RoadVitals

2004 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.
13
Latest Nov 14, 2022
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.
8%
of 162 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.
0
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 2004 Buick Lesabre submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 2022

Car has hard shift's that get worse when the car is up to temperature. Fuel gauge show's false reading. Two window regulators failed.

NHTSA ID
11493411
Incident
Apr 12, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Nov 5, 2022

fuel vapor system leaks gas fumes into car. Replaced all fuel lines, pulled tank, renewed canister. 10 months later fumes are again entering car cabin. 105,000 total miles.

NHTSA ID
11492448
Incident
Nov 5, 2022
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 19, 2017

THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOP WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE AND NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. THE GAS GAUGE HAS STOP WORKING I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR I HAVE TO FILL THE TANK AND CHECK IT EVERY TWO WEEKS SO I WILL NOT RUN OUT OF GAS.

NHTSA ID
10967038
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
62,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Dec 21, 2016

J & K MITCHELL CASEY, IL.62420 PURCHASED ON 4/11/2014, 98,104 MILEAGE. HEADLAMPS GO OFF AT NITE DRIVING, VERY UNNERVING, FUEL GAGE, HAYWIRE FROM THE START, WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. SWAYING/SUSPENSION, WHEN TURNING, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, REPORTED THIS MANY TIMES AND TAKEN INTO DEALER..HOWEVER, NEVER TAKEN CARE OF. ONLY THING FIXED WAS SOLENOID. *TR

NHTSA ID
10936638
Incident
Apr 11, 2014
Mileage
98,139 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 14, 2016

FUEL GAGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN NEEDLE GETS BETWEEN HALF AND A QUARTER, IT BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH FROM EMPTY TO FULL. THEN AT A QUARTER FULL, IT GOES TO EMPTY AND STAYS THERE. YOU ARE NEVER SURE HOW MUCH GAS YOU REALLY HAVE AND CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP SUDDENLY.HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND STILL ON ALL ROADS.

NHTSA ID
10935306
Incident
Dec 14, 2016
Mileage
65,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED FROM EMPTY TO FULL, BUT NEVER FULLY DISPLAYED THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,718. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 10/29/15.*JB UPDATED 03/29/16.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD ALWAYS INDICATE IT WAS FULL. HOWEVER, THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. UPDATED 05/17/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10725611
Incident
Jun 10, 2015
Mileage
95,718 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed May 21, 2015

WHILE DRIVING HOME MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I GOT HOME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOW IN THE 6 POSITION ON A CLOCK. NOW I HAVE NO IDEA IF THERE IS ANY FUEL IN THE CAR OR NOT. LUCKILY I RESET THE TRIP METER WITH EVERY FUEL UP SO I KNOW I CAN GO APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES. ALTHOUGH IN THE WINTER WHEN WE HAVE TO IDLE OUR CAR SO THE FUEL MILEAGE GOES DOWN AND I DO NOT GET AS MANY MILES ON A TANK. HOPE I DON'T RUN OUT OF FUEL DURING THE WINTER. IN READING ONLINE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE IT TURNS OUT IT CAN GET WORSE AND CAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER TO STOP WORKING. THEN I MAY BE SPEEDING AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. I DID TRY AND HAVE IT FIXED BUT THE GUY CHARGED ME $207 AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. AT THE LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FOR $350.

NHTSA ID
10717774
Incident
May 21, 2015
Mileage
75,146 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 11, 2015

