1998 BUICK LESABRE Recalls, Complaints & Safety

The contact owns a 1998 Buick LeSabre. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V090000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and at various speeds, the engine started to misfire. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved code: P0300 (Multiple Random Cylinder Misfire). The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 231,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. ON FURTHER INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE, BUSHINGS, AND FASTENING HARDWARE ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AS WELL. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT CORRODED IN ANY WAY, NOT EVEN RUST BELT PROBLEM AREAS. FROM RESEARCHING ONLINE (INCLUDING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE) BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON IN LATE 90'S GM W-BODY VEHICLES. HOW THIS HAS NOT ELEVATED INTO A SAFETY INVESTIGATION BY NOW IS TROUBLING TO ME. FORD WAS REQUIRED TO RECALL DUE TO RUSTING BRAKE LINES...... DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FOR THE NHSTA TO INVESTIGATE?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED THE ODOMETER MILEAGE OF 99,999, IT FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

THE SUB FRAME (SOMETIMES CALLED ENGINE CRADLE) BUSHINGS, RETAINERS, AND THE SUB FRAME ITSELF WHEREIN THEY MOUNT, ARE DECAYED. SOME BUSHINGS AND RETAINERS ARE COMPLETELY MISSING. HAVING INVESTIGATED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REPAIR, I HAVE FOUND THAT NEARLY ALL GM CARS WITH THIS MOUNTING SYSTEM ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE, IN THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. IN MY OPINION THIS IS THE RESULT OF A DESIGN OR MATERIALS FAILURE, INCORPORATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED.THE REPAIR COST OF THE PARTS, FROM GM "DEALER ONLY", IS PROHIBITIVE. IS THIS BEING CONSIDERED FOR A MANDATORY RECALL.?

MY CAR SEEMS TO JUST DIE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT THEM YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT A FEW MINS BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN AND NO BODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE TO YOU

I WAS DRIVING INTO DRIVE WAY AND HEARD A LOUD THUD THEN NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER. I PUT THE CAR UP ON RAMPS AND ALL FOUR REAR SUB FRAME BUSHINGS WHERE MISSING. THIS COMPONENT HOLDS THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND STEERING TO THE CAR.!!!! BEING A TECHNICIAN ,I LOOKED ON LINE TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FOUND IT IS VERY COMMON . IF I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. THANKFULLY I WAS DOING 10 MPH MANY ON LINE COMPLAINTS TALK ABOUT PEOPLE LOOSING CONTROL. OR THE FRONT END DROPPING FENDERS ON TO TIRES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY. ISSUE AND I HAVE FOUND IT SPANS 1992 TO 1999. GM MODELS. THIS IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS THE IGNITION PROBLEM POSSIBLY WORSE SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS. IF YOU CHECK ONLY AT WWW.CARGURUS.COM THEY HAVE A SECTION TITLED { CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE 92-99 BUICK } PLEASE LOOK AND DO SOMETHING BEFORE. SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR

I CAME HOME AFTER BIBLE STUDY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND GOT UP THURSDAY THEN THE SECURITY LIGHT WENT BLINKING. MY HUSBAND HAD THE KEY IGNITION REPLACE THEN BROUGHT NEW KEY BUT CAR STILL WOULDN'T START SO HAD THE CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED. 10 MONTHS AND THREE WEEKS THE CAR DID THE SAME BUT I WAS DRIVING THIS TIME AND IT SHUT DOWN IN THE ROAD WITH ME AND MY CHILDREN. IT WAS FRIGHTEN BUT WE MADE IT SAFELY OUT OF THE ROAD BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPEN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN . I AM UPSET ABOUT THE PROBLEM. A CAR HAS NO BUSINESS SHUTTING OFF IN THE ROAD WHILE A PERSON IS DRIVING IT ACCIDENT OR NO ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT IN DANGER PEOPLES LIFE. A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR MANY PEOPLE WHOM HAVE THESE CARS MADE BY GM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TWICE AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND UNPROTECTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CROSSARM AND FOUR CRADLE BOLTS AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

BRAKES WENT OUT, HAD NO PEDAL AT ALL. MANAGED TO GET HOME. FLUID FULL. MASTER CYLINDER OK. BRAKE SHOES NEW. BRAKE FLUID NOT LEAKING. OIL IS LEAKING, BUT NO BRAKE FLUID AT ALL. CANNOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM. CANNOT GET ANY PEDAL ON THE BRAKES. *TR

OBSERVED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR AFTER DRIVING THE CAR. THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR WAS A LEAK IN THE NYLON FUEL PRESSURE LINE FEEDING THE REAR FUEL RAIL ON THE ENGINE. THE LEAK IN THE LINE WAS CAUSED BY THE ENGINE SHROUD. THE ENGINE HAS A REMOVABLE PLASTIC SHROUD, AND THE EDGE OF THE SHROUD WAS RUBBING ON THE FUEL LINE AND EVENTUALLY CUT THROUGH THE LINE AND CREATED A PINHOLE LEAK. *TR

THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THE VEHICLE CUTTING OFF WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. THE VEHICLE JUST CUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUT IN PARK AND THE IGNITION WAS SWITCHED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT "45 MPH". THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN PUT IN PARK. THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON WITH THE IGNITION KEY. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT "55 MPH". THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN PUT IN PARK. THE VEHICLE TURNED BACK ON WITH THE IGNITION KEY.

THE VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT HAD A MISS, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FLASHING, THEN STOPPED FLASHING BUT REMAINED ON. I DROVE VEHICLE HOME, AND THE NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT HAD HYDRO LOCKED DUE TO COOLANT DRIPPING ON THE PISTON FROM A COOLANT LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS IS NOT A CHEAP REPAIR. *TR

1998 BUICK - LESABRE ,THE INTAKE PLENUM HAD A HOLE IN IT BECAUSE IT GOT TO HOT,AND ANTIFREEZE WENT INTO THE BLOCK. BUICK HAS HAD THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. NO RECALL , IT COST ME $785.76 TO HAVE FIXED. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. THIS IS BS. THERE ARE 1000S OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS CAR. I HAVE 61502 MILES ON THIS CAR. MY MECHANIC SAID HE HAS FIXED ATLEAST 30 OVER THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE BUICK-LESABRE 1992 AND UP. TIMES ARE HARD RIGHT NOW, I DON'T HAVE HIS KIND OF MONEY. I JUST DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM, WITH THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM. BUICK NEEDS TO CALL A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. LETS HELP EACH OTHER OUT ,AND CALL EVERY NEWS STATION,PAPER. AND GET IT RESOLVED. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CAR STOPPED WHEN IT WAS PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, IT MADE A SCREECHING SOUND. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE STARTER "EXPLODED" BECAUSE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE PLENEUM INTO THE CYLINDERS AND STARTER. THE MECHANIC ADVISED IT WOULD COST OVER $800.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER ON THE 16, OF SEPTEMBER, 2011 AND AS HE WAS DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF. THANKFULLY HE WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 35 BUT HAD IT BEEN ELSEWHERE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE CAR CUT OFF HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND MADE IT HOME AFTER PICKING UP HIS SISTER. EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN MY CAR ON. I ASKED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I SHOULD INSERT THE KEY TURN IT ON WAIT A MINUTE AND THEN TURN KEY OFF. WAIT 10 MINUTES AND TRY TO START MY CAR. I DID JUST THAT AND MY CAR IS NOT GOING ON AT ALL. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS IT THAT I SHOULD DO NEXT? VERY FRUSTRATED I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK. *TT

THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE AUTOMOBILE IS FAULTY. THE GAUGE GIVES INACCURATE AND RANDOM FUEL LEVEL READINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

1998 BUICK LESABRE CRASHED AT LOW SPEED CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE, ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS, LEAVING ME WITH BILLS OF OVER $10,000 FOR LOST CAR, REPAIRS, INSURANCE. PROBLEM HAD ARISEN ON AND OFF SINCE ACQUIRING CAR AT 65,000 MILES..TWICE TAKEN IN TO GM DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PROBLEM WOULD DISAPPEAR FOR MONTHS AND THEN REAPPEAR. NUMEROUS MECHANICS CHECKED AND COULD NOT FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM. AFTER CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL, NEWS STORY RAN ABOUT TOYOTA CARS STALLING OUT DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE CONTROL MODULES (NHTSA REPORT #PE09054). THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS MADE BY DELPHI..WHICH WAS OWNED BY GENERAL MOTORS..MAKERS OF THE BUICK LESABRE. I CONTACTED GM HEADQUARTERS TO ASK IF THE CONTROL MODULE IN MY PART WAS MADE BY GM/DELPHI. THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER ME, SAYING THAT AS NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED AND MY CAR WAS GONE,THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME. MEANWHILE, IT TURNS OUT THAT GM DID OWN DELPHI IN 1998, DID MANUFACTURE THOSE MODULES, WHICH HAD TO HAVE BEEN IN THE BUICK LESABRES,AND WERE YEARS LATER CAUSING IDENTICAL ENGINE FAILURES IN TOYOTAS. THOSE PARTS ARE OUT THERE TODAY, WAITING FOR SOMETHING HORRIBLE TO HAPPEN. AMONG THE 12 SUMMARIES YOU HAVE ON YOUR SITE FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH BUICK LESABRES, ONE IS EVEN WORSE THAN MINE "REPORT #9001048 "COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH A TRAGEDY BARELY AVOIDED, TRANSMISSION FAILURE". WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AT 65,000 MILES IT HAD A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AS WELL, WHICH WAS FOUND AND FIXED. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM PERSISTED UNTIL THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON, ON A BUSY LOCAL ROAD. WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED, THE BRAKES FAILED. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. QUICK THINKING PUT ME UP AGAINST A TELEPHONE POLE SO NO LIVES WERE LOST. MANY OF YOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS MENTION COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH THIS CAR. INVESTIGATION ANYONE? *TR

