Intake manifold failed water leaked internally into combustion chamber causing hydrolocking of engine. Upon researching causative actions I find that general motors is aware of this defect and has redesigned the faulty parts but disavow any culpability even though a conscientious owner who properly maintains the vehicle cannot know what is transpiring inside a composite materials intake manifold,many have been known to burst into a fire and destroy the vehicles. One would tend to believe this to be a significant safety threat that should be addressed in a recall to replace this recognized failure of significant numbers,I that would warrant manufacturers replacement to provide safe transportation. By the grace of god I noted the vehicle acting up and returned home just as the engine quit and now is hydrolocking due to coolant filling combustion cylinders.
1997 Buick Lesabre fuel system problems
40 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 81,000.
- owner complaints
- 40
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 81,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Fuel injection system12
- Carburetor system12
- Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
- Delivery: fuel pump1
- Delivery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Buick Lesabre fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Buick Lesabre fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
- Risk
- This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.
Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA02030
What 1997 Buick Lesabre owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The brakes make a strange sound sometimes & stall;gas leak;undercarriage is weak.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lasabre. The contact stated that the intake manifold was cracked causing the oil to leak into the radiator. The engine ran rough and backfired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the upper intake manifold was cracked and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified who stated there was a recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000 and the current mileage was 49,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. While starting the vehicle, it suddenly backfired and would not start. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called the dealer and referenced recall 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system) but was told that there was no record of the recall. The manufacturer also stated there was no recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 146,874.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a coolant leak. An authorized dealer stated that they needed to remove the engine in order to repair the coolant leak. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The contact stated that the failure recurred and began to stall only in the morning. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure after two attempts. The vehicle was take to a local mechanic who stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact paid $850 to have the vehicle repaired and was still experiencing the failure. The contact also had the vehicle inspected by a third mechanic who also stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,844. The current mileage was 58,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. When the contact started the vehicle, he heard a loud noise. After examining the vehicle, he discovered that the intake manifold failed. The contact called the dealer who stated that there were no related recalls. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in recall 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system) and that they would not offer any assistance with the expenses. The vehicle will be repaired when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were 66,212.
After months of dealing with no start of my vehicle know my manifold needs replaced I've contacted buick and they say my VIN is not with the VIN included with the recall I don't under stand im lost I've tried getting help with this situation and I will write buick and everything but this is a manufacturers default that has not been corrected on my vehicle.
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. She smelled a strong gasoline odor emanating from her vehicle. The dealers technician stated that she would have to replace the fuel lines at an expense exceeding $350.00. The vehicle was not repaired. She will speak with the manufacturer to determine if her vehicle was included in recall#96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 71,000 and the current mileage was 72,000.
Questions about the 1997 Buick Lesabre fuel system
Does the 1997 Buick Lesabre have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Lesabre fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 81,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Buick Lesabre fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 96V116000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Buick Lesabre have the most fuel system problems?
The Buick Lesabre model years with the most fuel system complaints are 1998 (76 complaints), 2000 (60 complaints) and 1997 (40 complaints).
Other 1997 Buick Lesabre problems
Engine 120Electrical 42Brakes 36Airbags 33Transmission 33Visibility 29Steering 25Seat belts 21Suspension 20Body 17Tires 15Acceleration 12Locks 11Lights 8Seats 2Wheels 2
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