1998 Buick Lesabre Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 4%of 400 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,635miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Buick Lesabre, 4% of the 400 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,635 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The consumer read an article which indicated that GM recall certain cars with power steering defects. The consumer's vehicle experienced similar power steering problems which required repair. The vehicle was out of warranty although the vehicle only had 35392 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10059445, filed 2004-02, 35,392 miles“Dt: the consumer's wife was driving on the street and the rear ball joints broke in half. The vehicle was placed on a roll back and taken to the dealer. This happened on september 6, 2005. The dealer replaced the ball joint on the rear left back. There was no fore-warning and no noise before this happened. Also the power steering bolts broke on two separate occasions, causing the power steering to drop off the engine block and fall down onto the frame making it almost impossible to steer the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10136360, filed 2005-09, 63,878 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10336913, filed 2010-06“My car, a '98 Lesabre, has a power assisted steering that is driven by a belt. The idler pulley disintegrated, the belt came off, and I had little steering. A person with less upper body strength would have lost control. I believe many unexplained accidents may be caused by this situation. Investigating officers would assume the belt was lost during the crash when the loss was actually the cause of the crash. A vehiclke that has a serpentine belt also loses power to the brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #10039367, filed 2003-09“When turning the steering wheel the wheel appears to click or knock. This begam shortly after I had the vehicle in to have the transmission repaired as it was shuddering after stopping and starting. I contacted the service people at the boise larry miller Buick place, where I had transmission fixed. I was told it was not serious and they would check it when I brought it in for service. But it concerns me, and I need to know if it is serious.”
NHTSA complaint #717021, filed 2000-01Related service bulletins
- 10012577Aug 1, 2003Revised steering wheel position sensor or steering shaft lower bearing replacement procedure and steering wheel position sensor centering procedure.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 5% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 29 | 9% |
| 2000 | 47 | 7% |
| 1999 | 8 | 4% |
| 1998 | 15 | 4% |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% |
| 1994 | 9 | 6% |
| 1993 | 8 | 4% |
| 1992 | 4 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 4 | 9% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1988 | 12 | 57% |
| 1987 | 15 | 38% |
| 1986 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1998 Buick Lesabre
196 complaintsFuel system
76 complaintsElectrical system
50 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 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 28, 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