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1998 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lesabre years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Buick Lesabre are substantially higher than the model-year median of 24.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

173 reports with mileage · 227 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 196 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports42 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

70 reports
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77,827 miles · Dec 21, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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-…

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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 ODI #10104268

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 …

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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 ODI #10103447

69,269 miles · Dec 3, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 CON…

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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 ODI #10106645

63,122 miles · Nov 22, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AFTER PROBLEM OCCURRED. CAR BACKFIRE, CAUSED INTAKE MANIFOLD TO CRACK CAUSING PROBLEMS. *BF RECALL NUMBER: 04V090000 *TC

NHTSA ODI #10103326

83,233 miles · Oct 28, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WRITER SUBMITTED REIMBURSEMENT INFORMATION TO GENERAL MOTORS (GM) OWNER OF A BUICK LESABRE VEHICLE. RECALLED DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *BF THE MANUFACTURER ONLY REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE TOTAL REPAIR EXPENSE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10097919

50,295 miles · Oct 24, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineSeat BeltsCrashInjury

NHTSA #: 04V090000 - I OWN A 1998 BUICK LESABRE 3.8L. ON 9/27/02 I HAD A HARD STARTING AND STALLING PROBLEM, TAKEN FOR SERVICE AT GM DEALER AND FUEL REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. IN AUGUST 2004 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO GM DEALER TO ASSURE THE RECALLED PART WAS NOT IN THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD US THE CAR DOE…

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NHTSA #: 04V090000 - I OWN A 1998 BUICK LESABRE 3.8L. ON 9/27/02 I HAD A HARD STARTING AND STALLING PROBLEM, TAKEN FOR SERVICE AT GM DEALER AND FUEL REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. IN AUGUST 2004 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO GM DEALER TO ASSURE THE RECALLED PART WAS NOT IN THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD US THE CAR DOES RUN A LITTLE ROUGH (NOTED ON WORK ORDER) BUT THE CORRECT REGULATOR WAS IN THE VEHICLE DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. ON OCTOBER 10,2004 WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR. ON OCTOBER 11 WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON OCTOBER 18, 2004 TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP. ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 2004 AND FRIDAY OCTOBER 15, 2004 THE CAR STALLED ONCE EACH DAY WHEN MOVING IN TRAFFIC AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 17, 2004 WHILE MY WIFE WAS FOLLOWING ME TO DROP THE CAR OFF AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE CAR AGAIN STALLED. SHE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR STARTED IT JUMPED FORWARD AND SHE STRUCK THE BACK OF MY TRUCK. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE FUEL REGULATOR TO BE LEAKING FUEL INTO THE VACUUM HOSE AND INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS WAS THE PART THAT ACCORDING TO THE GM DEALER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL ON AUGUST 11, 2004. THE END RESULT IS THERE IS $3000.00 DAMAGE TO THE LESABRE, NON TO BY TRUCK. MY BACK IS SLIGHTLY SORE BUT OF GREATER CONCERN IS THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ON THE BUICK AND MY WIFE STRUCK HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL HARD ENOUGH TO HAVE BRUISING IN THE OUTLINE OF PART OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON HER CHEST. IN SUMMARY IM CONCERNED ABOUT THE 1.) FUEL REGULATOR, 2.) THE CAR JUMPING AND 3.) THE SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096297

100,800 miles · Oct 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CORRECTION TO OID ID#10096015 WITH REPORT DATE 10/20/2004: THE MODEL YEAR INFO FOR BUICK VIN #[XXX] WAS INCORRECT. THE CORRECT MODEL YEAR IS 1998. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10096118

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL FOR FUEL REGULATOR AND INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEMS . *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL AND HAD ALREADY HAD THE REGULATOR AND INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE MANIFOLD, THEY…

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RECALL FOR FUEL REGULATOR AND INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEMS . *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL AND HAD ALREADY HAD THE REGULATOR AND INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE MANIFOLD, THEY STATED IT WAS NOT RUPTURED, BUT IT WAS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPALCED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT THE CONSUMER A CHECK FOR A 127.40, BUT THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HE WAS ENTILTED TO THE REMAINING PORTION OF 374.98. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10096863

48,000 miles · Oct 5, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR CAUSED DAMAGED . *BF OIL LEAKED DUE TO MANIFOLD WEAR. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE WARNING LIGHTS HAD COME ON. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL# 04V090000. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER AFTER SHE HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10095343

110,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V090000. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS, NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. BOB SAKS, 248-478-0500. *AK *SC

NHTSA ODI #10083831

Official recalls

1

04V090000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Feb 24, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA02030 · 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.