848 of the
4,865 complaints filed about the Buick Lesabre
are about the engine —
17% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
The contact's friend owns a 1997 Buick LeSabre The contact stated that the hood was difficult to open and close. The latch was in the correct location. The contact stated that while her roommate was driving at 45 MPH, the hood opened and detached. The driver pulled over, and a 2012 Chevrolet crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries. The air bags did not deploy, and there was no fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. The contact called the dealer, who informed them that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 196,400.
NHTSA complaint #11574509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11527270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator without warning. The contact stated that a black smoke began to emit from the engine as he was able to pull into an independent mechanic shop. The contact immediately exited the vehicle as flames began to emit from the vehicle's engine. Employees from the independent mechanic attempted to assist with the fire as the fire department was called to the scene. Police and fire arrived at the scene as the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed and the contact was given a police report number(#C221CR384628). No injuries were reported and no medical assistance was needed. The vehicle remained in the possession of the independent mechanic where it was deemed a total loss. The vehicle was eventually towed to an independent junk yard and destroyed. The dealer nor the manufacturer have yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 191,900.
NHTSA complaint #11437748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2003 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that after his friend drove the vehicle to his residence, there was a burning oil odor detected. The contact opened the hood and there was smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as a valve cover gasket leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the failure could lead to an engine compartment fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 136,776.
NHTSA complaint #11418796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE SAW SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WAS UP IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND COULD EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTIFIED A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11400037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HER HUSBAND TURNED THE IGNITION ON, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WHEN HE LIFT THE HOOD, IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FRACTURED AND THAT THE COVER HAD BLOWN OFF DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,060.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11388857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE VALVE COVER WAS FAULTY AND OIL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE LOCAL DEALER WALLINGFORD BUICK LOCATED AT 1122 OLD NORTH COLONY RD, WALLINGFORD, CT 06492 AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11388356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE LINES RUSTING EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED THE RUSTY BRAKE LINES BEFORE. THE FIRST TIME THEY ROTTED THROUGH AND I COULD NOT STOP BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING SLOW AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #11376472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I TURN THE IGNITION OVER DIDN'T IT DID NOT EVEN START YET A LOUD WENT BOOM AND UP UNDER THE HOOD WAS BLAZING WITH FIRE THAN MY DOORS LOCKED I COULD NOT GET OUT I HAD TO KICK THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND THEN I GOT OUT I HAD TO CALL SLEEP FIRE RESCUE SQUAD THE FIRE WAS SO BAD IT WAS GOING UP UNDER MY CARPORT AND ALMOST CAUGHT MY ROOF ON FIRE AND ALMOST DID AND DID A LITTLE BIT
NHTSA complaint #11331285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS, WHEN HIS FATHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE BATTERY WHEN ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT AND HIS FATHER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE WAS INJURED. A DEALER HAD NOT BEEN AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,348.
NHTSA complaint #11322142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COVER AND FUEL FILTER EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DONATED.
NHTSA complaint #11292548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I NEED TO REPORT MY 2000 BUICK LESABRE, APPARENTLY HAS AND OIL LEAK. WHILE DRIVING, YOU CAN SMELL OIL LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST PIPES/MANIFOLD SYSTEM. I READ WHERE SOME ENGINES WITH THE 3.8L ENGINES: CHEVY'S, PONTIAC'S, BUICK REGAL'S ARE BEING RECALLED FOR OIL LEAKING FROM VALVE COVER GASKETS (WHEN HARD BRAKING IS APPLIED) ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM PARTS AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE, IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.. I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE. I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED ON THESE MODEL BUICK'S 2000 - 2005, FOR OIL LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM. THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #11292300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES APPEARED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS FOR THE CONTACT'S SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BROWN & WOOD INC. (329 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC 27834, (252) 227-0948) WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER REPAIR INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #11246648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THE ENGINE STALLS AND JERKED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO GO THE GEARS DIDN'T SHIFT LIKE USUAL. DRIVING LONG DISTANCES IT DOESN'T DO THIS UNTIL YOU'RE DRIVING AND STOPPING EVERY SO OFTEN. SOMETIMES TURNING INTO A PLACE THE ENGINE WOULDN'T GO AND ALMOST CAUSED CRASHES.
NHTSA complaint #11155414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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?
NHTSA complaint #11122378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.