Model year record

1998 Buick Lesabre

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 518 owner complaints on file.

Buick Lesabre, 1992–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1999 generation. Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V090000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
910,873
Reported to NHTSA
2004-02-24
Owners notified
2004-06-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5486,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe5169,017 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine4066,728 mi
Engine and engine cooling3262,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2669,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2265,773 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2182,000 mi
Electrical system1583,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator14102,116 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system11—
Power train: automatic transmission1158,000 mi
Unknown or other1162,363 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly935,657 mi
Engine8106,000 mi
Air bags: frontal740,050 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)723,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip761,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system666,506 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings663,122 mi
Suspension681,958 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders525,697 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system535,392 mi
Tires532,739 mi
Air bags440,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan4—
Power train498,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission4—
Suspension: rear463,878 mi
Electrical system: ignition3—
Electrical system: ignition: module3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly381,725 mi
Equipment333,914 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3—
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system382,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Service brakes, hydraulic350,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings393,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Steering: rack and pinion3—
Vehicle speed control350,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: horn2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch279,160 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Exterior lighting: headlights2111,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system277,827 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Interior lighting268,000 mi
Service brakes2130,000 mi
Steering263,878 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut280,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear245,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls233,914 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1176,887 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1111,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal166,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Fuel/propulsion system1163,885 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: driveline1—
Seat belts142,000 mi
Seat belts: front150,295 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure1119,000 mi
Structure: body1148,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1119,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—
Wheels1—

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Buick Lesabre model years

All Buick Lesabre recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.