1998 Buick Lesabre Fuel system 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

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

NHTSA ID

10523570

Incident

Jul 3, 2013

Mileage

163,885 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10399971

Incident

Mar 16, 2011

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION THAT OCCURRED WITHIN THE ENGINE. WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO FLOW FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MANIFOLD HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A FUEL LEAK WAS PRESENT WITHIN THE ENGINE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID

10378580

Incident

Jan 22, 2011

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED YET THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A ROW OF HEDGES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. IN JUNE 2010, THE CONTACT NOTICED ABNORMAL FRONT END NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE BUSHINGS UNDER THE CRADLE WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN BOTH AREAS. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10355528

Incident

May 18, 2010

Mileage

119,000 mi

I AM CURRENTLY THE OWNER OF A 1998 BUICK LESABRE WITH APPROXIMATELY 24,600 MILES. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CAR BACKFIRED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS CHUGGING AND THE EXHAUST SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE AND BURNING PLASTIC. AT THE SERVICE SHOP WHERE I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS GOOD I BROUGHT THE CAR IN SO SOON BECAUSE THIS SORT OF PROBLEM IF NOT FIXED COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A POSSIBLE FIRE. I CONTACTED BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE IN REGARDS TO THE PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS AND THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR IN MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF ANY BUICK RECALLS. WHEN ASKED IF I COULD RECEIVE SOME DOCUMENTATION THAT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF ANY RECALLS, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH THAT PAPERWORK AND THAT ANYONE ELSE COULD TALK TO WITH BUICK WOULD TELL ME THE SAME THING IN REGARDS TO MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315194

Incident

Feb 25, 2010

Mileage

24,581 mi

THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE RUSTED GET IN TO THE PLASTIC FITING AND GASOLINE WAS LEAKING AT THE GAS TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10266017

Incident

Jul 15, 2008

Mileage

50,000 mi

MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE BACKFIRED, THEN STARTED ON FIRE, AFTER THE TOP OF THE MOTOR{INTAKE AND FUEL INJECTORS ETC.} WERE BLOWN OFF DURING THE EXPLOSION. THE WHOLE TOP OF THE MOTOR WAS DESTROYED. NOTIFIED GM, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP BECAUSE OF A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10249176

Incident

Nov 1, 2008

Mileage

92,000 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

LEAKING FUEL SENDER AND CORRODED BRAKE LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10206457

Incident

Oct 17, 2007

LTR FWD FM CPSC COMPLAINT RE HIS 1998 BUICK LESABRE, HE TOOK CAR IN FOR A RECALL, AND NOW THE CAR IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN BEFORE GM "REPAIRED" IT.*MR AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALL REPAIRS WERE MADE IT LEAKED FUEL VAPORS AND STALLED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10135658

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

DT: THE CONTACT TOOK H CAR TO DEALER FOR A RECALL 04V090000 REPAIRS ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO IN AUGUST, 2004. HE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN JUNE, 2004, AND THE CAR WAS REPAIRED ON 9-28-04. THEY DAMAGED THE CAR ON THE OUTSIDE AND ALSO UNDER THE HOOD. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS BROKEN AND THERE WAS A SCRATCH UNDER THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT. THEY PUT RED TAPE OVER THE HEADLIGHT. THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND THE CAR STALLED. THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED THE RECALL REPAIRS WITHIN ONE DAY. THE DEALER DENIED ANYTHING WRONG WAS DONE. THE RECALL WAS IN REGARD TO A FUEL REGULATOR. AS SOON AS THE CAR RETURNED TO THE CONTACT IT SHUT OFF. RECENTLY, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, AND THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL/EXHAUST ODOR THAT WAS VERY STRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON N. . HE TALKED TO GM ON 11-12-04, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY HAD NOTIFIED THE DEALER ABOUT THE DAMAGE, AND FOR HIM TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. WHEN HE TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER THE DEALER WAS MAD AND REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID

10134464

Incident

Sep 28, 2004

Mileage

111,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT FUEL SUPPLY LINE RUSTED AND GASOLINE WAS LEAKING . THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS, BUT SHE PUT DOWN A PIECE OF CARDBOARD UNDER THE CAR AND SHE PICKED IT UP AND SMELLED IT. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE FUEL SERVER AND THAT THE WIRES WERE RUSTED. THE PART TO FIX THE VEHICLE WAS THE FUEL SERVER LOCATED INSIDE THE GASOLINE TANK.*AK

NHTSA ID

10129506

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS IN VEHICLE FOR QUITE SOME TIME BUT ALWAYS DISREGARDED AS ANOTHER PASSING VEHICLE OR SOMETHING ELSE. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS GASOLINE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ALONG THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND MUFFLER. THE CONSUMER DROVE HOME AND CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN, THERE WAS NO LEAK AT FIRST. LATER, WITHIN 20 MINUTES, 2 PUDDLES FORMED FROM THE GAS LEAK. TOOK NAPKIN AND WIPED, UNDERNEATH NEAR FUEL LINES BUT DID NOT FIND ANY MOISTURE. WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE AS TO WHERE THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM. CALLED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WHO SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET IT IN THE SHOP RIGHT AWAY, BUT DID SAY IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH LEAK. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO CHECKED VEHICLE, AND REPLACED A FUEL SENDING UNIT, FUEL TANK, AND FUEL LINE. NO LEAKS SINCE THE REPAIRS. THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE GAS LINES RUSTED AND CAUSED THE LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ID

10127147

Incident

Jun 14, 2005

Mileage

50,324 mi

ON SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2005 I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE REAR-RIGHT SIDE OF MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE. ON MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2005 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE VYLETEL BUICK DEALER IN STERLING HEIGHTS. THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND INFORMED ME THAT THE LEAK(S) WERE COMING FROM CRACKS IN THE FLEXIBLE FUEL LINES AND THESE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY EXPLANATION FOR WHAT CAUSED THE CRACKS IN THESE LINES. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE SENDING UNIT IN THE TANK WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT'S HARD LINES WERE EXCESSIVELY RUSTED AND CORRODED AND THE NEW FLEXIBLE LINES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SECURED. THEY ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THIS IS ALL BEING DONE, THE FUEL PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD, AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY 75, 600 MILES UNDER "NORMAL" CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS - NO INCIDENTS OF ANY DAMAGE ANYWHERE ON THE CAR -INCLUDING THE UNDERCARRIAGE. SO, IT IS COMPLETLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR THIS CAR TO HAVE CRACKED FUEL LINES - AND ALL OF THE OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE! THE FUEL LEAK WAS EXCESSIVE AND HAD I NOT NOTICED IT, THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF A FIRE/EXPLOSION OCCURING. I SPOKE WITH A BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THIS AND HE SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE CAR AT THEIR COST SINCE THE CAR WAS BEYOND WARRANTLY AND THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. I RELUCTANTLY AUTHORIZED TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE SO THAT I COULD HAVE MY CAR BACK. THE TOTAL COST TO ME WAS $892.34. SINCE THE SAME TYPE OF PARTS (FLEXIBLE FULE LINES, SENDING UNIT, FUEL PUMP) HAVE BEEN USED, I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

10126485

Incident

Jun 19, 2005

Mileage

75,683 mi

1998 BUICK LESABRE BECAME INOPERATIVE AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE.*MR A SMALL FIRE EMITTED FORM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FOR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER REPLACED THINKING IT WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. RECALL 04V090000 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10124712