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I HAVE A 1998 BUICK LESABRE AND THE CAR HAS DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

I HAD TO MAKE A "PANIC STOP" DUE TO A CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT.THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE I FELT THE BRAKES HOLD. A BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED. INSPECTION REVEALED ALL THE LINES TO AND FROM THE POWER BRAKE UNIT[6 LINES] WERE RUSTED BADLY AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION THAT OCCURRED WITHIN THE ENGINE. WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO FLOW FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MANIFOLD HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A FUEL LEAK WAS PRESENT WITHIN THE ENGINE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED YET THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A ROW OF HEDGES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. IN JUNE 2010, THE CONTACT NOTICED ABNORMAL FRONT END NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE BUSHINGS UNDER THE CRADLE WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN BOTH AREAS. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED YET THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A ROW OF HEDGES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. IN JUNE 2010, THE CONTACT NOTICED ABNORMAL FRONT END NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE BUSHINGS UNDER THE CRADLE WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN BOTH AREAS. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED YET THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A ROW OF HEDGES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. IN JUNE 2010, THE CONTACT NOTICED ABNORMAL FRONT END NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE BUSHINGS UNDER THE CRADLE WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN BOTH AREAS. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED YET THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A ROW OF HEDGES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. IN JUNE 2010, THE CONTACT NOTICED ABNORMAL FRONT END NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE BUSHINGS UNDER THE CRADLE WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN BOTH AREAS. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET ON 6/17/10 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I SLOWED DOWN TO SEE WHAT HAPPEN. I SEEN NOTHING BUT SOME BOLTS IN THE STREET. I PICK THEM UP AND GOT BACK IN THE CAR. THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER THE CAR JUST HAD GAS NO STEERING. I LOOKED UP UNDER THE CAR AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS FALLING OUT OF THE CAR. I LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND IT WAS ALONG WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS TWO MIN. AWAY FROM GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. GOD WAS WITH ME IF THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WRITE THIS LETTER TONIGHT. RUSTED BOLTS WITH NO WARNING FALLING OFF A CAR A LITTLE OVER TEN YEARS OLD. IF THEY CANT GET SOME WAY TO WARN PEOPLE THAT THEIR BOLTS COULD FALL OFF AND THEIR STEERING GO OUT DRIFTING FROM LANE TO LANE WITH NO CONTROL OF THE AUTOMOBILE, THAN DON'T MAKE THEM. THAT WAS MY MOTHERS CAR IF I WOULDN'T HAVE DRIVEN IT SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN RIDING IN THAT CAR WITH SIX CHILDREN TODAY. SHE IS FROM ATLANTA WE ARE IN PITTSBURGH, PA THE ONLY ROADS SHE TAKES ARE THE MAIN ONES AND EXPRESSWAYS. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP ILL WRITE BACK WHEN THE MECHANIC TELLS ME WHAT WENT WRONG. *TR

