IllustrationLOUD NOISE UNDER HOOD AT START UP. START UP FAILED. RESTART WORKED BUT A CONSTANT STRONG BURNING ODOR CONTINUED FOLLOWED BY FLUID LEAKAGE. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER ( WORDEN MARTIN BUICK IN CHAMPAIGN, IL. . THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT REQUIRED A $753.00 REPAIR BILL, SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. DT
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 reportsWHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
I HAD AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT TIMES THAT I WOULD GO TO START THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD ONLY HUM, NOT START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY CABLES AND THEY SAID YES. I ASKED THIS AS I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, A LOOSE BATTERY CONN…
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I HAD AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT TIMES THAT I WOULD GO TO START THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD ONLY HUM, NOT START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY CABLES AND THEY SAID YES. I ASKED THIS AS I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, A LOOSE BATTERY CONNECTION. I KNEW THEY DID NOT CHECK, AS THE BATTERY IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT AND I PLACED A KLEENEX BOX IN A MARKED POSITION AND IT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME WHEN THEY RETURNED THE CAR. IT FINALLY JUST WOULDN'T START AT ALL, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR STATION (NOT THE DEALER) TO BE FIXED. THEY SAID THE BATTERY CABLE WAS LOOSE AND ARKING AND THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A FIRE UNDER THE BACK SEAT. THE REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT, I DON'T WANT ANYONE INJURED OR KILLED FROM A FIRE UNDER THE REAR SEAT IN ANY 2000 BUICK LESABRE. HOPE YOU WILL MAKE GM CHECK ALL BATTERY CONNECTIONS ON ANY MODEL WITH THE BATTERY UNDER THE BACK SEAT. THANK YOU.*AK
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN CHANGING LANES AND AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON, VEHICLE WILL STALL. NO WARNING SIGN ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER IS INSPECTING VEHICLE. *AK *SLC
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD RAPPING NOISE. DEALER NOTIFED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE ENGINE SKIPS DUE TO DEFECTIVE WIRES AND ALL WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKET WERE DEFECTIVE AN…
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WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD RAPPING NOISE. DEALER NOTIFED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE ENGINE SKIPS DUE TO DEFECTIVE WIRES AND ALL WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKET WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS REQUESTING REFUND. *YH
TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, FIRST AT 20,000 MILES, AND OTHER AT 36,000 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE SKIPPING DUE TO DEFECTIVE WIRES, A FAILURE WITH THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER. THE ENGINE BECAME NON-REPAIRABLE AND CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *…
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TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, FIRST AT 20,000 MILES, AND OTHER AT 36,000 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE SKIPPING DUE TO DEFECTIVE WIRES, A FAILURE WITH THE HEAD GASKET AND VALVE COVER. THE ENGINE BECAME NON-REPAIRABLE AND CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *JG
DEALER INFORMED OF A HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHILE MAKING OTHER REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED DUE TO A REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE RATTLES IN CENTER DASH AREA. THE VEHICLE INTERMITTANTLY WOULD NOT CRANK. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTANTLY. *YH
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT STALLED OUT AT 1,600 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS SUPPOSE TO BE REPAIRED. PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AT 2,100 MILES. STOPPED DRIVING VEHICLE DURING SUMMER AND DROVE ONLY WINTER TIME. PROBLEM OF STALLING REAPPEARED ONCE MORE AT 10,600 MILES. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME FOR STALLING. FINALLY CONTACTED …
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WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT STALLED OUT AT 1,600 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS SUPPOSE TO BE REPAIRED. PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AT 2,100 MILES. STOPPED DRIVING VEHICLE DURING SUMMER AND DROVE ONLY WINTER TIME. PROBLEM OF STALLING REAPPEARED ONCE MORE AT 10,600 MILES. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME FOR STALLING. FINALLY CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT STALLING.*AK *JB
AS CONSUMER PULLED INTO PUBLIC GARAGE, VEHICLE STALLED. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. CONSUMER OPENED HOOD AND SAW FLAMES, CLOSED HOOD AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. BY THE TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK *SLC
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.