FaultScore

2001 Buick Lesabre fuel system problems

17 of the 460 complaints about the 2001 Buick Lesabre are about the fuel system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 105,000 miles.

F

17

Complaints

0

Crashes

5

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel/Propulsion System 7 41.2%
Fuel System, Gasoline 4 23.5%
Fuel System, Other 2 11.8%
Pressure Relief Devices 2 11.8%
Fuel Pump 1 5.9%
Fuel Pump 1 5.9%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Buick Lesabre year

1992 12 4.3%
1996 10 3.6%
1997 46 16.6%
1998 80 28.9%
1999 28 10.1%
2000 60 21.7%
2001 17 6.1%
2002 11 4.0%
2004 13 4.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 70,000 miles Ekalaka, MT Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE IGNITED WITHOUT WARNING UNDER THE HOOD AFTER THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COVER FOR THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL SYSTEM HAD FLOWN OFF. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA02030 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURES AS THE RECALL AND NHTSA INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11181805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Beverly, MA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I BOUGHT A CAR ON JUNE 17TH I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR SO I TOLD THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM I WANTED IT INSPECTED BEFORE I MADE A DECISION TO BUY IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE SHE BROUGHT IT TO HER INSPECTION STATION IN IT GOT IN INSPECTION STICKER STATING THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AS I DROVE IT HOME I NOTICED THAT IT WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN IN THAT THE FRONT-END AND BACK-END WOULD HIT THE GROUND I HAD A FRIEND LOOK AT IT THAT KNOWS ABOUT CARS AND TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT AND BACK STRUTS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND IT ALSO HAD FOR BALD TIRES AND THERE IS OIL SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE I CONTACTED THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM AND SHE WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS AND WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH GIVING ME MY MONEY BACK I ALSO WENT BACK TO THE INSPECTION STATION AND ASKED HOW THE HECK DID THIS CAR GET IN INSPECTION STICKER I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE I NEED ADVICE AND WHERE I SHOULD GO FROM HERE

NHTSA complaint #11001309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Tucson, AZ

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. SEVERE HESITATION AND LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE REPLACED THE 3 IGNITION COILS, THE IGNITION MODULE, NEW SPARK PLUGS, AND A WIRE SET. I HAVE BEEN READING ALOT ABOUT FIRES ON THIS SITE. YESTERDAY 7/7/16 WHEN I CAME HOME THERE WAS A LOUD WEERING SOUND, AND ONCE I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE THEIR WAS A LOUD PIERCING WHISTLE AS IF BUILT UP PRESSURE WAS BEING RELIEVED UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. TODAY AGAIN A LACK OF POWER, FLASHING SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, AND NO POWER. I AFRAID THE ENGINE MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE AS IN OTHER POSTINGS ON THIS SITE.

NHTSA complaint #10883694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middleburg, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND SENDER BECAUSE OF ERRATIC LEVELS 6 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM ARROSE

NHTSA complaint #10855696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 250,000 miles Sharpsburg, GA Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

OUR BUICK HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE, BUT WENT TO MOVE IT ONE MORNING. WITH A COLD ENGINE, AS SOON AS WE HIT THE STARTER, THE ENGINE EXPLODED VERY LOUDLY AND STARTED BURNING. AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD, ALONG WITH THE FUEL LINES HAD EXPLODED IN MANY PIECES. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAD A RECALL FOR VEHICLE YEARS '98-'00, WHICH THESE MODELS HAD THE SAME CONDITION. HAD I HAD THE HOOD OPEN AT THE TIME, I'D PROBABLY BEEN HURT BY FLYING CHUNKS FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED BODILY HARM, EVEN FROM FIRE TO THE PASSENGERS INSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10836872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,463 miles Bracey, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE GAS HAND SAID IT WAS FULL, WHEN I DROVE OFF THE PARKING LOT.. I DIDN'T GET OFF THE ROAD, WHEN THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS. CARS BLOWING HORNS.

NHTSA complaint #10748844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Richmond, VA Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I TRY TO START THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN THEN I HEARD A BIG LOUD SOUND FROM THE ENGINE A BOOB SOUND. I NOTICE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. MY BROTHER WAS OUTSIDE WHEN THE LOUD SOUND WENT OFF. MY BROTHER AND I MOVE THE OTHER VEHICLES OUT OF THE WAY SO IT WOULDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. WENT BACK OVER TO THE CAR MY BROTHER TRIED TO PURSUE WITH THE MATTER AND HE NOTICE HE WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE THE SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE IT WAS TO MUCH FOR HIM TO HANDLE SO HE TOLD ME TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND DID THAT. ENGINE WAS ON FIRE SPREADING LARGER SURROUNDING THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IN FLAMES. THE POLICE CAME AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVE A COUPLES MINUTES AFTER THAT. THEY SPREAD IT DOWN WITH FIRE HOSES AND THAT WAS IT. IT NOT FIXABLE AND IT SCARED VERY BAD THIS IS REALLY BAD SO THAT'S WHY I'M WRITING THIS TO SOLVE THIS MATTER .

