10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 48,322 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.
The consumer smelled gas in vehicle for quite some time but always disregarded as another passing vehicle or something else. About 2 weeks ago, the consumer discovered there was gasoline near the rear of the vehicle along the right rear tire and muffler. The consumer drove home and checked to see if it was leaking again, there was no leak at first. Later, within 20 minutes, 2 puddles formed from the gas leak. Took napkin and wiped, underneath near fuel lines but did not find any moisture. Was unable to determine as to where the leak originated from. Called a local dealership about the problem, who said they were unable to get it in the shop right away, but did say it was unsafe to drive with leak. Took vehicle to another dealer, who checked vehicle, and replaced a fuel sending unit, fuel tank, and fuel line. No leaks since the repairs. They informed consumer that the gas lines rusted and caused the leak.
- Parma, MI, USA
On Sunday, June 19, 2005 I noticed a puddle of gas under the rear-right side of my 1998 Buick Lesabre. On Monday, June 20, 2005 I took the car to the vyletel Buick dealer in sterling heights. They examined the car and informed me that the leak(s) were coming from cracks in the flexible fuel lines and these would have to be replaced. They did not have any explanation for what caused the cracks in these lines. The dealer also indicated that the sending unit in the tank would also need to be replaced since it's hard lines were excessively rusted and corroded and the new flexible lines would not be able to be secured. They also said that since this is all being done, the fuel pump should be replaced. The car is only 7 years old, and has been driven only 75, 600 miles under "normal" city driving conditions - no incidents of any damage anywhere on the car -including the undercarriage. So, it is completly unacceptable for this car to have cracked fuel lines - and all of the other related problems. This is a safty issue! the fuel leak was excessive and had I not noticed it, there is a high probability of a fire/explosion occuring. I spoke with a Buick customer service representative about this and he said that they would not repair the car at their cost since the car was beyond warrantly and this was not a recall issue. I reluctantly authorized to have the repairs done so that I could have my car back. The total cost to me was $892.34. Since the same type of parts (flexible fule lines, sending unit, fuel pump) have been used, I do not feel confident that the problem has been solved. Thank you for reviewing this situation.
- Sterling Heights, MI, USA
Received recall notice after problem occurred. Car backfire, caused intake manifold to crack causing problems. Recall number: 04V090000
- Portsmouth, OH, USA
Correction to oid id#10096015 with report date 10/20/2004: The model year info for Buick VIN #[xxx] was incorrect. The correct model year is 1998. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA
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.
- Houston, TX, USA
- New Haven, CT, USA