10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 5
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 45,473 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
When consumer started the vehicle, black smoke was noticed coming from the rear of vehicle. When the consumer pulled out into the traffic, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired.
- Colt, AR, USA
The check engine soon light had come on. The vehicle looked as if it was leaking coolant, however no coolant was found leaking. When the vehicle was taken to the repair shop, they found an internal leak. This was caused by the plastic plenum intake.
- Burton, MI, USA
On 07/21/03 my 1998 Buick Lesabre (VIN [xxx]), suddenly and without prior symptoms, began to run extremely rough and the engine stalled and was unable to be re-started. Fortunately, I was able to get off the road before the engine stalled. I am now saddled with a $2,000 repair bill all, apparently, as a result of the failure of the plastic GM plenum. The plenumS failure caused other failures within the engine (including, but not limited to, the ignition control module and the starter). According to the mechanic that serviced the vehicle, this is not uncommon in GM vehicles that utilize the plastic plenum. I would seek restitution from General Motors for what appears to be a historical and systemic failure of this plastic plenum resulting in extraordinary engine repairs. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Springfield, VA, USA
Consumer parked vehicle after driving with no signs of mechanical trouble. The consumer returned to car and attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the plastic intake manifold cracked, which caused coolant to leak, which resulted in engine failure.
- Lafayette, IN, USA
Vehicle fire/ vehicle destroyed. 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.
- Memphis, TN, USA
I purchased a '98 Buick Lesabre - from my brother-in_law, it only had 70,000 miles on it when the head gasket blew causing me to rebuild the top section of the motor--then after that was fixed and I drove the car for approximately 3 months more -- the bottom part of the engine blew--and I had to replace the complete engine not knowing what caused this problem. The car was always maintained by the dealership "boyle Buick" in bel air, md.
- Batimore, MD, USA
The plastic intake manifold melted inside the engine. The vehicle was missing and was smoking. New manifold and plug wires were added.
- Bridgeport, AL, USA
Car refuses to crank sometimes, wait 45 min-1 hour, then it will crank. Also, slowing down to stop and car just dies, refuses to crank, again wait 45 minutes - 1 hour and it will crank. This is happening every 2 weeks-1 month. I was told it was not firing, but could it be something to do with fuel system? dealer kept for 2 days and could find nothing wrong. Buick said they had not heard of this problem.
- Folkston, , GA, USA
The engine caught on fire.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
The engine caught on fire and burned some parts while vehicle was warming up.
- Capac, MI, USA
The vehicle was hard to start, consumer heard a pop noise, and the engine started to run rough. Consumer stated maybe a blown head gasket.
- Laurence, CA, USA
The engine failed.
- El Paso, TX, USA
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.
- Hanson, MA, USA
The vehicle would stall without warning. Dealer was aware of the problem. Ts consumer also had a problem with the starter not disengaging.
- Columbus, GA, USA
Consumer noticed the vehicle excessive antifreezer consumption every 300 miles, the reservoir was empty all the time. Dealer has been notified.
- Washingtonville, NY, USA
Engine in our car blew a head gasket, our mechanic said he has had to work on 4 additional cars the same model as ours, we feel this may be a problem, and that the engine should not fail at this particular milage.
- Bridgeport, TX, USA
When going down a steep hill and trying to brake vehicle shut off. Also, enginecheck light came on as though vehicle has overheated. A bulletin was given to owner by a park Ranger at mt. Washington. The bulletin was about a problem with the inertia switch.
- Midland, MI, USA
Serpentine belt flipped off pulley because crank pulley is bent at inner grove belt.
- Downey, CA, USA
While driving at 20-25 mph, going down hill, put the vehicle in first gear and the engine stalled. Contacted dealer, and tests were ran. Stated vehicle should have been stopped before changing gears. GMC contacted and cannot duplicate the problem.
- New Burn, NC, USA
- Gaffney, SC, USA