1998 Buick LESABRE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
345 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
69,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 173 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 51 of 345 complaints (14.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 55 | 15.9% |
| Braking behavior | 25 | 7.2% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 5.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 4.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 3.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 51 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 38 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 32 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 31 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 26 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 22 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 20 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 51; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 38; Engine And Engine Cooling: 32; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 31; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 26; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 22; Fuel System, Gasoline: 20; Electrical System: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 25 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 61 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 47 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 25; 50,000 to 74,999: 61; 75,000 to 99,999: 47; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (61). 172 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 36 |
| 2001 | 28 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2003 | 62 |
| 2004 | 97 |
| 2005 | 30 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 36; 2001: 28; 2002: 42; 2003: 62; 2004: 97; 2005: 30; 2006: 8; 2007: 5; 2008: 7; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 7; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 55 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000796 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WE PREFORMED A O&C ON A 1998 LASABRE FIRE, VERY MILD ENGINE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED AT THE FUEL RAIL FUEL INLET PORT AND WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR FUEL HOSE CONNECTOR. OWNER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, STATED A LOAD POP WAS NOTED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A FIRE STARTED. POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR OR METARIALS PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTOR AND CLIP.NOTED MUTIPLE COMPLAINTS IN NHTSA DATA BASE AS WELL AS AN INVESTAGATION. HOPE THIS HELPS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019630 · 2003-05-16 (May 16, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLED / ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. MR. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FUEL INJECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019740 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
VEHICLE FIRE/ VEHICLE DESTROYED. *MR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, PRIOR TO FIRE, VEHICLE WOULD SURGE THEN DIE OUT AT BOTH STOPS AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO ENGINE HAD A WHINING NOISE. DEALER REPLACED GENERATOR ASSEMBLY. FUEL FILTER ALSO REPLACED. CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. BRAKES MADE SQUEALING NOISE. REAR BRAKES CLEANED AND ADJUSTED. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR AFTER HOT AT STOPS. EXHAUST SYSTEM MISALIGNED. THE MIRROR COMPASS AND REAR WINDOW WERE ALSO INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO FIRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,914 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022234 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST COMPLETE P[OWER OF THE STEERING AND BRAKES. MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 58,297 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036861 · 2003-08-29 (August 29, 2003)
INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED ON MY 1998 BUICK LESABRE AT 77,000 MILES. PLASTIC MANIFOLD PERFORATED DUE TO EXHAUST GAS IMPINGING FROM EGR TUBE, FLOODING ENGINE WITH COOLANT AND CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL WITH SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 77,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053540 · 2004-01-07 (January 7, 2004)
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED TO STOP THE LEAK AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. DEALER, ON A PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, REPAIRED A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR. *AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071317 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS AFTER BEING ENGAGED FOR 24 MILES OR MORE . THIS HAPPENS AT START UP FROM A STANDING STOP(STOP SIGN ETC.) IT HAS HAPPEN ONLY 4 TIMES THIS YEAR. DEALER UNABLE TO SAY WHAT IS WRONG OR REPAIR NEEDED.HAS ANYONE GOT A IDEA WHAT IT IS?
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052401 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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 INTA…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,446 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054181 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ENGINE MANIFOLD UPPER INTAKE VALVE. *JB (MANIFOLD AND GASKETS MALFUNCTIONED) THE OIL PAN AND VALVE COVE WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS ALSO A FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEM. THE DEALER FOUND THE #4 CYLINDER MISFIRING WITH NO FUEL DROP. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007843 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
UPPER INTAKE PLENUM GASKET FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE CYLINDERS TO FILL WITH COOLANT AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL PARTS. POSSIBLE OTHER DAMAGE TO ENGINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008192 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
THE BATTERY WAS LOW, TRIED STARTING THE MOTOR A FEW TIMES IN THE MORNING. AFTER WAITING ALL DAY, CHARGED THE BATTERY BACK UP TO NORMAL AND STARTED THE CAR. A LOUD BANG AND FLASH WAS NOTED AND THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THERE WAS A BACK FIRE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IT EXPLODED CASUSING THE ENGINE TO CATCH FIRE. VISUAL DAMAGED CAUSED BY THE FIRE WAS TO THE FUEL LINE, AIR LINE AND WIRE HARNESS. VEHICLE IS 4.5 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 23,581 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008192 at NHTSA ↗