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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.

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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

17 reports
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151,561 miles · Sep 21, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WITH MY SON HE NOTICED ALL THE FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND CLOSE TO FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY ENCOUNTERED A BURST REAR BRAKE LINE ON 5-19-09, MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 143,304. SEE NHTSA ODI #: 10269462. ALL METAL BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AND TO/FROM T…

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WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WITH MY SON HE NOTICED ALL THE FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND CLOSE TO FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY ENCOUNTERED A BURST REAR BRAKE LINE ON 5-19-09, MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 143,304. SEE NHTSA ODI #: 10269462. ALL METAL BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AND TO/FROM THE ABS UNIT AND FRONT WHEELS WERE REPLACED TO AVOID IMMINENT BRAKE FAILURE. SILENTLY RUSTING BRAKE LINES ARE A POTENTIAL FOR SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED BRAKE LOSS, ONLY GIVING THE DRIVER SECONDS TO REACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426558

130,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN IN NATURE. THE FAILURE WAS THE BRAKES ON MY CAR WHICH RESULTED IN A MINOR (NO DAMAGE) ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF STOPPING POWER. THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH (PICTURES AVAILABLE, THE LINES MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE) CAUSING NEARLY COMPLETE LOSS OF STOPPING POWER. I …

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THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN IN NATURE. THE FAILURE WAS THE BRAKES ON MY CAR WHICH RESULTED IN A MINOR (NO DAMAGE) ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF STOPPING POWER. THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH (PICTURES AVAILABLE, THE LINES MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE) CAUSING NEARLY COMPLETE LOSS OF STOPPING POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BUT DID RUN INTO SHRUBBERY RESULTING IN MINOR SCRATCHES TO THE EXTERIOR. I HAD THE CAR BROUGHT HOME AND REPLACED THE RUSTED BRAKES LINES MYSELF WITH NEW TEFLON COATED LINES TO ENSURE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10414639

143,304 miles · May 20, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE LINES IN MY 1999 BUICK LESABRE HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I WAS DRIVING HOME, UNDER NORMAL WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, WHEN MY BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT WENT ON. UPON PULLING OVER, I SAW A LARGE LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINES. I MANAGED TO GET HOME AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SAW ALL LINES WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED. I WILL BE REP…

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THE BRAKE LINES IN MY 1999 BUICK LESABRE HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I WAS DRIVING HOME, UNDER NORMAL WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, WHEN MY BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT WENT ON. UPON PULLING OVER, I SAW A LARGE LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINES. I MANAGED TO GET HOME AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SAW ALL LINES WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED. I WILL BE REPLACING ALL BRAKE LINES IN THE CAR WITH NEW ONES MYSELF, AS IT IS TOO COSTLY TO DO AT A SHOP. THE CAR HAS 143304 MILES AND IS NOT OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269462

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1998 BUICK LESABRE LEAKING REAR WHEEL CYLINDER. CUSTOMER STATES CYLINDER WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN 48,000 MILES DEALERSHIP TOLD CUSTOMER IT'S FROM NOT USING IT ENOUGH CUSTOMER IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND USES THE CAR ON A DAILY BASIS**SB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO LIMITED DRIVING, CAUSED THE RUBBER PARTS TO DRY OUT AND CR…

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1998 BUICK LESABRE LEAKING REAR WHEEL CYLINDER. CUSTOMER STATES CYLINDER WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN 48,000 MILES DEALERSHIP TOLD CUSTOMER IT'S FROM NOT USING IT ENOUGH CUSTOMER IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND USES THE CAR ON A DAILY BASIS**SB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO LIMITED DRIVING, CAUSED THE RUBBER PARTS TO DRY OUT AND CRACK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10196919

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL IT HESITATED. ALSO, REAR SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY UP AND IT WILL NOT SEAL. ALSO ,THE HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE LIGHT AND IT CAME BACK ON. THE MANIFOLD INT…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL IT HESITATED. ALSO, REAR SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY UP AND IT WILL NOT SEAL. ALSO ,THE HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE LIGHT AND IT CAME BACK ON. THE MANIFOLD INTAKE BLEW OUT, COSTING THE CONTACT $150 TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKETS. THE BRAKES WERE NOISY ALL THE TIME. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE FLAP WILL RUB THE TIRE, AND IT CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT .*AK

NHTSA ODI #10140633

70,706 miles · Sep 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 1999 BUICK LESABRE AND WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LINES SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTERWARDS. WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES WERE BARELY RESPONDING JUST ENOUGH TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND LOW GEAR T…

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DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 1999 BUICK LESABRE AND WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LINES SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTERWARDS. WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES WERE BARELY RESPONDING JUST ENOUGH TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND LOW GEAR TO STOP. CONSUMER WOULD TRY TO PUMP BRAKES AND THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO GO TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER STOPPED, INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, AND DISCOVERED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS LEAKS FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE LEAK FROM THE BRAKE LINES WAS LATER DISCOVERED AT HOME UPON FURTHER INSPECTION. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE BRAKE LINES AND NOTED THERE WAS RUST AT THE AREA OF THE ABS UNIT AND ALONG THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR AS WELL. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MADE ANY REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10135450

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LINE ON THE 1999 BUICK LESABRE RUSTED. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10108828

32,196 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE LINE ERUPTED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BY USING THE VEHICLE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE LINE ERUPTED DUE TO RUST/CORROSION. *AK ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED FROM PMV TO THE WHEELS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10090392

40,000 miles · Jul 26, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

RECALL CONCERNING DEFECT IN FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR DIAPHRAGM LEAK. *MR RECALL# 04V090000. THERE WAS A THUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHICH HAD COME FROM THE REAR WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS HAD TURNED INTO A SEVERE JOLT. BOTH WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE CONTAMINATED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE …

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RECALL CONCERNING DEFECT IN FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR DIAPHRAGM LEAK. *MR RECALL# 04V090000. THERE WAS A THUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHICH HAD COME FROM THE REAR WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS HAD TURNED INTO A SEVERE JOLT. BOTH WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE CONTAMINATED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKED FLUID INTO THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10083981

70,000 miles · Jul 19, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CONSUMER HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL REGULATOR. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES ALSO LOCKED-UP WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10082185

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.