2001 Buick Lesabre Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 6%of 328 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 138,732miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Buick Lesabre, 6% of the 328 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 138,732 miles. 13 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There was an oil smell while my car was running and the passenger side of the defrost stopped working. I took the vehicle into my mechanic. My mechanic told me that there was a lot of oil leaking onto the engine and it was not safe to drive it until this leak was fixed. I left the car at his shop while the parts were ordered. …”
NHTSA complaint #10924380, filed 2016-11, 144,000 miles“I went out to start the car to go to work and I heard a backfire, my husband came out wondering what that bang was. Smoke started coming out from the hood. He popped the hood to see what the problem was and flames came shooting out from under the hood. He closed the hood to smother the fire, we had to call the fire department' to put the fire out. The car is a total loss. Now we are without a car. Now what!!!! This car was well maintained and great working order before this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10968566, filed 2017-03, 145,000 miles“Engine of my 2001 Buick le sabre, v6, 3800 engine, caught fire after an oil change and short drive home. Authorized mechanic diagnosed it as engine oil leaked out of gasket and on top of exhaust manifold, triggering a fire that quickly melted the plastic wire harness cover and started burning through the wires. I caught the fire early as it was in my driveway and I had a fire extinguisher but fire was spreading quickly. I am unable to afford the repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10659374, filed 2014-11, 240,000 miles“Our Buick had been running fine, but went to move it one morning. With a cold engine, as soon as we hit the starter, the engine exploded very loudly and started burning. After the fire was put out, it was determined that the entire intake manifold, along with the fuel lines had exploded in many pieces. From internet research, it was found that the fuel pressure regulator had a recall for vehicle years '98-'00, which these models had the same condition. Had I had the hood open at the time, I'd probably been hurt by flying chunks from the intake manifold. …”
NHTSA complaint #10836872, filed 2016-02, 250,000 miles“Engine will shut off upon exelleration at highway speeds between 45 - 55mph. And became more frequent over time at lower speeds. Was able to restart vehicle after sitting a couple of minutes from the start of the problem. But over time, it became more frequent and harder to restart with each incident. I've taken it to 1-dealer and 2-shops for diagnostic but, they could find nothing. I parked the car for a couple of months. Went out to start it one morning and it back fired with lots of black smoke coming from under the hood. Always stayed on maintenance schedule and the car runs like a champ! …”
NHTSA complaint #10721195, filed 2015-05, 72,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 8 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 5% |
| 2001 | 19 | 6% |
| 2000 | 18 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 2% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 10 | 3% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2001 Buick Lesabre
101 complaintsBody and structure
50 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSeats
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Buick Lesabre
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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