1998 Buick Lesabre Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe coolant loss that turns out to come from the plastic upper intake manifold or its gaskets on the 3.8-liter V6, sometimes ending in a no-start or engine replacement. A second, smaller group reports stalling or no-start conditions and fuel odors or leaks near the rear of the car, and a few describe ignition-key or security-related no-starts. Many complaints were filed between roughly 50,000 and 90,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss from cracked or melted intake manifold

   • 112 complaints (28%)
   • median 66,139 mi at 6.3 yrs old (82 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $879 (median of 23 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2012

   Owners describe the coolant reservoir dropping with no puddle visible underneath, then overheating, rough running, white smoke from the exhaust, or a no-start. Mechanics and dealers reportedly found the plastic upper intake manifold cracked, warped or holed near the EGR passage, letting coolant into the cylinders and sometimes hydrolocking the engine; several report the manifold and gaskets being replaced, in some cases along with plugs, oil and a starter damaged by repeated cranking. Complaints also describe being told the repair was not covered after warranty, and some mention a lower intake manifold gasket leaking as well. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 90,000 miles, often noticed first as coolant consumption on a maintained car.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for crusty residue or dampness at the throttle-body end of the upper intake; ask for service records showing whether the intake manifold and gaskets were replaced, and whether an updated gasket was used.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10479453, filed 2012-10, 86,240 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10023752, filed 2003-06, 50,350 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Stalling, no-start and intermittent engine cut-out

   • 96 complaints (24%)
   • median 76,893 mi at 6.6 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,049 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2014

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning at stops or at speed, sometimes with the check engine light on, and later restarting normally or failing to crank at all. Several say dealers or shops could not reproduce or find the fault, while others report a failed fuel pressure regulator, a cracked manifold or a starter replaced without solving the no-start. Some note the loss of power steering and brakes when the engine cuts out. Scattered across the sample from low mileage up to well past 100,000 miles, with no single pattern described.

   Recall 04V0900002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pressure regulator recall work was completed and whether the fuel pump, filter or ignition switch have been replaced; have a shop check for stored engine codes and test-start the car cold and warm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “98 Buick Lesabre. 3.8 driving up hill, down hill, coasting, it doesn't matter. 1 or 2 times a week the engine just dies. Sometimes I can catch it full throttle and it will pick up and run fine. Or throw it in on the fly and restart instantly. New fuel pump and filter usually starts good. Some times I have to stop cranking it after 5 sec 1,2,3 times before it starts. This only happens 1 time every week or two. I can't let anyone else drive the car for fear they will pull out in front of a truck and the car will quit.”

   NHTSA complaint #10184631, filed 2007-03, 100,000 miles

   “Consumer states that while driving, the vehicle would stall and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified. The vehicle started to loose speed pulled into gas station. The vehicle start again. Gm was aware of the problem. The consumers friend had experienced the same problem with the replacement of the manifold gaskets. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the manifold and the starter.”

   NHTSA complaint #10031690, filed 2003-08, 70,731 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell or leak near the fuel lines and tank

   • 68 complaints (17%)
   • median 69,269 mi at 7.0 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,150 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2023

   Owners report a gasoline smell around the car and, in some cases, puddles of fuel under the rear or right rear of the vehicle near the tire and muffler. Complaints describe work on the fuel pressure regulator under the recall, and in other cases replacement of cracked flexible fuel lines and a rusted sending unit on the tank; some owners describe a backfire or an explosion in the engine compartment on start-up that was traced to the regulator. Several mention reimbursement requests after paying for the repair themselves. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 85,000 miles, and some complaints arrived years after the recall notice.

   Recall 04V090000

   What to check: Ask for proof that recall 04V090000 was performed and check the fuel lines and tank area at the rear for dampness, rust or a fuel smell after the car has sat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On sunday, june 19, 2005 I noticed a puddle of gas under the rear-right side of my 1998 Buick Lesabre. On monday, june 20, 2005 I took the car to the vyletel Buick dealer in sterling heights. They examined the car and informed me that the leak(s) were coming from cracks in the flexible fuel lines and these would have to be replaced. They did not have any explanation for what caused the cracks in these lines. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10126485, filed 2005-06, 75,683 miles

   “Reimbursement request for 1998 Buick Lesabre recall. The consumer received a recall letter for their vehicle july 2, 2004. Recall #(04v090000 ) regarding fuel pressure regulators. The consumer believed that the repairs done on the vehicle was related to the recall. The consumer reported that when the vehicle was started a grinding noise was heard. Dealer replaced starter assembly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10091769, filed 2004-09, 35,657 miles

Buying note. On this model year the intake manifold and coolant system deserve the most attention, so check coolant level and repair records carefully before buying. The fuel pressure regulator recall and the condition of the brake and fuel lines are also worth confirming.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.