NHTSA complaint #10692671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Kansas City, KS Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND FIRE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10672651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,592 miles East Bethany, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL GAUGE BECAME ERRATIC AND NO LONGER REFLECTED THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK NOTE: I HAVE TWO 2001 BUICK LESABRES. MY OTHER ONE (VIN [XXX]) DEVELOPED THE SAME PROBLEM AROUND DECEMBER 2012 - MILEAGE: 64,447. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10618137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Cumming, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP JULY 2011. ONE WEEK LATER LEFT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT FUNCTION. FEBRUARY 2012 RIGHT REAR WINDOW FAILED. APRIL 2012 LEFT REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. SO FAR, THE WINDOWS HAVE COST ME $735.00 IN LESS THAN A YEAR. CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLES A LOT IN MORNING WHEN CAR IS COLD. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY AAMCO CAN BE REPLACED AT BUICK'S EXPENSE, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10456536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Winter Park, FL Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I THINK THIS IS AN ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS APPEARED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS (GM RECALL NO. 03054B. SEE CAMPAIGN 03V-473). THIS RECALL ADDRESSES THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED WITH MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE. I CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS COVERAGE FOR IT AND THEY TOLD ME NOT AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAUSES A FIRE AND IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE DAMAGED COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THIS HAD BEEN INCLUDED AND I THINK THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THEY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10345275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,649 miles LAS Vegas, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LEAKING FROM REAR OF ENGINE FUEL LINE. MY WIFE NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN OUR GARAGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL BUICK/GMC DEALER IN LAS VEGAS, NV. THE DEALER IDENTIFIED A "REAR FEED FUEL LINE LEAKING, SEAL WORN INTERNALLY". UPON INQUIRY THERE IS A "NATIONAL BACKORDER" FOR THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY (AT $600.00 PLUS DOLLARS FOR THE PART ALONE). I UNDERSTOOD FROM ONE OF THE MECHANICS, THAT IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I CONTACTED BUICK, BUT THEY DECLINED THE REPAIR CLAIMING THAT "MOTOR VEHICLES ARE COMPLEX MACHINERY AND SOMETIMES REQUIRE REPAIRS". I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT IF IT DID NOT INVOLVE LEAKY FUEL LINES, AND A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD !! PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10297826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Concord, KY

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

EVER SINCE I GOT MY CAR, A 2001 BUICK LESABRE, IN APPROX 2006 I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE GAS GAGE, I CAN'T TRUST IT, IT GOES UP AND DOWN, I HAVE SEEN ON THE NET THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10233999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garland, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

DT: 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THIS CAUSED AN ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT SURE WHY THIS HAPPENED. THEY JUST REPLACED IT. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED GMC YET.

NHTSA complaint #10133162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,276 miles Venice, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

2001 BUICK LESABRE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT SET, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD NO REVERSE ABILITY, WATER LEAKING FROM THE COOLANT PUMP, SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED, LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THERE WAS A WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM AROUND THE WINDOW AREA DUE TO A REVEALING MOLDING PIECE, THE STEERING FELT FUNNY AND WAS NOISY WHEN TURNING, THERE WAS ALSO A CLUNK IN THE STEERING, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE RIGHT AND LEFT TIE ROD END, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT, THE RIGHT REAR CENTER BULB WAS OUT, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY HAD LEAKED ACID CAUSING A HOLE IN FLOOR UNDER THE BACK SEAT, THE LIGHT SWITCH STUCK IN THE ON POSITION, AND THE RIGHT FRONT MARKER LIGHT OUT. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10124783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Brainerd, MN

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

THE KEYS TURNED IN THE IGNITION BUT VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. THERE WAS A GAS SMELL. ALSO, ENGINE FELT LIKE IS WAS FLOODING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10099750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,069 miles Desmoines, IA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BUICK LOST THE BBB DECISION AND DID NOT PERFORM WITHIN THE 40 DAYS ALLOTTED TO REPLACE THE CAR. THE CAR HAS MULTIPLE SAFETY DEFECTS (AIR BAG, TRANSMISSION, BRAKING) THAT THE BBB SAID COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. THEY WANT TO BUY BACK THE CAR AND INSPECT IT SO IT CAN BE RESOLD. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10016185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Buick Lesabre problems

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