IllustrationMULTIPLE DEFECTS WITH TRANSMISSION, CRUISE CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, ENGINE COOLING, ETC.*MR VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT SO THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER OVER 40-50 MPH. *PH *JB
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.
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
410–25K
10225–50K
8650–75K
5875–100K
41100–150K
21150K+
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
78 reportsWHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE JERKED WITH OUT WARNING. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS INITIALLY TOLD THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN/WEAK, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO THEN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE WRONG CHIP WAS USED TO CONTROL THE IDLE SPEED. THE PROBLEM WA…
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WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE JERKED WITH OUT WARNING. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS INITIALLY TOLD THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN/WEAK, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO THEN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE WRONG CHIP WAS USED TO CONTROL THE IDLE SPEED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF EMISSIONS ON THE VEHICLE. PH. *JB
THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT SHORTED OUT ON BOTH OF THE CONSUMER 2000 BUICK LESABRE'S WHICH RESULTED IN INACCURATE FUEL READING. THE ROTORS AND GASKETS ALSO FAILED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SENDING UNITS ON BOTH VEHICLES. *MR *SCC *NLM
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE BY TURNING KEY IN IGNITION. LOUD SOUNDING "POP" UNDER ENGINE HOOD WAS HEARD. TURNED KEY TO "OFF" POSITION, REMOVED KEY, EXITED VEHICLE. SECOND LOUD "POP" OCCURRED. SMOKE AND FLAMES OBSERVED. LEFT GARAGE TO CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM SAFE LOCATION. *NLM
UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK. THIS TYPE REPAIR APPEARS TO BE VERY UNUSUAL FOR THIS AGE OF AUTOMOBILE. COMPLAINT SUBMITTED BY FAMILY MEMBER. *NLM
TWO COMPLAINTS. ONE-COOLANT LEAKING ON HOT ENGINE PARTS FROM DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLENUM. TWO- CAR STALLS ON OCCASION WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES.
VEHICLE HAS AN UPPER AIR PLENUM PROBLEM (OIL LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR). *TS
CONSUMER STATES WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. TS PRIOR TO FIRE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRIC POWER AND WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH FLASHED ON. AIR TEMP SENSOR, AIR INTAKE DUCT, INNER AND OUTER AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY REPLACED. WASHER RESERVOIR REPLACED. PCM REPGORAMMED. *TT
VEHICLES RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. NLM
LEAKING COOLANT LED TO REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE MANIFORD ON 2000 BUICK LESABRE WITH 3.8L ENGINE COSTING $540. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE REPORTING THAT NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ON GM 3.8L ENGINES OF SPECIFIC YEARS(1991-2000). CONVERSATIONS WITH SALESMAN AND MEACHANICS AT GM DEALERSHIP LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SE…
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LEAKING COOLANT LED TO REPLACEMENT OF INTAKE MANIFORD ON 2000 BUICK LESABRE WITH 3.8L ENGINE COSTING $540. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE REPORTING THAT NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ON GM 3.8L ENGINES OF SPECIFIC YEARS(1991-2000). CONVERSATIONS WITH SALESMAN AND MEACHANICS AT GM DEALERSHIP LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD.
Official recalls
504V090000 · 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
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.