The contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, an abnormal sound emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the upper intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- West Chester , PA, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. While attempting to start the vehicle, it exhibited a no-start condition. She replaced the battery and then smoke engulfed the front-end of the vehicle. A mechanic concluded that the intake manifold failed. She was in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The dealer was notified, yet no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileages were 99773. Updated 11/3/09 updated 11/06/09.

- Madison, MS, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that anti-freeze was leaking on the upper intake manifold. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system), although the failures were identical. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 115,366.

- Silverspring, MD, USA

: the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, there was a loud back fire heard which appeared to be near the intake manifold. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. Although the dealership was alerted, no repairs were made.

- Uncasville, CT, USA

Started car heard loud pop, white smoke, then flames - car caught fire - total loss.

- Seminole, FL, USA

There was an intake back fire when starting the engine. When taken to get serviced it was determined that the fire was caused by intake manifold. Recall campaign 96V116000:intake backfire during starting. Turned the ignition to start the car and heard a load noise. Then turned the ignition off and did not try again. Mechanic said luckily the car did not burn because there was gas on the engine. Mechanic called Buick, but they denied there was a problem and said the car was not covered.

- West Warwick, RI, USA

I have a 1997 Buick Lesabre. I had to have over $1600 in repairs done on the upper intake manifold, which a 1998 Lesabre has a recall on. Why, when the same problem exists on 1997 is it not recalled as well? it's a recurring problem to the point that they redesigned the manifolds (which caused me to have to replace the lower manifold). Two dealers mentioned this to be a common problem. I don't understand why the same problem is covered for a 1998 and not a 1997. My car only has 76,000 miles on it, work was preformed by a Buick/GMC dealer. Is there any way the recall can extend to one prior year?

- Satellite Beach, FL, USA

Consumer notice D white smoke and loss of coolant while driving 30 mph. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined a blown head gasket. Dealer was not notified.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

While driving vehicle commenced to run roughly. Vehicle was pulled over, and found coolant missing because of design defect in part caused fluid to be drawn into engine. This caused the 3engine to seize and an overhaul to be needed. Possible recall scrapped because problem was not a saftey issue. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed consumer that the upper manifold needed to be replaced.

- Boardman, OH, USA

Coolant leak at upper intake plenum on 1997 Buick at 68000 miles dealer stated that GM is aware of this problem but are not helping with cost of repairs.$633.64.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

While driving the vehicle it reached high temperatures due to the intake manifold failure. Coolant seeped inside the engine. The dealer indicated it will cost over $10,00. The independent shop will replace the intake manifold for half of the price. The consumer was in traffic when the vehicle ran rough and started missing. The service dealer diagnosed the problem as the egr (exhaust gas recirculation) valve/control solenoid. When the part was replaced, the service dealer found cracks in the intake manifold. Following this problem, the oxygen sensor that had previously been replaced, failed again. The consumer request that GM cover the repair costs. Recall# PE02050.

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

Parts where made with plastic, went bad and manufacturer is aware of problem. When pulling into traffic the vehicle almost stalled and almost caused an accident. The problem was with the plastic upper plenum manifold and gasket. The mechanic referred the consumer to a GM dealer with the service bulletin pertaining to the failure. GM refused to do anything about the problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The vehicle is leaking coolant. The dealer determined that upper intake manifold was fractured. The dealer recommends replacing it with a metal intake manifold.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

While starting and without prior warning vehicle blew up due to the plastic manifold attached to the top of the engine, overheating., smoke was visible inside the car. There were no injuries nor fatalities to report. Dealer was aware of the problem.

- Afton, NY, USA

Failure of the upper intake manifold permitted coolant to mix with engine lubricant and caused engine to seize. Engine must be replaced.

- Massapequa Park, NY, USA

I would like to complain about the fact that the NHTSA has so little concern for safety that you charge $38.73 per hour and other fees to obtain recall or service bulletins about ones vehicle. I am sure that this charge does exactly as desired by consumers just giving up. Your work load must be near zero which I am sure was the desire. If safety was the desire the information would be available for one to search for free. Is that not what the government web sites are for. I hope homeland security does not take after your site. It would appear that the vehicle cooling leaked into the engine due to a plastic intake manifold failure. Hard to believe a company would make it from plastic. I also believe if I had access to the infomation I would find that many other vehicles had the same failure and the manufacturer should bear responsibility.

- North Plainfield, NJ, USA

Engine coolant destroyed engine due to the degradation of upper intake mainifold materials around the egr stove pipe. Without warning(no warning lights went on) while on the road coolant entered the pistons through the degradated upper intake manifold and caused engine failure. This could have caused a major accident as power was lost and speed dramatically dropped. Seems to be obvious engine design flaw in 3800 V-6 engines produced by GM in Buick lasabres, riveras, regals, Oldsmobile 98S, 88S. Intrigue, Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix, & Chevrolet luminas, monte carlos over a period of years dating from 1995-1998 when they changed the manifold design. A service bulletin by GM #01-06-01-007A in July 18, 2001 indicated the GM is aware of defect and has since produced a different manifold to replace and repair problem but will not stand behind these engines when they fail without warning. GM has been uncooperative in this matter. All repairs to this car are documented with biliings, etc by certified GM service dept. Including oil changes and preventitive maintenance. This was a well maintained vehicle with a service history that can be documented. I have pictures of the inside of the engine where damage occurred.the GM service dept. That replaced damaged engine indicated that they had 3 other vehicles with the same engine damaged because of coolant leak through the degradation of the intake manifold in that one month time frame. This is a small dealership and they indicated that this was a indicator of a major problem with this component.

- Tyler, MN, USA

Upper intake manifold fractured. This is the second one in five years. The first was replaced under a recall per Buick rep okeesha smith.

- Foster, RI, USA

The upper and lower intake manifold cracked.

- North Versailles, PA, USA

NHTSA# 7843-96-V-116-000 single manifold intake. Backfire during starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold. Consumer states while driving the vehicle the plastic manifold took on fire and damaged the fuel injections rails.

- Plano, TX, USA