← New search

1999 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lesabre years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Buick Lesabre are substantially higher than the model-year median of 24.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

80 reports with mileage · 129 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 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports20 fire reports15 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

21 reports
Clear category filter
88,000 miles · Jul 5, 2006
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineFire

THE CAR WOULD OCCASIONALLY SMELL LIKE GAS DURING ACCELERATION. IT ALSO SKIPPED FREQUENTLY WHEN GOING UP HILL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE CAR STALLED. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ERUPTED IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS ONLY AFTER THE FIRE THAT WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A …

Read full complaint

THE CAR WOULD OCCASIONALLY SMELL LIKE GAS DURING ACCELERATION. IT ALSO SKIPPED FREQUENTLY WHEN GOING UP HILL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE CAR STALLED. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ERUPTED IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS ONLY AFTER THE FIRE THAT WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SYSTEM RECALL IN SEPT. 2004. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A GM DEALER IN OCT. 2004 AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE NOR WAS I MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS SUCH A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161522

97,000 miles · Aug 8, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: CONTACT STATED FROM A DEAD STOP AND TURNING LEFT THE VEHICLE DID NOT GET ENOUGH FUEL TO MAKE A HARD LEFT TURN. IT JUST BARELY MOVED ALONG, COULD NOT GET IT TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY CLOSE TO A YEAR. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE DEALER TOLD CONTACT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING VEHICLE …

Read full complaint

DT: CONTACT STATED FROM A DEAD STOP AND TURNING LEFT THE VEHICLE DID NOT GET ENOUGH FUEL TO MAKE A HARD LEFT TURN. IT JUST BARELY MOVED ALONG, COULD NOT GET IT TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY CLOSE TO A YEAR. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE DEALER TOLD CONTACT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING VEHICLE IN ,AND THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10131933

76,939 miles · Jun 24, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

A VERY BAD GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING THE CAR. THE SHOP DISCOVERED TWO (2) LEAKS IN THE GAS LINE. THE METER, PUMP AND LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW IF THE SHOP STILL HAS THE PARTS AND I CERTAINLY DID NOT WANT THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10126536

47,000 miles · Apr 25, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineInjury

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR A NEW STARTER ASSEMBLY. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THE MECHANIC SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK WHEN THE NEW STARTED WAS BEING TESTED THE MANIFOLD B…

Read full complaint

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR A NEW STARTER ASSEMBLY. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THE MECHANIC SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK WHEN THE NEW STARTED WAS BEING TESTED THE MANIFOLD BLEW UP. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10115276

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

COMPLAINT SENT VIA E-MAIL. "I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL BUICK DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE . MY CAR RAN PERFECT BEFORE THEY DID THE RECALL WORK AND AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE MY CAR SKIPPED AND JUMPED BETWEEN 32 MPH AND 38 MPH. I TOOK MY CAR BACK AND THEY KEPT IT UNTIL OCT,. 11. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP I HAD TO PAY $2…

Read full complaint

COMPLAINT SENT VIA E-MAIL. "I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL BUICK DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE . MY CAR RAN PERFECT BEFORE THEY DID THE RECALL WORK AND AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE MY CAR SKIPPED AND JUMPED BETWEEN 32 MPH AND 38 MPH. I TOOK MY CAR BACK AND THEY KEPT IT UNTIL OCT,. 11. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP I HAD TO PAY $282.00 TO GET MY CAR BACK. I HAD TO PAY THE $282.00 FOR THE MISTAKES THE DEALER MADE DURING THE RECALL WORK. GENERAL MOTORS HAS BEEN NO HELP. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ME." FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL 04V090000. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10096798

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE BLEW WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS SLOWING FOR A STOP LIGHT. *NM THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A HARD START AND WAS MISSING. THE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. THE INTAKE PLENTUM LEAKED WATER INTO THE CYLINDERS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10095139

76,664 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION. *NM THE RECEIVED A DENIAL LETTER WHICH STATED THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092603

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NM THE CONSUEMR BELIEVES THAT A FUEL PRESSURE RECALL, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN INITIATED, WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER HE WAS TOLD THAT HIS VHEICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THREE WEEKS AFTER SETTLING MATTER WITH THE INSURANC…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NM THE CONSUEMR BELIEVES THAT A FUEL PRESSURE RECALL, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN INITIATED, WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER HE WAS TOLD THAT HIS VHEICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THREE WEEKS AFTER SETTLING MATTER WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10092481

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CURRENT GM RECALL # 03054B-CONSUMERS NUMBER, CURRENT RECALL ON BUICK LESABRES REGARDING FUEL INJECTORS/BACKFIRING/CAUSING FIRE. UNFOTUNATELY I EXPERIENCED THE REASON FOR THE RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS AT AL SERRA BUICK IN GRAND BLANC, MI. I HAVE CONTACTED GM CORP AND THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND STILL NO ANSWERS. THE DEALER…

Read full complaint

CURRENT GM RECALL # 03054B-CONSUMERS NUMBER, CURRENT RECALL ON BUICK LESABRES REGARDING FUEL INJECTORS/BACKFIRING/CAUSING FIRE. UNFOTUNATELY I EXPERIENCED THE REASON FOR THE RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS AT AL SERRA BUICK IN GRAND BLANC, MI. I HAVE CONTACTED GM CORP AND THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND STILL NO ANSWERS. THE DEALERSHIP IS DOING THE RECALL WORK AND THEN CHARGING ME $523.86 FOR ADDITIONAL WORK THAT INVOLVES THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP ME!!! I AM NOT ABLE TO GET TO MY JOB WITHOUT MY VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP!!!!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10086965

44,161 miles · Aug 4, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire

CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD BOOM. THEN FLAMES CAME FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE, SAID A WITNESS. CONSUMER GOT OUT AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK IN JUNE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE WHICH EXPLAINED THE FAILURE THAT SHE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL MONTHS EARLIER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10067232

Official recalls

2

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.

99V089000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 26, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE." A RETAINING CLIP, WHICH SECURES THE MANUAL VALVE TO THE LINKAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETENT LEVER, CAN BECOME LOOSE UNDER A COMBINATION OF POSSIBLE DRIVER SHIFTING MANEUVERS AND ALLOW THE LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE MANUAL VALVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LINK DISCONNECTS, THE DRIVER'S INDICATED PRNDL STATE MAY DIFFER FROM THE HYDRAULIC STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE DRIVER SELECTS 'DRIVE' AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN 'REVERSE', A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.

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

3

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.

RQ99007 · Transmission Shift Lever Sequence

Opened May 26, 1999 · Closed Feb 8, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

No summary supplied.