1997 Buick Lesabre Fuel system Problems

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED WATER LEAKED INTERNALLY INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBER CAUSING HYDROLOCKING OF ENGINE. UPON RESEARCHING CAUSATIVE ACTIONS I FIND THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND HAS REDESIGNED THE FAULTY PARTS BUT DISAVOW ANY CULPABILITY EVEN THOUGH A CONSCIENTIOUS OWNER WHO PROPERLY MAINTAINS THE VEHICLE CANNOT KNOW WHAT IS TRANSPIRING INSIDE A COMPOSITE MATERIALS INTAKE MANIFOLD,MANY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BURST INTO A FIRE AND DESTROY THE VEHICLES. ONE WOULD TEND TO BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY THREAT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS RECOGNIZED FAILURE OF SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS,I THAT WOULD WARRANT MANUFACTURERS REPLACEMENT TO PROVIDE SAFE TRANSPORTATION. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I NOTED THE VEHICLE ACTING UP AND RETURNED HOME JUST AS THE ENGINE QUIT AND NOW IS HYDROLOCKING DUE TO COOLANT FILLING COMBUSTION CYLINDERS.

NHTSA ID

10956086

Incident

Feb 19, 2017

Mileage

104,970 mi

THE BRAKES MAKE A STRANGE SOUND SOMETIMES & STALL;GAS LEAK;UNDERCARRIAGE IS WEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10532554

Incident

Jul 29, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LASABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR. THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND BACKFIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ID

10504160

Incident

Nov 22, 2012

Mileage

46,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY BACKFIRED AND WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND REFERENCED RECALL 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 146,874.

NHTSA ID

10360550

Incident

Aug 20, 2010

Mileage

146,874 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A COOLANT LEAK. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REMOVE THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND BEGAN TO STALL ONLY IN THE MORNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PAID $850 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A THIRD MECHANIC WHO ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,844. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID

10344898

Incident

Sep 4, 2009

Mileage

56,844 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,212.

NHTSA ID

10329279

Incident

May 4, 2010

Mileage

66,212 mi

AFTER MONTHS OF DEALING WITH NO START OF MY VEHICLE KNOW MY MANIFOLD NEEDS REPLACED I'VE CONTACTED BUICK AND THEY SAY MY VIN IS NOT WITH THE VIN INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL I DON'T UNDER STAND IM LOST I'VE TRIED GETTING HELP WITH THIS SITUATION AND I WILL WRITE BUICK AND EVERYTHING BUT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFAULT THAT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10264100

Incident

Jan 10, 2007

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HALF OF THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS MISSING. HE ADDED MORE RADIATOR FLUID AND NOTICED THAT FLUID CONTINUE TO DISAPPEAR IN THE VEHICLE EVERY FOUR DAYS. AFTER NUMEROUS REFILLS OF RADIATOR FLUID, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE MAIN GAS LINE WAS LEAKING, WHICH CAUSED THE STRONG ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 153,000.

NHTSA ID

10260930

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

153,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE EXPLODED WITH A VERY LOUD NOISE. HE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE ENGINE. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE COVER WERE SHATTERED INTO MANY PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE NEVER SAW A VEHICLE WITH THIS TYPE OF DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE SHOP AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,000.

NHTSA ID

10256316

Incident

Jan 23, 2009

Mileage

13,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. SHE SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. THE DEALERS TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINES AT AN EXPENSE EXCEEDING $350.00. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SHE WILL SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL#96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ID

10252192

Incident

Jun 18, 2008

Mileage

71,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. HE ALSO NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, MORE GASOLINE LEAKED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ID

10216271

Incident

Jan 26, 2008

Mileage

60,000 mi

I TURNED THE IGNITION TO START MY CAR ON 1/17/2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30A AND HEARD A VERY LOUD POP AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE BOTH SHATTERED. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL PERTAINING TO THIS EXACT ISSUE, RECALL NUMBER 96V116000; ADDITIONALLY, I FOUND ANOTHER RECALL PERTAINING TO FAULTY SAFETY BELTS, RECALL NUMBER 96V044000. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE BUICK CORPORATION THAT THERE IS A RECALL BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED FOR SOME UNEXPLAINED REASON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10215239

Incident

Jan 17, 2008

Mileage

177,364 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. HIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,075. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID

10208758

Incident

Nov 5, 2007

Mileage

50,149 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS TIME PROGRESSED, THE RATTLING NOISE GRADUALLY INTENSIFIED. THE OIL PRESSURE BEGAN TO DECREASE AND INCREASE RANDOMLY AND FLUCTUATE FROM LOW TO NO PRESSURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED AND IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 162,000.

NHTSA ID

10191159

Incident

May 16, 2007

Mileage

162,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THERE WAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE THE PIPING ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. THE PIPES WERE ALSO OBSERVED TO BE RUSTED. A SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND BOTH THE DEALER AND THE PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT MANUFACTURER DID NOT USE THE CORRECT QUALITY PARTS.

NHTSA ID

10175927

Incident

Dec 11, 2006

Mileage

100,435 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BACK FIRED CAUSING AN EXPLOSION WHEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO TURN VEHICLE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED UN-DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO DEALERS FOR SERVICE. THE DEALERS DETERMINED THAT A LEAKY FUEL REGULATOR CAUSED THE BACK FIRE THAT DESTROYED UPPER INTAKE OF MANIFOLD, WHICH COULD ALSO LEAD TO FIRES. THE DEALERS REPLACED THE FUEL REGULATOR AND UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED TO SEE IF VEHICLE WAS PART OF A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURERS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10160820

Incident

Jun 22, 2006

Mileage

80,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 96V116000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID

10155283

Incident

Apr 13, 2006

Mileage

105,000 mi

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT ON JULY 1, 2005 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HE THOUGHT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. WHEN HE TRIED TO GET A JUMP AND START IT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BACKFIRE NOISE. AT THAT POINT, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR MAN, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS RECALL 96V116000. HE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL, DEALERSHIP THEN CHECKED WITH GENERAL MOTORS, AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS FOR CANADA., AND BECAUSE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE U.S. IT WOULD NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. CONSUMER THEN CALLED BUICK AND WAS TOLD THE SAME INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID

10127488

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

THE MECHANIC NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE FUEL TANK WHILE CHANGING THE CONSUMERS OIL. *JB THE CONSUMER NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS FOR TWO DAYS. TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN CHILD SAFETY SEATS WERE OVERWELMED BY FUMES. *TC

NHTSA ID

10097238

Incident

Oct 7, 2004

Mileage

83,990 mi

I HAVE A GASOLINE LEAK AT THE JOINT WHERE THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT JOIN THE FUEL LINE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILTERING FRONT OF THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL. AFTER DISCOVERING THE ODOR OF GASOLIONE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, THE ONLY ACTION I HAVE TAKEN IS TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A BUICK DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL LINE SHOWS SIGNIFICATE CORROSION, BUICK HAS DENIED RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THIS CAR. I HAVE REQUESTED RELIEF FROM BUICK THRU GENERAL BUICK CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ONLY TO BE DENIED AGAIN,TODAY, 10/19/2004. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BUICK THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR (VALUE BETWEEN $400-$750). IN MY OPINION, FUEL LEAKS OF ANY NATURE SHOULD NOT PRESENT AN ISSUE TO THE CONSUMER FOR LIFE OF AUTOMOBILE. I AM REQESTING THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION BE ADDED TO YOUR DATABASE IN THE EVENT THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED COMPLAINT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10096015

Incident

Oct 15, 2004

Mileage

100,800 mi

VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN RECALL NOTICE. *BF THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT CAUSED ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDER HEADS. RECALL# 96V116000. *SC THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10097275

Incident

Oct 1, 2004

Mileage

12,900 mi

WHEN CONSUMER STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A HUGE EXPLOSION, THEN FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE BATTERY WAS STILL SMOKING, AND THE ENGINE AND WIRES WERE BURNT. RECALL 96V116000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE FUEL CARBURETOR MANIFOLD INTAKE. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *LA

NHTSA ID

10065321

Incident

Mar 31, 2004

Mileage

55,000 mi

ENGINE STALLED AND THEN STARTED "USING" ANTIFREEZE AND OVERHEATED. THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE CRACKED AND THE LOCAL GM DEALER COULDN'T DIAGNOSE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REFERRED TO RECALL#97-C-02 GM (NHTSA #96V116000), AND WENT RIGHT TO THE PROBLEM. GM DENIES A DEFECT OR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS. SEE COMPLAINT #758801, THIS IS ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL AND PERSONAL INJURY WARNING GIVEN TO GM MECHANICS. PUBLIC NOT WARNED OR REIMBURSED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10023270

Incident

May 25, 2003

Mileage

81,000 mi

THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS IN THE TRUCK AREA OF THE AUTOMOBILE, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10015078

Incident

Apr 2, 2003

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WARPED RESULTING IN A COOLANT LEAK, ALSO RESULTING IN A REPAIR COSTING $655.00. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT GM WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT NOR OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER ELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROMOTION OF THE PETITION AND IS SIGNEE #570, BASED UPON THE FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IN THIS VEHICLE, AS WELL AS THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAILURE REPORTED BY OTHER GM CONSUMERS. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE, THERE APPEARS TO BE A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD WHICH MAY IMPACT THE GENERAL POPULATION. THE CONSUMER ATTACHED A COPY OF THE WARRANTY AND OWNERS ASSISTANCE MANUAL WHICH STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS GUARANTEED 7 YEARS OR 70K MILES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DUE TO THE EMISSIONS STANDARDS IN THAT STATE. THE CONSUMER ADDS THAT; TO HIS BELIEF THAT BY THE VIRTUE OF THIS STATEMENT, THAT GM HAS DEFINED THE PROJECTED LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE PART REGARDLESS OF THE STATE OF RESIDENCE. (NHTSA# 96V116000) *SCC

NHTSA ID

568298