1998 Buick Lesabre

High concern

Owners filed 400 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine › gasoline. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
69,100 milesMedian miles at failure

173 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe49
022
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline39
1140
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine36
050
Engine and Engine Cooling28
020
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery24
132
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System18
010
Fuel System, Gasoline16
031
Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System10
000
Electrical System10
100
Unknown or Other8
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery04V090000
Filed Feb 24, 2004910,873 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 15, 2023231,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 1998 Buick LeSabre. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V090000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and at various speeds, the engine started to misfire. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved code: P0300 (Multiple Random Cylinder Misfire). The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 231,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 26, 2018130,000 milesMI

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. ON FURTHER INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE, BUSHINGS, AND FASTENING HARDWARE ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AS WELL. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT CORRODED IN ANY WAY, NOT EVEN RUST BELT PROBLEM AREAS. FROM RESEARCHING ONLINE (INCLUDING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE) BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON IN LATE 90'S GM W-BODY VEHICLES. HOW THIS HAS NOT ELEVATED INTO A SAFETY INVESTIGATION BY NOW IS TROUBLING TO ME. FORD WAS REQUIRED TO RECALL DUE TO RUSTING BRAKE LINES...... DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FOR THE NHSTA TO INVESTIGATE?

Engine
Filed Nov 1, 201790,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.

Engine
Filed Aug 3, 2017106,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED THE ODOMETER MILEAGE OF 99,999, IT FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 10, 2016148,000 milesOH

THE SUB FRAME (SOMETIMES CALLED ENGINE CRADLE) BUSHINGS, RETAINERS, AND THE SUB FRAME ITSELF WHEREIN THEY MOUNT, ARE DECAYED. SOME BUSHINGS AND RETAINERS ARE COMPLETELY MISSING. HAVING INVESTIGATED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REPAIR, I HAVE FOUND THAT NEARLY ALL GM CARS WITH THIS MOUNTING SYSTEM ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE, IN THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. IN MY OPINION THIS IS THE RESULT OF A DESIGN OR MATERIALS FAILURE, INCORPORATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED.THE REPAIR COST OF THE PARTS, FROM GM "DEALER ONLY", IS PROHIBITIVE. IS THIS BEING CONSIDERED FOR A MANDATORY RECALL.?

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 13, 2016KY

MY CAR SEEMS TO JUST DIE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT THEM YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT A FEW MINS BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN AND NO BODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE TO YOU

Suspension
Filed Feb 4, 201581,958 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING INTO DRIVE WAY AND HEARD A LOUD THUD THEN NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER. I PUT THE CAR UP ON RAMPS AND ALL FOUR REAR SUB FRAME BUSHINGS WHERE MISSING. THIS COMPONENT HOLDS THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND STEERING TO THE CAR.!!!! BEING A TECHNICIAN ,I LOOKED ON LINE TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FOUND IT IS VERY COMMON . IF I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. THANKFULLY I WAS DOING 10 MPH MANY ON LINE COMPLAINTS TALK ABOUT PEOPLE LOOSING CONTROL. OR THE FRONT END DROPPING FENDERS ON TO TIRES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY. ISSUE AND I HAVE FOUND IT SPANS 1992 TO 1999. GM MODELS. THIS IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS THE IGNITION PROBLEM POSSIBLY WORSE SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS. IF YOU CHECK ONLY AT WWW.CARGURUS.COM THEY HAVE A SECTION TITLED { CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE 92-99 BUICK } PLEASE LOOK AND DO SOMETHING BEFORE. SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 27, 2014AL

I CAME HOME AFTER BIBLE STUDY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND GOT UP THURSDAY THEN THE SECURITY LIGHT WENT BLINKING. MY HUSBAND HAD THE KEY IGNITION REPLACE THEN BROUGHT NEW KEY BUT CAR STILL WOULDN'T START SO HAD THE CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED. 10 MONTHS AND THREE WEEKS THE CAR DID THE SAME BUT I WAS DRIVING THIS TIME AND IT SHUT DOWN IN THE ROAD WITH ME AND MY CHILDREN. IT WAS FRIGHTEN BUT WE MADE IT SAFELY OUT OF THE ROAD BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPEN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN . I AM UPSET ABOUT THE PROBLEM. A CAR HAS NO BUSINESS SHUTTING OFF IN THE ROAD WHILE A PERSON IS DRIVING IT ACCIDENT OR NO ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT IN DANGER PEOPLES LIFE. A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR MANY PEOPLE WHOM HAVE THESE CARS MADE BY GM. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jul 23, 201493,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TWICE AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND UNPROTECTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Suspension
Filed May 8, 2014120,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CROSSARM AND FOUR CRADLE BOLTS AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 2013133,414 milesMO

BRAKES WENT OUT, HAD NO PEDAL AT ALL. MANAGED TO GET HOME. FLUID FULL. MASTER CYLINDER OK. BRAKE SHOES NEW. BRAKE FLUID NOT LEAKING. OIL IS LEAKING, BUT NO BRAKE FLUID AT ALL. CANNOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM. CANNOT GET ANY PEDAL ON THE BRAKES. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 7, 2013163,885 milesFL

OBSERVED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR AFTER DRIVING THE CAR. THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR WAS A LEAK IN THE NYLON FUEL PRESSURE LINE FEEDING THE REAR FUEL RAIL ON THE ENGINE. THE LEAK IN THE LINE WAS CAUSED BY THE ENGINE SHROUD. THE ENGINE HAS A REMOVABLE PLASTIC SHROUD, AND THE EDGE OF THE SHROUD WAS RUBBING ON THE FUEL LINE AND EVENTUALLY CUT THROUGH THE LINE AND CREATED A PINHOLE LEAK. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2013166,980 milesNC

THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THE VEHICLE CUTTING OFF WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. THE VEHICLE JUST CUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION WAS SWITCHED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT "45 MPH". THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN PUT IN PARK. THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON WITH THE IGNITION KEY. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT "55 MPH". THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN PUT IN PARK. THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON WITH THE IGNITION KEY.

