This will be 4th time intake manifold gasket is being replaced. By far the worst & most expensive used car ever to own. Gm's black eye.
1997 Buick Lesabre engine complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 120, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*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 *cn updated 11/06/09.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. When the contact started the vehicle, it sputtered, jumped, backfired, and shut off. The vehicle emitted a large amount of fumes and smelled of gasoline. She noticed that the catalytic converter was orange and had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. The mechanic stated that the ignition module needed to be replaced. The module was replaced, but only lasted five days. The failure recurred and the mechanic towed her vehicle to the shop. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in a recall; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 172,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact smelled a very strong odor of gasoline. In addition, the steering wheel would shake while driving at any speed. While performing a routine inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed that half of the radiator fluid was missing. He added more radiator fluid and noticed that fluid continue to disappear in the vehicle every four days. After numerous refills of radiator fluid, he took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the upper intake manifold needed to be replaced. In addition, the water pump needed to be replaced and the main gas line was leaking, which caused the strong odor. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The contact believes that the vehicle should be included in the recall. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 153,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. When the contact placed the key into the ignition and attempted to start the vehicle, the engine exploded with a very loud noise. He shut off the vehicle and checked the engine. When he opened the hood, he noticed that the intake manifold and the engine cover were shattered into many pieces. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that he never saw a vehicle with this type of defect. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The contact believes that the vehicle should be included in the recall since the failures are identical. The vehicle is still at the shop and has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 13,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and no warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. When the vehicle finally started, it backfired. Once the contact arrived home, he looked under the hood and noticed that the coolant was low. The dealer stated that the repair would cost approximately $600 and that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 93,500 and current mileage was 93,525.
Tl*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 the federal safety agency 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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. While approaching a stop, the contact smelled antifreeze and noticed that the temperature gauge on the instrument panel was becoming hotter. He then noticed steam under the hood, which eventually LED to the vehicle shutting off. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 99,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The driver noticed that the vehicle started to smoke. The fire department was notified. The vehicle was consumed with fire and was totaled. The contact believed that the fire originated under the hood. There were no injuries. The purchase date was not available. The current and failure mileages were about 95,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. While driving at any speed, the vehicle shuts off and has to be restarted. The contact also stated that the vehicle caught fire under the hood. All passengers exited the vehicle safely and without injury. The vehicle has been to a service station on two separate occasions, but the failure still persists. The vehicle is no longer able to be driven. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 177,339 and failure mileage was 173,384. Updated 02-01-08. *kb updated 02/01/08
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. While driving 10 MPH, the contact heard a noise and lost control of the steering. There were no warning indicators. The vehicle was towed and the dealer stated that the cause of failure was due to the engine mounting carriage disassembling from the vehicle. The manufacturer will not perform the repair free of charge due to the vehicle's age and mileage. The purchase date and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 167,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle overheated and was maneuvered off the road on two occasions on the same day. The vehicle was turned off to cool down, while water and anti-freeze was added to the radiator. After the second occurrence, the vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who replaced the plenum.
Two complete sets of brakes since october 2005 intake manifold leaks, both very costly.
Dt*: 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.
Started car heard loud pop, white smoke, then flames - car caught fire - total loss.
Dt: while driving 30 MPH the check engine light came and the engine overheated. This was the first incident of this type. The contact owns a buick lesabre that has a plastic intake called a plenum. This device cracked and allowed engine coolant to be mixed with the oil. This caused a vapor lock. Now, two of the cylinders show zero compression, and a third shows a pressure of 60 pounds. The engine was totaled and must be replaced. Vehicle was towed to an automobile repair shop, and the mechanic made these terminations. The contact was referred to a buick dealer, who said they do not feel that this was a manufacturing defect. At this time, no repairs or corrections have been made.
Dt: the consumer's 1997 buick lesabre had blown a piston. The consumer was driving the vehicle at 30-35 MPH. The vehicle had been regularly maintained with oil changes. The vehicle had not been repaired. The consumer planned on taking the vehicle to an independent repair shop. *sc
1997 buick lesabre backfires at startup, engine light illuminates, and the vehicle stalls without warning. *mr there was a whining noise when the vehicle was started and rear brake noise was intermittent. The consumer requested info in reference to warranties related to his make/model. *sc
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.*ak 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.
Gasket and egr tube failure causing plenum and upper intake leakaage causing "hydro-lock'.
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?
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.*ak
While driving the intake manifold and gasket failed which caused the vehicle to stop running. *nm the consumer believed the failure was clearly an inferior designed part.
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.
1997 buick le sabre engine shuddered then stopped.
Had this plastic maifold warp at highway speed with fluid coming out on to the road and belt failure possibly because of rupture ,you have a safety hazard. *ak
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle, but was unable to do so. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
The mechanic noticed a leak in the upper plenum manifold. Upon performing a routine service, the upper plenum manifold was leaking antifreeze into the engine. The antifreeze was mixing with the engine oil. This would have resulted in the engine seizing up if the leaked had gone unnoticed. The dealership is going to replace the plenum manifold with a newer designed manifold. The engine is a 3800 series.
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 $1.000,00. The independent shop will replace the intake manifold for half of the price. *ak 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.
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.
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