IllustrationVEHICLE EXPERIENCING SEVERE PROBLEM WITH REAR OF VEHICLE BOUNCING AND SCRAPING THE ROAD WHENEVER THERE ARE FOUR OR MORE PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. BUT ONLY TESTED VEHICLE WITH HIMSELF ONLY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lesabre years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1725–50K
1950–75K
2275–100K
8100–150K
10150K+
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
What owners actually said
209 reportsMY VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ( CHEVY ASTRO MINI-VAN) IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. I WAS TRAVELING AT POSTED 30 MPH. MY CAR WAS SHOVED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL OF THE BRIDGE CAUSING SEVERE FRONT DAMAGE AND THEN RIDING UP THE WALL AND THEN BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE …
Read full complaint
MY VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ( CHEVY ASTRO MINI-VAN) IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. I WAS TRAVELING AT POSTED 30 MPH. MY CAR WAS SHOVED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL OF THE BRIDGE CAUSING SEVERE FRONT DAMAGE AND THEN RIDING UP THE WALL AND THEN BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL.
99 V 089 000/FMVSS 102/TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN SURGE WHILE AT A TOTAL STOP ON A INCLINE WAITING ON EXITING TRAFFIC TO MOVE; THE SURGE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BUMPER A 1987 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. DEALER/MFR CONTACTED.
TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL ONES. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS UNSURE IF THE BRAND WAS GENERAL. HOWEVER, CONSUME R NOTED THAT TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVELY WORN OUT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. YH
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLS, NOT ABLE TO BE RECTIFIED THROUGH REPAIRS. *MJS
THE COMPANY/MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AFTER THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A MISHAP. YH
BRAKES ARE SPONGY; PARTIALLY DUE TO A RACING ENGINE, IT TAKES MORE PRESSURE TO APPLY THE BRAKES FOR WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A ROUTINE STOP. THE ENGINE HAS 'AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL' WHICH DISTORTS NORMAL DRIVING SENSORS. I DROVE A SIMILAR BUICK FOR A DAY AND IT DIDN'T REQUIRE ME TO BRAKE FREQUENTLY TO AVOID EXCEEDING OUR COND…
Read full complaint
BRAKES ARE SPONGY; PARTIALLY DUE TO A RACING ENGINE, IT TAKES MORE PRESSURE TO APPLY THE BRAKES FOR WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A ROUTINE STOP. THE ENGINE HAS 'AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL' WHICH DISTORTS NORMAL DRIVING SENSORS. I DROVE A SIMILAR BUICK FOR A DAY AND IT DIDN'T REQUIRE ME TO BRAKE FREQUENTLY TO AVOID EXCEEDING OUR CONDO AREA'S SPEED LIMIT. *AK
RENTAL CAR: NHTSA RECALL 99V08900 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99011. STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN A PARKING LOT, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, CONSUMER GOT OUT, AND LEFT WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN THE HILL. TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION. *AK *ML
VEHICLE BEING REPORTED OWNED BY AVIS CORPORATION. DRIVER/PATIENT WAS OPERATING A BUICK LA SABRE, RENTED FROM AVIS. DRIVER STATES HE WAS APPROACHING INTERSECTION, DURING A LIGHT RAIN STORM, AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR CONTROL THE BUICK. THE BUICK CONTACT A MID 80'S NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK WHICH WAS IN THE INTERSECTION. THE BUICK APPEAR…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE BEING REPORTED OWNED BY AVIS CORPORATION. DRIVER/PATIENT WAS OPERATING A BUICK LA SABRE, RENTED FROM AVIS. DRIVER STATES HE WAS APPROACHING INTERSECTION, DURING A LIGHT RAIN STORM, AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR CONTROL THE BUICK. THE BUICK CONTACT A MID 80'S NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK WHICH WAS IN THE INTERSECTION. THE BUICK APPEARS TO HAVE CONTACT THE FRONT LEFT TIRED, RIDING UP ONTO THE LEFT FENDER AND HOOD OF THE PICKUP. THE PICKUP BODY HAD MODERATE DAMAGE SUGGESTIVE OF CONTACT SPEED BETWEEN 10-20 MPH. BODY DAMAGE TO THE BUICK APPEARS TO BE PRIMARILY ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE LEFT FENDER HAD MINIMUM DAMAGE. THE FRONT BUMPER AND UNDERCARRIAGE APPEARED TO HAVE MODERATE DAMAGE. ALL THE TRANSMISSION OIL FROM THE TRANSAXLE WAS RELEASED ONTO THE PAVEMENT DO TO DAMAGE TO THE TRANSAXLE HOUSING. . BOTH DRIVERS WERE WEARING LAP/SHOULDER HARNESSES AND DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE AIRBAGS ON THE BUICK LA SABRE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE BUICK WAS SITTING WELL BACK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO HAD A CORRECTLY ADJUSTED HEAD RESTRAINT. GIVEN THE APPARENTLY VOLICITY OF THE BUICK I AM UNCLEAR WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Official recalls
204V090000 · 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
3EA02030 · 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.