IllustrationCONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING WITH NO SIGNS OF MECHANICAL TROUBLE. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK, WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE. *AK *CB
1998 Buick Lesabre
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Lesabre years
Owner complaints for the 1998 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
90–25K
2525–50K
6150–75K
4775–100K
25100–150K
6150K+
173 reports with mileage · 227 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 196 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports42 fire reports7 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
196 reportsVEHICLE'S "PLENIUM" INTAKE VALVE (PART NO. 506CGM4) CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE.
ON 07/21/03 MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE (VIN [XXX]), SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR SYMPTOMS, BEGAN TO RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH AND THE ENGINE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RE-STARTED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. I AM NOW SADDLED WITH A $2,000 REPAIR BILL ALL, APPARENTLY, AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE…
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ON 07/21/03 MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE (VIN [XXX]), SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR SYMPTOMS, BEGAN TO RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH AND THE ENGINE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RE-STARTED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. I AM NOW SADDLED WITH A $2,000 REPAIR BILL ALL, APPARENTLY, AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC GM PLENUM. THE PLENUMS FAILURE CAUSED OTHER FAILURES WITHIN THE ENGINE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND THE STARTER). ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THAT SERVICED THE VEHICLE, THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON IN GM VEHICLES THAT UTILIZE THE PLASTIC PLENUM. I WOULD SEEK RESTITUTION FROM GENERAL MOTORS FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A HISTORICAL AND SYSTEMIC FAILURE OF THIS PLASTIC PLENUM RESULTING IN EXTRAORDINARY ENGINE REPAIRS.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE MANIFOLD AND GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD COOLANT WAS IMPROPERLY MIXING WITH MY OIL CAUSING BLACK SMOKE TO BE EMITTED FROM MY EXHAUST, THE CAR MISSING AND EVENTUALLY SEMI-LOCKING. THE LOCKING CAUSE THE CONE OF MY STARTER TO CRACK IN TWO WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START TO THE TUNE OF A $1,500. REPAIRFOR ALL. DEALER A…
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THE MANIFOLD AND GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD COOLANT WAS IMPROPERLY MIXING WITH MY OIL CAUSING BLACK SMOKE TO BE EMITTED FROM MY EXHAUST, THE CAR MISSING AND EVENTUALLY SEMI-LOCKING. THE LOCKING CAUSE THE CONE OF MY STARTER TO CRACK IN TWO WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START TO THE TUNE OF A $1,500. REPAIRFOR ALL. DEALER ACKOWLEDGED THEY HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THE INITIAL STATER REPLACED WAS DISCOVERED DEFECTIVE AND WAS AGAIN REPLACED ON JUNE 25, 2003. A COMPLAINT TO BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS FRUITLESS AND THEY WERE NOT SENSITIVE AT ALL TO THE PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED. *AK
AFTER OWNING THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS I NOTICED COOLANT TANK EMPTY, TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO CHARGED ME $342 FOR NEW WATER PUMP, STILL LOOSING COOLANT. COME TO FIND OUT AFTER A SLUDGE WAS FOUND IN ENGINE THAT INTAKE PLENUM WAS CRACKED ALLOWING COOLANT INTO CYLINDERS, DAMAGING THE BEARINGS AND NOW AM PAYING FOR A NEW MOTOR. G…
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AFTER OWNING THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS I NOTICED COOLANT TANK EMPTY, TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO CHARGED ME $342 FOR NEW WATER PUMP, STILL LOOSING COOLANT. COME TO FIND OUT AFTER A SLUDGE WAS FOUND IN ENGINE THAT INTAKE PLENUM WAS CRACKED ALLOWING COOLANT INTO CYLINDERS, DAMAGING THE BEARINGS AND NOW AM PAYING FOR A NEW MOTOR. GM DENIES PROBLEMS EXIST. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 50,000M MILES. *NLM
THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED ALONG WITH SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *MR *SCC
CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST COMPLETE P[OWER OF THE STEERING AND BRAKES. MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.*AK
THE VEHICLES INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND RESULTED IN A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *MR *TS *NLM
THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START CAR WHEN THE ENGINE BACKFIRED, THE MANIFOLD EXPLODED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *MR *TS *NLM
VEHICLE FIRE/ VEHICLE DESTROYED. *MR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, PRIOR TO FIRE, VEHICLE WOULD SURGE THEN DIE OUT AT BOTH STOPS AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO ENGINE HAD A WHINING NOISE. DEALER REPLACED GENERATOR ASSEMBLY. FUEL FILTER ALSO REPLACED. CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. BRAKES MADE SQUEALING NOISE. REAR BRAKES CLEANED AND…
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VEHICLE FIRE/ VEHICLE DESTROYED. *MR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, PRIOR TO FIRE, VEHICLE WOULD SURGE THEN DIE OUT AT BOTH STOPS AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO ENGINE HAD A WHINING NOISE. DEALER REPLACED GENERATOR ASSEMBLY. FUEL FILTER ALSO REPLACED. CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. BRAKES MADE SQUEALING NOISE. REAR BRAKES CLEANED AND ADJUSTED. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR AFTER HOT AT STOPS. EXHAUST SYSTEM MISALIGNED. THE MIRROR COMPASS AND REAR WINDOW WERE ALSO INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO FIRE. *TT
Official recalls
104V090000 · 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.
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.