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1998 Buick Lesabre engine problems

204 complaints (51% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 69,017. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
204
of this car's complaints
51%
typical mileage
69,017
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    51
  • Engine
    40
  • Engine: gasoline
    39
  • Cooling system
    22
  • Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
    7
  • Exhaust system
    6
  • Cooling system: radiator assembly
    3
  • Cooling system: fan
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Buick Lesabre engine problems in other years

1990199520002006

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Buick Lesabre engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 61Check engine light 29Overheating 24Won't start 20Engine failure 19Loss of power 7Misfire 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Engine compartment firesOpened June 13, 2002, closed October 22, 2002

PE02050

What 1998 Buick Lesabre owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 15, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · 231,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 1998 Buick LeSabre. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V090000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and at various speeds, the engine started to misfire. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved code: P0300 (Multiple Random Cylinder Misfire). The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 231,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Aug 26, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 130,000 miles · MI

I recently purchased this vehicle used. Upon inspection, I discovered that the brake lines are severely corroded and require replacement. On further inspection, I discovered that the engine cradle, bushings, and fastening hardware are severely corroded as well. The rest of the vehicle is not corroded in any way, not even rust belt problem areas. From researching online (including other complaints on this website) both of these issues are common in late 90's gm w-body vehicles. How this has not elevated into a safety investigation by now is troubling to me. Ford was required to recall due to rusting brake lines...... Do people have to die for the nhsta to investigate?

Filed Nov 1, 2017 · Engine · 90,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine cradle was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The VIN was not included.

Filed Aug 3, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 106,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, once the vehicle reached the odometer mileage of 99,999, it failed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · AL

I came home after bible study on wednesday night and got up thursday then the security light went blinking. My husband had the key ignition replace then brought new key but car still wouldn't start so had the car towed and repaired. 10 months and three weeks the car did the same but I was driving this time and it shut down in the road with me and my children. It was frighten but we made it safely out of the road before anything happen. I don't understand that this problem occurred again . I am upset about the problem. A car has no business shutting off in the road while a person is driving it accident or no accident because it in danger peoples life. A serious problem for many people whom have these cars made by gm.

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Engine · 166,980 miles · NC

The first incident of the vehicle cutting off was at a stop light. The vehicle just cut off. The vehicle had to be put in park and the ignition was switched off and turned back on. The vehicle turned back on. The second incident occurred while driving at "45 MPH". The vehicle cut off and had no power steering. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road and then put in park. The vehicle turned back on with the ignition key. The second incident occurred while driving at "55 MPH". The vehicle cut off and had no power steering. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road and then put in park. The vehicle turned back on with the ignition key.

Filed Oct 9, 2012 · Engine · 86,240 miles · AR

The vehicle acted like it had a miss, the service engine light came on, flashing, then stopped flashing but remained on. I drove vehicle home, and the next morning it would not start. I had it towed to a shop and the mechanic said that it had hydro locked due to coolant dripping on the piston from a coolant leak at the intake manifold. This is not a cheap repair.

Filed Jul 23, 2012 · Engine · 61,502 miles · FL

1998 buick - lesabre ,the intake plenum had a hole in it because it got to hot,and antifreeze went into the block. Buick has had this engineering problem for a long time. No recall , it cost me $785.76 to have fixed. I want my money back. This is bs. There are 1000s of people that have this car. I have 61502 miles on this car. My mechanic said he has fixed atleast 30 over these problems with the buick-lesabre 1992 and up. Times are hard right now, I don't have his kind of money. I just don't want anyone else to come across this problem, with this engineering problem. Buick needs to call a recall on this problem before someone really gets hurt. Lets help each other out ,and call every news station,paper. And get it resolved.

Filed Oct 13, 2011 · Engine · NC

I have a 1998 buick lesabre. The car stopped when it was pulled into the garage and when I tried to start it again, it made a screeching sound. The car was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic advised the starter "exploded" because fluid was leaking from the pleneum into the cylinders and starter. The mechanic advised it would cost over $800.00 to repair.

Filed Apr 19, 2009 · Engine · 62,000 miles · MI

Here's what happened, the car started consuming dexcool antifreeze, but none was noticed leaking external to the engine. The upper intake manifold made of plastic apparently warped, and/or a hole burned in near the egr stove pipe, thus dumping antifreeze into the engine and hydrolocking the engine. Major problem, complete engine failure would not start or run. This car had been well maintained with both regular oil and coolant changes, the car has been adult driving . Cost to repair $450.00 for just upper intake, add another $450 for the lower intake as well.

Questions about the 1998 Buick Lesabre engine

Does the 1998 Buick Lesabre have engine problems?

Owners have filed 204 complaints about the engine of the 1998 Buick Lesabre, 51% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1998 Buick Lesabre engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 69,017 miles.

Is there a recall for the 1998 Buick Lesabre engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 1998 Buick Lesabre problems

Fuel system 76Electrical 50Brakes 26Transmission 21Steering 15Suspension 15Visibility 13Airbags 11Lights 5Seat belts 5Acceleration 4Body 4Seats 4Tires 4Driver assistance 1Locks 1Wheels 1

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