Engine
Filed Oct 9, 201286,240 milesAR

THE VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT HAD A MISS, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FLASHING, THEN STOPPED FLASHING BUT REMAINED ON. I DROVE VEHICLE HOME, AND THE NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT HAD HYDRO LOCKED DUE TO COOLANT DRIPPING ON THE PISTON FROM A COOLANT LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS IS NOT A CHEAP REPAIR. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 23, 201261,502 milesFL

1998 BUICK - LESABRE ,THE INTAKE PLENUM HAD A HOLE IN IT BECAUSE IT GOT TO HOT,AND ANTIFREEZE WENT INTO THE BLOCK. BUICK HAS HAD THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. NO RECALL , IT COST ME $785.76 TO HAVE FIXED. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. THIS IS BS. THERE ARE 1000S OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS CAR. I HAVE 61502 MILES ON THIS CAR. MY MECHANIC SAID HE HAS FIXED ATLEAST 30 OVER THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE BUICK-LESABRE 1992 AND UP. TIMES ARE HARD RIGHT NOW, I DON'T HAVE HIS KIND OF MONEY. I JUST DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM, WITH THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM. BUICK NEEDS TO CALL A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. LETS HELP EACH OTHER OUT ,AND CALL EVERY NEWS STATION,PAPER. AND GET IT RESOLVED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 13, 2011NC

I HAVE A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CAR STOPPED WHEN IT WAS PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, IT MADE A SCREECHING SOUND. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE STARTER "EXPLODED" BECAUSE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE PLENEUM INTO THE CYLINDERS AND STARTER. THE MECHANIC ADVISED IT WOULD COST OVER $800.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 18, 2011150,000 milesFL

MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER ON THE 16, OF SEPTEMBER, 2011 AND AS HE WAS DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF. THANKFULLY HE WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 35 BUT HAD IT BEEN ELSEWHERE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE CAR CUT OFF HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND MADE IT HOME AFTER PICKING UP HIS SISTER. EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN MY CAR ON. I ASKED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I SHOULD INSERT THE KEY TURN IT ON WAIT A MINUTE AND THEN TURN KEY OFF. WAIT 10 MINUTES AND TRY TO START MY CAR. I DID JUST THAT AND MY CAR IS NOT GOING ON AT ALL. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS IT THAT I SHOULD DO NEXT? VERY FRUSTRATED I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK. *TT

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 11, 2011114,000 milesMI

THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE AUTOMOBILE IS FAULTY. THE GAUGE GIVES INACCURATE AND RANDOM FUEL LEVEL READINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed May 4, 201183,000 milesNY

1998 BUICK LESABRE CRASHED AT LOW SPEED CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE, ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS, LEAVING ME WITH BILLS OF OVER $10,000 FOR LOST CAR, REPAIRS, INSURANCE. PROBLEM HAD ARISEN ON AND OFF SINCE ACQUIRING CAR AT 65,000 MILES..TWICE TAKEN IN TO GM DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PROBLEM WOULD DISAPPEAR FOR MONTHS AND THEN REAPPEAR. NUMEROUS MECHANICS CHECKED AND COULD NOT FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM. AFTER CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL, NEWS STORY RAN ABOUT TOYOTA CARS STALLING OUT DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE CONTROL MODULES (NHTSA REPORT #PE09054). THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS MADE BY DELPHI..WHICH WAS OWNED BY GENERAL MOTORS..MAKERS OF THE BUICK LESABRE. I CONTACTED GM HEADQUARTERS TO ASK IF THE CONTROL MODULE IN MY PART WAS MADE BY GM/DELPHI. THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER ME, SAYING THAT AS NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED AND MY CAR WAS GONE,THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME. MEANWHILE, IT TURNS OUT THAT GM DID OWN DELPHI IN 1998, DID MANUFACTURE THOSE MODULES, WHICH HAD TO HAVE BEEN IN THE BUICK LESABRES,AND WERE YEARS LATER CAUSING IDENTICAL ENGINE FAILURES IN TOYOTAS. THOSE PARTS ARE OUT THERE TODAY, WAITING FOR SOMETHING HORRIBLE TO HAPPEN. AMONG THE 12 SUMMARIES YOU HAVE ON YOUR SITE FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH BUICK LESABRES, ONE IS EVEN WORSE THAN MINE "REPORT #9001048 "COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH A TRAGEDY BARELY AVOIDED, TRANSMISSION FAILURE". WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AT 65,000 MILES IT HAD A SERIOU

Suspension › Rear
Filed Mar 21, 2011100,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 1998 BUICK LESABRE AND THE CAR HAS DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

20 of 400 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20063000Routine
200577030Routine
2004162050Routine
2003164140Routine
20023102120Above average
20013280220High concern
20006695300High concern
19992092202Fatalities reported
1998 — this page4001430High concern
19973942311Fatalities reported
199698200Routine
1995178130Routine
1994158060Routine
19931941210High concern
19921892230High concern
199130130Routine
199046100Routine

Compare every Lesabre year →

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 24, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.