NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
13 reportsClear category filter114,000 miles · Mar 16, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND MADE A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD AAA TOW IT TO THE DEALER. SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008 AND NOW SHE NEEDS NEW BRAKES. WITHIN TWO H…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND MADE A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD AAA TOW IT TO THE DEALER. SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008 AND NOW SHE NEEDS NEW BRAKES. WITHIN TWO HOURS, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $400. SHE WAS VERY SKEPTICAL OF THE REPAIRS AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CLOGGED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. 4/01/09 *NJ UPDATED 04/09/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10262031
60,000 miles · Feb 23, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. ONE YEAR AGO, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND ON THE VEHICLE WHILE LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND STRUCK ANOTHER ONE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION. THE C…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. ONE YEAR AGO, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND ON THE VEHICLE WHILE LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND STRUCK ANOTHER ONE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE LINES AND INSTALLED NEW ONES. RECENTLY, THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION AGAIN. THE DRIVER STRUCK THE CURB AT 10 MPH IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT MADE THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. HE HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10259696
70,000 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP DUE TO A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. INSPECTION REVEALED STEEL BRAKE TUBES SEVERELY RUSTED ONLY IN THE AREA OF THE LEAK. LEAK LOCATION IS DIRECTLY BELOW ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT IN THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALL FOUR OUTPUT LINES FROM THE ABS SYSTEM TO THE WHEEL WERE AFFECTED. THE BALANCE OF THE …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP DUE TO A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. INSPECTION REVEALED STEEL BRAKE TUBES SEVERELY RUSTED ONLY IN THE AREA OF THE LEAK. LEAK LOCATION IS DIRECTLY BELOW ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT IN THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALL FOUR OUTPUT LINES FROM THE ABS SYSTEM TO THE WHEEL WERE AFFECTED. THE BALANCE OF THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE EXHIBIT A NORMAL LEVEL OF CORROSION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141990
103,920 miles · Mar 2, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
MY 1996 BUICK LESABRE ABS WARNING LIGHT DID NOT LET ME KNOW THAT THE ABS WERE NOT WORKING, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060212
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2001
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES BUT HIT OTHER VEHICLE ON RIGHT FRONT. UPON IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS JAMMED IN SEAT, AND UNABLE TO GET OUT. VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AN POWDER SUBSTANCE WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S EYES AND THROAT TO BE IRRITATED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #894949
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LINE RUBBING AGAINST TRANSFER CASE, CAUSING A HOLE IN STEEL LINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742387
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER.*AK ABRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS UNIT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. ALL SIX STEEL BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO FOUND CORRODED. *YH
NHTSA ODI #870748
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT BRAKES WARPED CAUSING FRONT BRAKES TO PULSATE WHEN APPLIED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #553962
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS CONTROLLER TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LEAKING BECAUSE A HOLE THAT WAS RUBBED THROUGH THE LINE AT THE TRANSMISSION SIDE COVER. ALSO ABS LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. OWNER DISCOVERED THE LEAK WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853546
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REPORTING FAULTY BRAKE ROTORS; DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ROTORS COULD NOT BE TURNED BECAUSE OF SCALING AND PITTING / ROTORS NEVER BEEN TURNED BEFORE, AND ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851300
NHTSA investigations
2EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
Illustration