RoadVitals

2000 Buick Lesabre Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
59
Latest Dec 20, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 668 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Buick Lesabre submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 59 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 59, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Dec 20, 2025
Fire reported

the 2000 Buick Lesabre is a wonderful car basically a tank with the 3800 SERIES II you cant go wrong but the tiny little plastic part holding the throttle cable will dryrot even with a garage kept car under 150k miles please get them replaced I was driving and then the part came off and it got wrapped around the bracket and it took off I melted the breaks I wasn't stopping due to constant gas so I flipped in down into neutral to stop the vehicle from accelerating after i found a spot to pull it off the road but you can also put your foot under the peddle and pull up on it while pressing the breaks if you cant find a safe area while this is happening but i didnt relise it was happning until i hit 65 because the road i was on was a 55 and before i knew it i was going 90 luciky i live out in the rural areas

NHTSA ID
11706263
Incident
Sep 28, 2025
Fuel system
Filed May 2, 2022
Fire reported

I started my car in the morning, per my usual routine. After a few seconds, I heard a very loud bang and the car stalled. A few seconds later, there was a large amount of smoke coming from under the hood. I opened the hood to see a large fire had started. My son, who heard the loud bang, came outside and saw the flames from under the hood. He ran into the house, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and attempted to put out the fire. He got the fire out but it was difficult. I had the car looked at by a mechanic and told me that the intake manifold had literally exploded. He has stated that he has never seen anything like this. It appears that the exploding manifold ruptured a fuel line. He told me there was a recall on this vehicle relating to a rupturing manifold and leaking fuel but that my vehicle had already had the recall performed. He thought that the new parts may be defective which is why I am reporting this incident.

NHTSA ID
11463054
Incident
Apr 27, 2022
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Nov 9, 2021

The contact owns a 2000 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the tie rod nuts had failed and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V301000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under the recall because the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V090000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

NHTSA ID
11439919
Incident
Nov 5, 2021
Mileage
139,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 26, 2020

GAS LINES ARE RUSTY AND LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ABOUT TO LEAK GAS AND ALSO I GOT STUCK ON HIGHWAY BECAUSE GAS GAUGE DID NOT WORK BECAUSE GROUND WIRE TO SENDER WAS BROKEN

NHTSA ID
11376474
Incident
Nov 5, 2020
Mileage
59,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 26, 2020

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 ID
11376472
Incident
Nov 5, 2020
Mileage
59,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 28, 2020

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 ID
11331285
Incident
Apr 29, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 2, 2020

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
11292548
Incident
Dec 31, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 16, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSIS. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH FUEL GAUGE. CAR WAS FIXED REPLACED THE ENGINE HARNESS CONNECTOR. UPDATED 11/20/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11111519
Incident
May 23, 2018
Mileage
98,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2016

THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES PROPERLY UNTIL IT REACHES THE HALFWAY MARK. IT THEN FLUCTUATES AND IS NOT RELIABLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL IN TRAFFIC, IN-CLIMATE CONDITIONS OR IN ISOLATED AREAS WITHOUT INDICATION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SEEMS TO BE PREVALENT ON THESE VEHICLES AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!

NHTSA ID
10929783
Incident
Nov 28, 2016
Mileage
94,878 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Aug 26, 2014

WHILE I AM DRIVING SPEED OF 40/50/ CAR CUTS OF . THEN IS STALLS TRYING TO START BACK UP. SOME TIME RITE AWAY IT DOES .SOME TIMES IS TAKES AS LONG AS 15 MINS TO 20 MINS TO START BACK UP .ALSO WHEN I STOP BRAKES JERK AS IF MANIFOLD IS MESSING UP .AND THE WINDOWS WONT ROLL UP SOME TIMES. SO PLEASE HELP IS THERE IN DEFECTS OR RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE BUICK 2000 LESABRE?????????? *TR

NHTSA ID
10628606
Incident
Jul 22, 2014
Mileage
12,356 mi
BrakesFuel systemSuspension
Filed Aug 12, 2014

FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE DUE TO BROKEN SWAY BAR LINKS RUSTED FRONT RIGHT AND FRONT LEFT. FRONT BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINE BADLY RUSTED BUT NOT LEAKING YET. IF FRONT FUEL LINE LEAKS IT WILL LEAK ONTO ENGINE REAR TO CAUSE FIRE. IF FRONT BRAKE LINE LEAKS I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP CAR. I HAD REPORTED TO NHTSA WHEN MY REAR BRAKE LINES LEAKED PREVENTING ME FROM STOPPING IN 2011 BUT LUCKILY I WAS GOING VERY SLOW. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED PREVENTING ME FROM OPENING WINDOW,NEEDING REPLACEMENT IN MAY 2014. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621903
Incident
Aug 12, 2014
Mileage
44,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Mar 6, 2014

ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, SO FAR, ONLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. SOMETIMES, BY PUTTING IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING KEY, ENGINE STARTS AGAIN. OTHER TIMES, IT HAS TO SET FOR A WHILE. PUT NEW BATTERY IN 11/7/2013. PROBLEM PERSISTED. THREE AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING A BUICK DEALERSHIP, HAVE CHECKED IT OUT, BUT IT DOES NOT DIE ON THEM IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME ITS IN THEIR POSSESSION SO I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. TYPICALLY, IT HAPPENS AFTER IT IS DRIVEN AT LEAST 20 MILES. CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR-ENDED AS I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD ENOUGH TO BE OUT OF THE WAY ON A ROAD WITH HILLS AND BLIND SPOTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567722
Incident
Nov 4, 2013
Mileage
74,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 22, 2013

THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. IT WILL BOUNCE FROM 1/4 A TANK TO 1/2 A TANK TO FULL. IT IS ALWAYS ALL OVER THE PLACE. THIS IS A SIGN OF A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT (ITS A SENSOR). THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS, SO I KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE CAR, I CAN'T KEEP DUMPING $10/$20 A WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10526252
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Apr 22, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AS THE FUEL LINES BEING DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ UPDATED 06/21/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10509106
Incident
Sep 1, 2012
Mileage
152,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 15, 2011

GAS GAUGE SWINGING ERRATICALLY BACK AND FORTH. NOT SURE HOW MUCH GASOLINE I HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10400932
Incident
Mar 10, 2011
Mileage
97,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 12, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE AN INACCURATE INDICATION OF HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY AND WOULD SHOW THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY WHEN IT WAS NOT AND IT WOULD DISPLAY FULL WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,000.

NHTSA ID
10400582
Incident
Mar 15, 2002
Mileage
16,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE HAD BEGUN FLUCTUATING BETWEEN FUEL LEVEL READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO DETECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS GAUGE WAS GIVING FALSE READINGS. UPDATED 06/21/11

NHTSA ID
10398643
Incident
Jan 11, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 1, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, FLAMES ERUPTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FLAMES. A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V09000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10386034
Incident
Feb 13, 2011
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" AND "EXHAUST EMISSION" WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE EMISSION TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE EXHAUST EMISSION INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR THE SECOND TIME BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 10,000.

NHTSA ID
10344684
Incident
Nov 16, 2009
Mileage
10,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 17, 2010

GAS GAUGE DOSE NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10330797
Incident
Apr 15, 2000
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 1, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT HAS OWNED A 2000 BUICK LESABRE SINCE FEBRUARY 23, 2010. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A CALL AND THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE HAD A FUEL PRESSURE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE DEALER LATER TOLD HIM THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN 2004 AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 215,000.

NHTSA ID
10315269
Incident
Feb 23, 2010
Mileage
215,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 22, 2008

VEHICLE HAD BEEN DECREASING IN MILES PER GALLON STEADILY, REASON FOR TAKING IT TO THE SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT THE UPPER INTAKE COVER WAS CRACKED AT SOME POINT IN TIME. THIS COULD HAVE CEASED THE ENGINE DUE TO ANTIFREEZE SEEPING INTO THE CRACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235369
Incident
Apr 25, 2008
Mileage
68,024 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 17, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. BOTH A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000. THE CONSUMER SENT IN A COPY OF A RECALL. RECALL # 04V090000 UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10221454
Incident
Mar 6, 2008
Mileage
92,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemTransmission
Filed Sep 10, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND MADE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED. HE SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK AND THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND WHEN PRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,145.

NHTSA ID
10202401
Incident
Aug 27, 2007
Mileage
85,600 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 23, 2007

MARCH 30TH, 2007 CAR RAN ROUGH AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. A BAD ODOR ALSO WAS PERMEATING INTO THE CAR WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. CAR WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON THE 31ST AND THEY HAD THE CAR UNTIL THE 3RD OF APRIL. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT TWO MILES AND THE CAR DID EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS DOING BEFORE WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF. I DROPPED THE CAR BACK OFF THE NEXT DAY ON THE 4TH THEY HAD IT UNTIL SATURDAY THE 7TH. THEY SAID THEY CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THAT WAS WHAT WAS WRONG. I DROVE THE CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL FRIDAY THE 13TH. I WENT TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT WOULDN'T START RIGHT AWAY. WHEN IT DID IT STUNK SO BAD FROM TO MUCH GAS FROM TRYING TO START IT. I RAN IT THAT DAY AND IT RAN ROUGH A FEW TIMES AND DIDN'T CALL THE DEALER. I LOANED MY CAR TO MY BROTHER FRIDAY NIGHT AND I DIDN'T TELL HIM ABOUT THE STARTING PROBLEM OR THE RUNNING ROUGHLY. HE WENT TO START THE CAR AFTER WORK ON SATURDAY MORNING AND IT WOULDN'T START RIGHT AWAY FOR HIM. HE GOT IT GOING AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT RAN ROUGH AND BUCKED AND JERKED. WHEN HE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO ME IT SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS. MY WIFE WENT TO START IT AND PUT IT INTO THE GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT AND SHE COULD NOT GET IT TO START SHE HAD TO COME AND GET ME TO GET IT GOING. I CALLED THE DEALER ON MONDAY THE 16TH AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT DAY. I DID SO AND THEY SENT IT TO A GARAGE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. ABOUT 2:00 ON WEDNESDAY THE 18TH I STOPPED TO SEE IF IT WAS FIXED AND THEY SAID IT WAS THAT IT WAS THE SPARK PLUGS AGAIN THE GARAGE DIDN'T PUT PREMIUM PLUGS IN. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WASHED MY CAR FOR MY INCONVENIENCES. ALSO THE FUEL MILEAGE ON THE CAR WAS 20 MPG WHICH IS EXTREMELY LOW IT SHOULD GET 30-32 MPG. I TOLD THEM THIS ALSO. SO I GOT THE CAR BACK AND TODAY THE 19TH OF APRIL THE CAR IS HAVING PROBLEMS RUNNING PROPERLY. I RETURNED THE CAR AND THEY WONT CALL ME AT ALL. I FEARED MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY IN THIS CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10188672
Incident
Mar 30, 2007
Mileage
64,800 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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