I AM CURRENTLY THE OWNER OF A 1998 BUICK LESABRE WITH APPROXIMATELY 24,600 MILES. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CAR BACKFIRED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS CHUGGING AND THE EXHAUST SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE AND BURNING PLASTIC. AT THE SERVICE SHOP WHERE I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS GOOD I BROUGHT THE CAR IN SO SOON BECAUSE THIS SORT OF PROBLEM IF NOT FIXED COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A POSSIBLE FIRE. I CONTACTED BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE IN REGARDS TO THE PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS AND THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR IN MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF ANY BUICK RECALLS. WHEN ASKED IF I COULD RECEIVE SOME DOCUMENTATION THAT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF ANY RECALLS, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH THAT PAPERWORK AND THAT ANYONE ELSE COULD TALK TO WITH BUICK WOULD TELL ME THE SAME THING IN REGARDS TO MY VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A BUICK LESABRE, CUSTOM, 1998, WITH ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY, WITH NO PRIOR PROBLEMS RELATING TO STARTING. I DROVE IT OUT OF TOWN, ABOUT 80 MILES AWAY. IT STILL WAS FINE, STARTING UP WITH NO PROBLEM, SEVERAL TIMES AFTER GETTING THERE. HOWEVER, AT A CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE, THE CAR REFUSED TO START. NO CLICK, BUZZ, NOTHING. ALL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, A.C., RADIO, WINDOWS, WERE FINE. THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED EVERY TIME I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY....EVEN AFTER WAITING 3 MINUTES TO TRY AGAIN. I EVEN TRIED A SECOND KEY, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TRIED, AND HE WIGGLED THE KEY IN THE KEY CYLINDER AND THE CAR STARTED. DROVE HOME, TRIED TO START CAR AGAIN, AND IT REFUSED TO START, NO MATTER HOW MUCH WIGGLING WE DID. CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS. THEY ALL SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE CONTACT WIRES IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER THAT READ THE KEY'S "RESISTANCE" AND SEND AN "O.K" SIGNAL TO THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THE STARTER. (THE INTERNET SAYS THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR BREAKING/MALFUNCTIONING IN GM CARS) THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $400 MINIMUM TO REPLACE THE KEY CYLINDER. ALSO, IF THE SECURITY MODULE NEEDED REPLACING, IT COULD COST ABOUT $1000.00. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. HE PUT IN A RESISTOR BETWEEN THE TWO CONTACT WIRES COMING OUT OF THE KEY CYLINDER. DID NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. (INCIDENTALLY, ONE DEALER EVEN INSISTED THERE WAS NO "BY-PASS" METHOD OF FIXING THE PROBLEM.) ALL KEYS WORK NOW. SECURITY LIGHT ACTS NORMALLY, DOES NOT STAY ON ALL THE TIME. REMOTE FOB WORKS O.K., TOO. *TR

THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE RUSTED GET IN TO THE PLASTIC FITING AND GASOLINE WAS LEAKING AT THE GAS TANK. *TR

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HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED, THE CAR STARTED CONSUMING DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE, BUT NONE WAS NOTICED LEAKING EXTERNAL TO THE ENGINE. THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD MADE OF PLASTIC APPARENTLY WARPED, AND/OR A HOLE BURNED IN NEAR THE EGR STOVE PIPE, THUS DUMPING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE AND HYDROLOCKING THE ENGINE. MAJOR PROBLEM, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WOULD NOT START OR RUN. THIS CAR HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH BOTH REGULAR OIL AND COOLANT CHANGES, THE CAR HAS BEEN ADULT DRIVING . COST TO REPAIR $450.00 FOR JUST UPPER INTAKE, ADD ANOTHER $450 FOR THE LOWER INTAKE AS WELL. *TR

MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND MY ENGINE LOCKED UP, I WAS INFORMED FROM MY MECHANIC THAT GM WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND CAME OUT WITH A BETTER ONE MADE OF METAL. THIS A COSTLY MISTAKE LEADING TO 850 DOLLARS OF REPAIR, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF GM WOULD HAVE STEPPED UP WITH THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEW GASKET INSTEAD OF CAUSING MORE DAMAGE THEN NEEDED. *TR

