1998 Buick Lesabre Engine Problems

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 ID

11527270

Incident

Oct 15, 2022

Mileage

231,000 mi

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 ID

11122378

Incident

Aug 23, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11042037

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11012681

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

106,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10628719

Incident

Aug 9, 2013

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.

NHTSA ID

10522642

Incident

Jun 12, 2013

Mileage

166,980 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10479453

Incident

Oct 7, 2012

Mileage

86,240 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10467110

Incident

Jul 13, 2012

Mileage

61,502 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10430035

Incident

Oct 12, 2011

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED, THE CAR STARTED CONSUMING DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE, BUT NONE WAS NOTICED LEAKING EXTERNAL TO THE ENGINE. THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD MADE OF PLASTIC APPARENTLY WARPED, AND/OR A HOLE BURNED IN NEAR THE EGR STOVE PIPE, THUS DUMPING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE AND HYDROLOCKING THE ENGINE. MAJOR PROBLEM, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WOULD NOT START OR RUN. THIS CAR HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH BOTH REGULAR OIL AND COOLANT CHANGES, THE CAR HAS BEEN ADULT DRIVING . COST TO REPAIR $450.00 FOR JUST UPPER INTAKE, ADD ANOTHER $450 FOR THE LOWER INTAKE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10266015

Incident

Mar 20, 2009

Mileage

62,000 mi

MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND MY ENGINE LOCKED UP, I WAS INFORMED FROM MY MECHANIC THAT GM WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND CAME OUT WITH A BETTER ONE MADE OF METAL. THIS A COSTLY MISTAKE LEADING TO 850 DOLLARS OF REPAIR, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF GM WOULD HAVE STEPPED UP WITH THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEW GASKET INSTEAD OF CAUSING MORE DAMAGE THEN NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10263584

Incident

Mar 26, 2009

Mileage

150,000 mi

BOUGHT A USED (2 OWNER) BUICK LESABRE IN DEC '08 HAVING 37,428 . IN EARLY MARCH, '09, AFTER LESS THAN 4000 MILES, STARTED HEARING A BRIEF GURGLING WHEN ENGINE TURNED OFF. IN MID-MARCH, WHILE PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY FROM A SLIGHT UPWARD GRADE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND A DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION TOOK PLACE FOR A FEW SECONDS....NEARLY CAUSING AN ONCOMING TRUCK TO COLLIDE WITH US.TOOK VEHICLE INTO A NATIONAL FRANCHISED TRANSMISSION DEALER FOR CHECKUP...TRANSMISSION CHECKED OK. HOWEVER, TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED RADIATOR FLUID IN MANIFOLD INTAKE AREA. SUSPECTING LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD SEAL AND/OR CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD COVER. NEED TO USE THE VEHICLE, BUT HAVE TO WAIT FOR REPAIR UNTIL MONEY CAN BE PUT TOGETHER. AM A DISABLED EX MARINE,VIETNAM VET.. SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY PREVALENT ONE ,BASED ON WHAT IS ON THE NET. REPLACEMENT PART IS ONLY 140.00 THROUGH A NATIONAL PARTS COMPANY. THE AUTO SHOPS ARE QUOTING OVER 800.00 TO FIX. C'MON, LET'S GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!! HAVEN'T YOU NOTICED THE POWER FAILURES IN SOME OF THE REPORTS??I WOULD THINK GM WOULD DO A VOLUNTEER RECALL, RATHER THAN RISK REPUTATION, AND CONSUMER LIFE&LIMB. THE PROBLEM IS THAT GM WAS USING HAVELIN'S 'ORANGE' ANTIFREEZE (DEXTROL) AND IT WAS FAULTY. IT WAS CONGEALING IN THE ENGINE, DISRUPTING COOLANT FLOW, THEREBY CAUSING OVERHEATING ENOUGH TO BLOW INTAKE MANIFOLDS AND/OR GASKETS........SEEMS THE 8 AUTO TECH'S I'VE TALKED TO OVER THE PAST WEEK KNOW THIS. SO, WHY DON'T THE INDUSTRY AND GOV."EXPERTS"??? *TR

NHTSA ID

10263051

Incident

Mar 18, 2009

Mileage

41,000 mi

THE BELT TENSIONER IS MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH BROKE DISABLING THE CAR WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED. OIL LEAK CAME FROM LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, GATHERED AROUND BOTTOM AT OIL PAN, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ALSO MADE OF PLASTIC LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO ENGINE. TENSIONER WAS REPLACED WITH SAME PLASTIC BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN RE-DESIGNED,SAME WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, THEREFORE, IT WILL GIVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10252296

Incident

Nov 25, 2008

Mileage

66,506 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL IN THE ANTIFREEZE BUCKET IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING COILS HAD BURST IN THE RADIATOR. CURRENTLY, ANTIFREEZE HAS SETTLED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED FOR A PRESSURE LEAK AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND ONE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 06/25/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/25/08

