NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
45 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Apr 23, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFuel System, OtherFire
WEATHER WAS BELOW ZERO (-20 TO -30) FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE AND INCLUDING JANUARY 30, 2004. MY 2000 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM REFUSED TO START TWO DAYS PREVIOUS, SO ON THE EVENING OF JANUARY 29, I POURED A BOTTLE OF ISO-HEET INTO THE GAS TANK AND THEN PLUGGED THE HEADBOLT HEATER IN OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING (JAN. 30), I GOT INTO T…
Read full complaint
WEATHER WAS BELOW ZERO (-20 TO -30) FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE AND INCLUDING JANUARY 30, 2004. MY 2000 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM REFUSED TO START TWO DAYS PREVIOUS, SO ON THE EVENING OF JANUARY 29, I POURED A BOTTLE OF ISO-HEET INTO THE GAS TANK AND THEN PLUGGED THE HEADBOLT HEATER IN OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING (JAN. 30), I GOT INTO THE LESABRE TO START IT TO GO TO WORK. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, I HEARD A CLICK AND THEN BOOM! IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING HAD EXPLODED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. SMOKE BEGAN ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GRABBED MY BELONGINGS AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY. I WAS SHOCKED, BUT NOT HURT. I HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE HOOD LIKE THE DRAFT FROM A FIRE. I CALLED 911 AND STOOD BACK ABOUT 40 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THERE WERE FLAMES LEAPING OUT 5 FEET HIGH FROM THE SPACE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE FENDER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AFTERWARDS. HE SAID THAT IT APPEARED THAT A FUEL LINE HAD RUPTURED. THAT IS ALL HE SAID. THAT DOES NOT EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT EXPLODED. THE BATTERY ON A 2000 LESABRE IS UNDER THE BACK SEAT, AND IT WAS INTACT AFTER THE FIRE. THE FIRE FIGHTERS HAD REMOVED THE BACK SEAT AND CUT THE BATTERY CABLES, SO I SAW THAT IT WAS OKAY. THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS BURNED UP. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I LOST TWO DAYS OF WORK MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ONLY PAID ME $10,998.00 FOR THE LOSS. I HAD TO PAY $2839.56 OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO PAY OFF THE CAR LOAN. (WORST OF ALL, I HAD TO GO TO MY BROTHER, A CAR SALESMAN, AND BUY A [XXX] FORD! I WANT MY BEAUTIFUL LESABRE BACK!) P.S.: ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOTALLY BURNED UP, THE FIREWALL PERFORMED BEAUTIFULLY. AFTER THE FIRE, I WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE CAR AND REMOVE PAPERS FROM THE GLOVE BOX THAT WERE UNTOUCHED BY THE FIRE OR THE HEAT. EXCEPT FOR THE SOOT FROM THE FIRE FIGHTERS' BOOTS AND A SMOKY SMELL, THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS OTHERWISE UNHARMED.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
NHTSA ODI #10067738
37,000 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED. THE DEALER SUPPLIED THE PARTS AND THE CONSUMER PAID $80.00. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10059312
45,000 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED 15 TIMES WITHIN A 5 MILE RADIUS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO RESTART IT. WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN THE DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING DUE TO LOSE OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10046091
64,000 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE WOULD MISFIRE AND STALL WHEN REACHING HIGH TEMPERATURE. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN INTAKE MANIFOLD DEFECT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE OF HIGH MILEAGE. *AK THERE WAS LEAKAGE AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, POOR GAS MILEAGE AND ACCELERATION. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039806
35,000 miles · Aug 27, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
MULTIPLE 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
NHTSA ODI #10037720
26,078 miles · Jun 3, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
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
NHTSA ODI #10021554
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR WORK DONE ON THE FUEL INJECTORS WHICH WAS NOT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR A ROUTINE CHECK AT 60,000 MILES. MR * PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10015703
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE WOULD MISFIRE AND RUN ROUGH WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED # 1 INJECTOR. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8010832
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other
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
NHTSA ODI #8003802
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSeats
FUEL TANK AND SENDING LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO O-RINGS IMPROPERLY FITTED ON FUEL PUMP. IN JULY 2000, VEHICLE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER A BUMP. FRONT/REAR TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS. DEALERSHIP PUT A SEALER ON THIS, BUT IT FAILED TO CORRECT DEFECT. *AK THE DEALER …
Read full complaint
FUEL TANK AND SENDING LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO O-RINGS IMPROPERLY FITTED ON FUEL PUMP. IN JULY 2000, VEHICLE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER A BUMP. FRONT/REAR TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS. DEALERSHIP PUT A SEALER ON THIS, BUT IT FAILED TO CORRECT DEFECT. *AK THE DEALER HAD REPLACED MOTOR, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, POWER STEERING LINES, GASKET TO CATALYTIC CONVERTOR AND SWITCH FOR HEATED SEAT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #885524
Official recalls
5Feb 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Illustration