Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1996 vs 1997 BUICK PARK AVENUE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 292.7% more reports in the equal exposure window

1996 55 complaints 1997 216 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1996 share 1997 share Share change
SEAT BELTS 1.8% 20.8% ▲ 19.0 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 18.2% 0.9% ▼ 17.3 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16.4% 8.8% ▼ 7.6 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 7.3% 13.4% ▲ 6.2 pts larger share
STEERING 1.8% 7.9% ▲ 6.1 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 9.1% 5.1% ▼ 4.0 pts smaller share
ENGINE 14.6% 18.5% ▲ 4.0 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 1.8% 4.6% ▲ 2.8 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 5.5% 2.8% ▼ 2.7 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 5.5% 7.4% ▲ 2.0 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL not reported 1.9% ▲ 1.9 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 1.8% not reported ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
TIRES 1.8% 0.5% ▼ 1.4 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING not reported 0.9% ▲ 0.9 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 3.6% 2.8% ▼ 0.9 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 80.0% 71.3% ▼ 8.7 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1996 3

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, and SEAT BELTS

1997 3

Campaign components: SEAT BELTS, SEATS, and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
4 → 21
◆ Injuries
7 → 9