BOUGHT A USED (2 OWNER) BUICK LESABRE IN DEC '08 HAVING 37,428 . IN EARLY MARCH, '09, AFTER LESS THAN 4000 MILES, STARTED HEARING A BRIEF GURGLING WHEN ENGINE TURNED OFF. IN MID-MARCH, WHILE PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY FROM A SLIGHT UPWARD GRADE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND A DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION TOOK PLACE FOR A FEW SECONDS....NEARLY CAUSING AN ONCOMING TRUCK TO COLLIDE WITH US.TOOK VEHICLE INTO A NATIONAL FRANCHISED TRANSMISSION DEALER FOR CHECKUP...TRANSMISSION CHECKED OK. HOWEVER, TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED RADIATOR FLUID IN MANIFOLD INTAKE AREA. SUSPECTING LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD SEAL AND/OR CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD COVER. NEED TO USE THE VEHICLE, BUT HAVE TO WAIT FOR REPAIR UNTIL MONEY CAN BE PUT TOGETHER. AM A DISABLED EX MARINE,VIETNAM VET.. SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY PREVALENT ONE ,BASED ON WHAT IS ON THE NET. REPLACEMENT PART IS ONLY 140.00 THROUGH A NATIONAL PARTS COMPANY. THE AUTO SHOPS ARE QUOTING OVER 800.00 TO FIX. C'MON, LET'S GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!! HAVEN'T YOU NOTICED THE POWER FAILURES IN SOME OF THE REPORTS??I WOULD THINK GM WOULD DO A VOLUNTEER RECALL, RATHER THAN RISK REPUTATION, AND CONSUMER LIFE&LIMB. THE PROBLEM IS THAT GM WAS USING HAVELIN'S 'ORANGE' ANTIFREEZE (DEXTROL) AND IT WAS FAULTY. IT WAS CONGEALING IN THE ENGINE, DISRUPTING COOLANT FLOW, THEREBY CAUSING OVERHEATING ENOUGH TO BLOW INTAKE MANIFOLDS AND/OR GASKETS........SEEMS THE 8 AUTO TECH'S I'VE TALKED TO OVER THE PAST WEEK KNOW THIS. SO, WHY DON'T THE INDUSTRY AND GOV."EXPERTS"??? *TR

THE BELT TENSIONER IS MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH BROKE DISABLING THE CAR WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED. OIL LEAK CAME FROM LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, GATHERED AROUND BOTTOM AT OIL PAN, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ALSO MADE OF PLASTIC LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO ENGINE. TENSIONER WAS REPLACED WITH SAME PLASTIC BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN RE-DESIGNED,SAME WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, THEREFORE, IT WILL GIVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR

MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE BACKFIRED, THEN STARTED ON FIRE, AFTER THE TOP OF THE MOTOR{INTAKE AND FUEL INJECTORS ETC.} WERE BLOWN OFF DURING THE EXPLOSION. THE WHOLE TOP OF THE MOTOR WAS DESTROYED. NOTIFIED GM, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP BECAUSE OF A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM!!! *TR

Fire 1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILS TO START. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL IN THE ANTIFREEZE BUCKET IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING COILS HAD BURST IN THE RADIATOR. CURRENTLY, ANTIFREEZE HAS SETTLED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED FOR A PRESSURE LEAK AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND ONE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET FAILED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 06/25/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/25/08

HAD ANTI-FREEZE IN THE OIL. PLASTIC INTAKE GASKET WAS BROKEN. I UNDERSTAND THIS OCCURS IN MANY 3.8 ENGINES. HAD TO HAVE NEW GASKET INSTALLED AT A COST OF ABOUT $700 DOLLARS. THE CAR IS A 1998 BUICK LASABRE. *TR

1998 BUICK LESABRE WITH CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO INTENTION OF SENDING OUT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM OR REIMBURSING THE CUSTOMERS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH CAUSED ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL. *JB

THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT NOR DID ANY OTHER LIGHT COME ON. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AS SMOOTH AS IT ALWAYS HAS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE ENGINE COOL. I SAW THE WATER WAS LOW SO I WENT INSIDE AND GOT WATER TO PUT IN IT. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE EXHAUST. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG BEFORE THEY CHECKED THE CAR BECAUSE THEY HAD HAD OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER REPLACING THE MANIFOLD, GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS, DEXCOOL, PIPE ASM, SEALS, THERMOSTAT, STARTER, OIL FILTER, OIL, THE CAR RAN AGAIN. OF COURSE, I WAS OUT $1049.27. THAT WAS 12 DAYS AGO. TONIGHT THE CAR BEGAN CLATTERING AND TOMORROW THE CAR WILL GO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR MORE REPAIR. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE LIFTERS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED BEFORE ALL THE TROUBLE BEGAN. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. *TR

MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE LTD, 73,943 MI,STARTED TO REQUIRE WATER TO BE ADDED TO THE OVERFLOW TANK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A GM GARAGE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER ENGINE AND OIL. THIS REPAIR COST$1200. TO CORRECT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND GM HAS TURNED IT'S HEAD TO THE ISSUE. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *TR

LEAKING FUEL SENDER AND CORRODED BRAKE LINES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED OUT OF CONTROL AND STALLED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000.