Incident

Jun 1, 2005

NO INJURIES. ENGINE STOPS OR STALLS AT VARIOUS TIMES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10124494

Incident

May 1, 2002

Mileage

85,000 mi

1998 BUICK LESABRE HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED. THE CONSUMER'S CLAIM FOR A REFUND FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT APPROVED. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD TURNED LEFT ONTO A LOOP AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISS AND MAKE NOISES. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND VIEWED A LOT OF WATER UNDER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPARK PLUGS THAT WERE DAMAGED WHEN THE WATER FLOODED INTO THE BLOCK AND OR THE RUPTURED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN#04V090000. THE HORN WOULD GO OFF WHEN THE HORN PAD WAS BUMPED OR WHEN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BECAME' HOT. *SC THE MANUFACTURER WROTE THE CONSUMER A LETTER WHICH STATED THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10120408

Incident

Apr 1, 2005

1998 BUICK LESABRE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR PART THAT WAS INSTALLED DURING A RECALL. *MR RECALL CAMPAIGN# 04V090000. *SC THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIRS MADE AT A DEALERSHIP. *JB

NHTSA ID

10120367

Incident

Apr 12, 2005

CAR HAD BEEN HARD TO START FOR A WHILE. ON DAY OF INCIDENT, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, A BACKFIRE OCCURRED AND SMOKE ROLLED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN MINUTES, A FIRE STARTED, COMPLETELY DESTROYING THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10114172

Incident

Mar 14, 2005

LOSS OF COOLANT. THE PLASTIC INTAKE PLENUM GOT A HOLE IN IT. THIS FILLED THE ENGINE WITH COOLANT THUS CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE DEFECTIVE PART REPLACED AT A COST OF 900 DOLLARS. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I'M RETIRED, SO THIS PUT A STRAIN ON OUR BUDGET. THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA ID

10110707

Incident

Feb 7, 2005

Mileage

86,500 mi

THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED AND RUINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. AT LOW MILEAGE THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. *BF RECALL#04V090000 *JB

NHTSA ID

10109328

Incident

Dec 1, 2004

VEHICLE RETURNED FOR INSPECTION WITH REGARD TO 04V090 12/13/04 COMPLAINTS POOR PERFORMANCE, FUEL ECONOMY, HARD STARTING, AND USE OF DEXCOOL ANTI-FREEZE SINCE RECALL PERFORMED. DECOOL ANTI-FREEZE ENTERING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF ENGINE, AND ENGINE OILING SYSTEM FROM FAILURE OR RUPTURE OF UPPER INTAKE PLENUM NEAR EGR PASSAGE. ANTI-FREEZE HAS FILLED ENGINE LIFTERS CAUSING NOISE/FAILURE, FILLING COMBUSTION CHAMBER CAUSING HYDRO-LOCKING OF ENGINE, COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ENGINE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE FIRE OR ACCIDENT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER 04V090 MANIFOLD OVER PRESSURE CONDITION STATED REPLACEMENT OF UPPER & LOWER INTAKE, LIFTER, PLUGS, OIL, ANTI-FREEZE AT A COST OF $1,150 ON VEHICLE THAT HAD 77,827 WHEN THE RECALL WAS DONE, AND NOW HAS 80,407 MI. WHICH IS LESS THEN 3,000. THIS COULD VERY WELL HAVE HYDRO-LOCKED THE ENGINE AT FREEWAY SPEED,OR CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE, INJURY, AND POSSIBLE FIRE FROM ENGINE OIL & FUEL HITTING THE HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER!*AK

NHTSA ID

10104268

Incident

Dec 13, 2004

Mileage

77,827 mi

AFTER THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL 04V090000 WAS PERFORMED THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ANTIFREEZE AND OIL. THE PART #8901 7530 REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE NOISE SOUNDED AS IF THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO EXPLODED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10103447

Incident

Aug 14, 2004

REPLACED UPPER INTAKE PLENUM SEALS AND GASKETS, ENGINE OIL AND FILTER, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRE SET. INSTALLED FUEL FILTER, STARTER WOULD NOT TURN OFF (STUCK ON), REPLACED IT. *BF THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A RUPTURED INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT CAUSED WATER TO FLOOD THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL# 04V090000. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10106645

Incident

Mar 24, 2004

Mileage

69,269 mi