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2000 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lesabre years

Owner complaints for the 2000 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

349 reports with mileage · 320 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 244 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports30 fire reports18 injury reports

Engine complaints

18 reports
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59,000 miles · Nov 26, 2020
Engine

ENGINE MOUNTS ARE LOOSE AND NEED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THEY MAKE JERKING SOUNDS WHEN I SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN MAKING FOR EXTRA MOVEMENTS IN CAR

NHTSA ODI #11376473

59,000 miles · Nov 26, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

BRAKE LINES RUSTING EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED THE RUSTY BRAKE LINES BEFORE. THE FIRST TIME THEY ROTTED THROUGH AND I COULD NOT STOP BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING SLOW AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11376472

130,000 miles · Jun 28, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I TURN THE IGNITION OVER DIDN'T IT DID NOT EVEN START YET A LOUD WENT BOOM AND UP UNDER THE HOOD WAS BLAZING WITH FIRE THAN MY DOORS LOCKED I COULD NOT GET OUT I HAD TO KICK THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND THEN I GOT OUT I HAD TO CALL SLEEP FIRE RESCUE SQUAD THE FIRE WAS SO BAD IT WAS GOING UP UNDER MY CARPORT AND ALMOST CAUGHT MY ROOF O…

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I TURN THE IGNITION OVER DIDN'T IT DID NOT EVEN START YET A LOUD WENT BOOM AND UP UNDER THE HOOD WAS BLAZING WITH FIRE THAN MY DOORS LOCKED I COULD NOT GET OUT I HAD TO KICK THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND THEN I GOT OUT I HAD TO CALL SLEEP FIRE RESCUE SQUAD THE FIRE WAS SO BAD IT WAS GOING UP UNDER MY CARPORT AND ALMOST CAUGHT MY ROOF ON FIRE AND ALMOST DID AND DID A LITTLE BIT

NHTSA ODI #11331285

80,000 miles · Jan 2, 2020
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COVER AND FUEL FILTER EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COVER AND FUEL FILTER EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DONATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11292548

60,000 miles · Dec 31, 2019
Engine

I NEED TO REPORT MY 2000 BUICK LESABRE, APPARENTLY HAS AND OIL LEAK. WHILE DRIVING, YOU CAN SMELL OIL LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST PIPES/MANIFOLD SYSTEM. I READ WHERE SOME ENGINES WITH THE 3.8L ENGINES: CHEVY'S, PONTIAC'S, BUICK REGAL'S ARE BEING RECALLED FOR OIL LEAKING FROM VALVE COVER GASKETS (WHEN HARD BRAKING IS APPLIED) ON TO TH…

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I NEED TO REPORT MY 2000 BUICK LESABRE, APPARENTLY HAS AND OIL LEAK. WHILE DRIVING, YOU CAN SMELL OIL LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST PIPES/MANIFOLD SYSTEM. I READ WHERE SOME ENGINES WITH THE 3.8L ENGINES: CHEVY'S, PONTIAC'S, BUICK REGAL'S ARE BEING RECALLED FOR OIL LEAKING FROM VALVE COVER GASKETS (WHEN HARD BRAKING IS APPLIED) ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM PARTS AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE, IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.. I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE. I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED ON THESE MODEL BUICK'S 2000 - 2005, FOR OIL LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM. THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11292300

10 miles · Jul 2, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFire

I HAD PROBLEM WITH WINDOWS NOT ROLLING UP AND DOWN. AFTER I TOOK MY BUICK TO PEP BOYS 3325 124TH AVE NW COON RAPIDS MN ELECTRIC MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT MY WINDOW POWER SWITCH IS DAMAGED AFTER RAIN STORM. LATER I EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE: 1 STRANGE ENGINE NOISE WHILE RUNNING 2 PUSHING FORWARD ONCE RELEASE F…

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I HAD PROBLEM WITH WINDOWS NOT ROLLING UP AND DOWN. AFTER I TOOK MY BUICK TO PEP BOYS 3325 124TH AVE NW COON RAPIDS MN ELECTRIC MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT MY WINDOW POWER SWITCH IS DAMAGED AFTER RAIN STORM. LATER I EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE: 1 STRANGE ENGINE NOISE WHILE RUNNING 2 PUSHING FORWARD ONCE RELEASE FOOT FROM BRAKE. PEP BOYS MECHANIC LOOKED AT ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND TOLD ME EVERYTHING LOOKS OK BUT I NEED TO GET ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC DONE WITH PEP BOYS. I GOT SCHEDULE FOR THAT. MEANWHILE I ENDED UP IN CAR TRAFFIC PROBLEM BECAUSE OF FIRE OF MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11105197

75,000 miles · Jan 6, 2018
Engine

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11060941

137,000 miles · May 15, 2017
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE. AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT REPLACED THE GASKET. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE. AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT REPLACED THE GASKET. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME PLANT AS THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000. UPDATED 08/31/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10985765

183,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKING IN THE GARAGE, AN ODOR OF HOT BURNING WAX EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL OIL LEAK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKING IN THE GARAGE, AN ODOR OF HOT BURNING WAX EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL OIL LEAK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

NHTSA ODI #10949759

94,000 miles · Jan 4, 2017
Engine

LEAKING OIL ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE WHICH PERMEATES PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS CAR HAS THE 3.8 SERIES LL ENGINE WHICH HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE REGAL BUT NOT THE LESABRE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM ON THE LESABRE TOO. WHY IS IT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? OFTEN HAPPENS WHILE DRIVIN…

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LEAKING OIL ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE WHICH PERMEATES PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS CAR HAS THE 3.8 SERIES LL ENGINE WHICH HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE REGAL BUT NOT THE LESABRE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM ON THE LESABRE TOO. WHY IS IT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? OFTEN HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING BUT THE LAST TIME WAS WHEN I HAD JUST PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND SMOKE POURED OUT FROM THE HOOD. USING THE RECIRCULATING AIR SETTING SEEMS TO HELP SMOKE FROM ENTERING THE CABIN. WHY IS THIS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FACTORY RECALL!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10939644

Official recalls

5

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.

00V114000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Apr 17, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKS IN THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THE REAR BRAKE PROPORTIONING, ANTILOCK BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, OR STABILITY CONTROL FEATURE IS ACTIVATED IN SOME DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE FEATURE MAY NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULATOR UNIT AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC MODULATOR.

99V355000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Dec 17, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE HEAD LAMP ADJUSTMENT DEVICE HORIZONTAL ADJUSTER MAY NOT MOVE THE HEAD LAMP REFLECTOR WHEN THE SHAFT IS ROTATED IN A NORMAL MANNER DURING AIMING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: AN INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS WILL BE PROVIDED TO OWNERS FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE IN THE INSERT FOR HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT, RATHER THAN USING THE HORIZONTAL VHAD INDICATOR.

99V301000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Oct 29, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE INNER TIE ROD NUTS ARE LOOSE AND CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED STEERING INPUT INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK AND ADJUST THE VEHICLE TOE-IN AND TIGHTEN THE INNER TIE ROD NUTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

99V238000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Aug 27, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THESE NUTS ARE LOOSE, THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE LOW, THE ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE, AND IF THE NUTS BACK COMPLETELY OFF, BRAKING MAY BE LOST. ALSO FUME AND WATER INTRUSION TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.

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.