Model year record

1998 Buick Lesabre

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

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.

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.