I'VE OWNED 5 BUICK LESABRES, AND CONTINUE TO RUN TWO OF THEM (2002 LESABRE WITH ABOUT 180,000 MILES, AND 2004 LESABRE WITH OVER 80,000 MILES VIN: [XXX] FOR THE 2004, AND [XXX] FOR THE 2002). BOTH CURRENTLY OWNED LESABRES HAVE FUEL GAUGE PROBLEMS. MY 2002 SHOWED ERRATIC INACCURATE READINGS, BUT NOW IS FLATLINED AT EMPTY, EVEN IF THE TANK HAS JUST BEEN FILLED. MY 2004 IS SHOWING THE OPPOSITE REACTION, SHOWING FULL, EVEN AFTER A FULL TRIP SHOULD BE SENDING IT TOWARD AN EMPTY READING. SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENED ON A PREVIOUS LESABRE I OWNED, AND COST ME A NEW FUEL PUMP & GAUGE RUNNING NEARLY $500. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON OCCURRENCE IF I'VE HAD IT OCCUR ON 3 OF FIVE LESABRES I'VE OWNED. IT'S ALSO A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET. JUST RECENTLY ON THE 2002, I RAN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC DUE TO GAS GAUGE INACCURACY. FORTUNATELY IT WAS A LOW SPEED REGION. HOWEVER, HAD I RUN OUT OF GAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC SURROUNDED BY 18 WHEELERS, THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO TRAUMATIC INJURY OR DEATH. 1 FAILURE ... I COULD TOLERATE, AND WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT WITHOUT COMPLAINT ..... BUT 3 OUT OF 5 LESABRES !!!???? THAT'S A DESIGN DEFECT OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM SEEKING A RECALL ON BUICK LESABRE GAS GAUGE UNITS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10715666
Incident
May 6, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Apr 26, 2015

FIRST FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT WORK COST $400.00 TO REPLACE SYSTEM NOW MY MILEAGE WORKS WHEN IT WANTS CAN/T ALWAYS TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712915
Incident
Nov 10, 2014
Mileage
51,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LASABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER FTHE CORRECT AMOOUNTS OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ID
10578206
Incident
Oct 15, 2012
Mileage
49,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 17, 2011

I BOUGHT THIS CAR MAY 2010 FROM GREGORY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IN NEW CASTLE DE. I IMMEDIATELY HAD A PROPBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WASNT A BIG DEAL, THIS PROBLEM WAS COVERED BY BY WARRANTY AND I WOULD JUST NEED TO PAY A $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY I BOUGHT FROM THE DEALER AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS. MY NEXT ISSUE IS THE GAS GAUGE STARTED TO MESS UP; WRONG READINGS AND GAS LEVELS LEFT ME OUT OF GAS AND VERY UPSET. I WILL BE TAKING THIS BACK TO BUICK TO SEE IF I AM AT ALL ELIGIBLE TO RECIEVE RECALL BENEFITS OR SOMETHING BECAUSE THE AMOUNT TO FIX THESE ISSUES ARE GREATER THAN I CAN AFFORD WITHIN THE YEAR AND SOME CHANGE OF OWNING THE VEH. AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY I DID RESEARCH AND DO A CARFAX ON THE CAR AND IT CAME BACK WITH ACCURATE MILEAGE, ONE OWNER AND NO ACCIDENTS AND I JUMPED ON IT, ONLY TO HAVE A NICE CAR WITHOUT A WORKING SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE. I THOUGHT BUICKS WERE GOOD SOLID CARS...... *TT

NHTSA ID
10425863
Incident
May 12, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 15, 2009

SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AT 32,000. SPEEDOMETER WORKS SOMETIMES. GAS GAUGE REGISTERS PASSED FULL , AND IN THE 7 O'CLOCK POSITION. I NEED TO KEEP TRACK OF MY MILEAGE PER TANK FULL AT - TO NOT GO BEYOND 300 MILE RANGE BEFORE I NEED TO FILL UP THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10265513
Incident
Feb 1, 2009
Mileage
32,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2008

I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK FILLER NECK AS IT CRACKED. MY CAR HAD 45,000 SOME MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. ($473) BUICK SAID IT WAS THE RESULT OF FREEZING/ THAWING TEMPERATURES IN WINTER. THEN MY ASHTRAY DOOR BROKE - IT WON'T STAY CLOSED ON IT'S OWN. BUICK WANTED $300 - 400 TO FIX THAT. I'M USING VELCRO. THEN MY ODOMETER NEEDLE STOPPED WORKING AND JUST HANGS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE EVERY LIGHT BULB IN THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH HEATING/AIR PANEL AREA HAVE GONE OUT. I HAVE LESS THAN 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR NOW AND ALL THIS HAPPENED BEFORE IT HIT 50,000 MILES. THIS IS A $35,000 CAR RETAIL -COME ON BUICK - LETS DO BETTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220895
Incident
Mar 12, 2008
Mileage
50,000 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .