1998 Buick Lesabre Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 76about this part
- Share
- 19%of 400 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,755miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 76 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Buick Lesabre, 19% of the 400 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,755 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10315194, filed 2010-03, 24,581 miles“Nhtsa #: 04v090000 - I own a 1998 Buick Lesabre 3.8l. On 9/27/02 I had a hard starting and stalling problem, taken for service at GM dealer and fuel regulator was replaced. In august 2004 was notified of the recall and took vehicle back to GM dealer to assure the recalled part was not in the car. The dealer told us the car does run a little rough (noted on work order) but the correct regulator was in the vehicle don't worry about it. On october 10,2004 we started having trouble starting the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10096297, filed 2004-10, 50,295 miles“We were the second owner for this vehicle. The original owner purchased the vehicle at a different dealership. When we purchased the vehicle it had around 42,000 miles. After purchase, we experienced an extended crank before the vehicle started that worsened, so on november 25, 2003, my husband and I took the vehicle to the dealership where the vehicle was originally purchased and they did the following: they noted that the fuel pressure regulator and the upper intake manifold was leaking. They replaced the fuel pressure regulator and intake manifold. …”
NHTSA complaint #10052401, filed 2004-01, 43,446 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10523570, filed 2013-07, 163,885 milesRelated recalls
- 04V090000Feb 24, 2004On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual…Covers: Buick Lesabre 1998–2000, Pontiac Bonneville 1998–2000, Buick Park Avenue 1998–2000 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10137901May 9, 2014This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 13 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 5% |
| 2000 | 60 | 9% |
| 1999 | 28 | 13% |
| 1998 | 76 | 19% |
| 1997 | 40 | 10% |
| 1996 | 7 | 7% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
| 1994 | 3 | 2% |
| 1993 | 5 | 3% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 6 | 13% |
| 1989 | 4 | 15% |
| 1987 | 3 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1998 Buick Lesabre
196 complaintsElectrical system
50 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Buick Lesabre
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology