NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
400 reports66,506 miles · Dec 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE BELT TENSIONER IS MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH BROKE DISABLING THE CAR WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED. OIL LEAK CAME FROM LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, GATHERED AROUND BOTTOM AT OIL PAN, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ALSO MADE OF PLASTIC LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO ENGINE. TENSIONER WAS REPLACED WITH SAME PLASTIC BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN RE-DESI…
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THE BELT TENSIONER IS MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH BROKE DISABLING THE CAR WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED. OIL LEAK CAME FROM LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, GATHERED AROUND BOTTOM AT OIL PAN, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ALSO MADE OF PLASTIC LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO ENGINE. TENSIONER WAS REPLACED WITH SAME PLASTIC BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN RE-DESIGNED,SAME WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, THEREFORE, IT WILL GIVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252296
92,000 miles · Nov 18, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineFireInjury
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 ODI #10249176
65,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILS TO START. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, G…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILS TO START. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10241881
26,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
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 MEC…
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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 ODI #10229865
83,000 miles · Jun 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAD ANTI-FREEZE IN THE OIL. PLASTIC INTAKE GASKET WAS BROKEN. I UNDERSTAND THIS OCCURS IN MANY 3.8 ENGINES. HAD TO HAVE NEW GASKET INSTALLED AT A COST OF ABOUT $700 DOLLARS. THE CAR IS A 1998 BUICK LASABRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229668
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
1998 BUICK LESABRE WITH CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO INTENTION OF SENDING OUT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM OR REIMBURSING THE CUSTOMERS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH CAUSED ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10217171
79,917 miles · Jan 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT NOR DID ANY OTHER LIGHT COME ON. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AS SMOOTH AS IT ALWAYS HAS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE ENGINE COOL. I SAW THE WATER WAS LOW SO I WENT INSIDE AND GOT WATER TO PUT IN IT. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHITE S…
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THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT NOR DID ANY OTHER LIGHT COME ON. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AS SMOOTH AS IT ALWAYS HAS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE ENGINE COOL. I SAW THE WATER WAS LOW SO I WENT INSIDE AND GOT WATER TO PUT IN IT. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE EXHAUST. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG BEFORE THEY CHECKED THE CAR BECAUSE THEY HAD HAD OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER REPLACING THE MANIFOLD, GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS, DEXCOOL, PIPE ASM, SEALS, THERMOSTAT, STARTER, OIL FILTER, OIL, THE CAR RAN AGAIN. OF COURSE, I WAS OUT $1049.27. THAT WAS 12 DAYS AGO. TONIGHT THE CAR BEGAN CLATTERING AND TOMORROW THE CAR WILL GO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR MORE REPAIR. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE LIFTERS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED BEFORE ALL THE TROUBLE BEGAN. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216314
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE LTD, 73,943 MI,STARTED TO REQUIRE WATER TO BE ADDED TO THE OVERFLOW TANK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A GM GARAGE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER ENGINE AND OIL. THIS REPAIR COST$1200. TO CORRECT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THIS IS …
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MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE LTD, 73,943 MI,STARTED TO REQUIRE WATER TO BE ADDED TO THE OVERFLOW TANK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A GM GARAGE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER ENGINE AND OIL. THIS REPAIR COST$1200. TO CORRECT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND GM HAS TURNED IT'S HEAD TO THE ISSUE. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211576
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
LEAKING FUEL SENDER AND CORRODED BRAKE LINES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206457
82,000 miles · Jul 25, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED OUT OF CONTROL AND STALLED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10197489
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.
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