NHTSA ID

10229865

Incident

Sep 15, 2004

Mileage

26,000 mi

HAD ANTI-FREEZE IN THE OIL. PLASTIC INTAKE GASKET WAS BROKEN. I UNDERSTAND THIS OCCURS IN MANY 3.8 ENGINES. HAD TO HAVE NEW GASKET INSTALLED AT A COST OF ABOUT $700 DOLLARS. THE CAR IS A 1998 BUICK LASABRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10229668

Incident

Oct 24, 2007

Mileage

83,000 mi

1998 BUICK LESABRE WITH CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO INTENTION OF SENDING OUT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM OR REIMBURSING THE CUSTOMERS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH CAUSED ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10217171

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT NOR DID ANY OTHER LIGHT COME ON. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AS SMOOTH AS IT ALWAYS HAS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE ENGINE COOL. I SAW THE WATER WAS LOW SO I WENT INSIDE AND GOT WATER TO PUT IN IT. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE EXHAUST. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG BEFORE THEY CHECKED THE CAR BECAUSE THEY HAD HAD OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER REPLACING THE MANIFOLD, GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS, DEXCOOL, PIPE ASM, SEALS, THERMOSTAT, STARTER, OIL FILTER, OIL, THE CAR RAN AGAIN. OF COURSE, I WAS OUT $1049.27. THAT WAS 12 DAYS AGO. TONIGHT THE CAR BEGAN CLATTERING AND TOMORROW THE CAR WILL GO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR MORE REPAIR. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE LIFTERS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED BEFORE ALL THE TROUBLE BEGAN. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10216314

Incident

Jan 16, 2008

Mileage

79,917 mi

MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE LTD, 73,943 MI,STARTED TO REQUIRE WATER TO BE ADDED TO THE OVERFLOW TANK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A GM GARAGE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER ENGINE AND OIL. THIS REPAIR COST$1200. TO CORRECT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND GM HAS TURNED IT'S HEAD TO THE ISSUE. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10211576

Incident

Dec 3, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED OUT OF CONTROL AND STALLED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

NHTSA ID

10197489

Incident

Jun 17, 2007

Mileage

82,000 mi

98 BUICK LESABRE. 3.8 DRIVING UP HILL, DOWN HILL, COASTING, IT DOESN'T MATTER. 1 OR 2 TIMES A WEEK THE ENGINE JUST DIES. SOMETIMES I CAN CATCH IT FULL THROTTLE AND IT WILL PICK UP AND RUN FINE. OR THROW IT IN ON THE FLY AND RESTART INSTANTLY. NEW FUEL PUMP AND FILTER USUALLY STARTS GOOD. SOME TIMES I HAVE TO STOP CRANKING IT AFTER 5 SEC 1,2,3 TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS 1 TIME EVERY WEEK OR TWO. I CAN'T LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR THEY WILL PULL OUT IN FRONT OF A TRUCK AND THE CAR WILL QUIT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10184631

Incident

Oct 5, 2006

Mileage

100,000 mi

1998 LESABRE UPPER MANIFOLD PLENUM OVER HEATED, MELTED, CAUSING A HOLE WHICH ALLOWED ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE OIL. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID

10169095

Incident

Jul 1, 2006

INTAKE MANIFOLD BURNED AT EGR PASSAGE ADJACENT TO THROTTLE BODY COOLANT PASSAGE(ALL PLASTIC- ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS PROBABLY CAST ALUMINUM). SUBSEQUENT COOLANT LOSS INTO ENGINE AIR INTAKE CAUSES ERRATIC OPERATION AND PROBABLE ENGINE DAMAGE. REPLACED MANIFOLD WITH NEW ONE AT A COST OF $500 PARTS PLUS 5 HOUR. LABOR COMPLAINED TO GM BUT TO NO AVAIL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10164381

Incident

Oct 14, 2003

Mileage

79,000 mi

INTERMITTENT SMALL LEAK OF ANTI-FREEZE/COOLANT THAT SHOWS UP ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HAVE TRACED THAT IT EMANATES FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE NEAR THE THROTTLE MOUNTING AND THEN DRIPS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE OVER THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND ONTO THE FLOOR. WAS ADVISED BY A GM MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THROTTLE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT MAY RELATE TO THIS LEAKAGE. LOCAL BUICK DEALER INDICATED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. NONETHELESS, I HAVE THAT PROBLEM OF COOLANT LEAKAGE FROM THAT AREA OF THE ENGINE. I REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT GASKET AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO LEAKAGE FROM THE THERMOSTAT OR THE RADIATOR HOSE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161913

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

Mileage

50,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE HEAT INDICATOR GAUGE DROPPED TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10155747

Incident

Mar 30, 2006

Mileage

75,000 mi

1998 LESABRE BURNED A HOLE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START. *TS ***NAR THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS LOCATED IN SUCH A POSITION THAT THE HOT EXHAUST GASES WERE VENTED TO CLOSELY TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA ID

10155152

Incident

Nov 28, 2005