Closed May 2, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE99056 · Front Shoulder Belt Malfunction

Opened Sep 2, 1999 · Closed Jan 6, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available