1998 Buick Lesabre: won't start

20 of the 399 complaints about the 1998 Buick Lesabre describe won't start.

owner complaints: 20
of this car's complaints: 5%
typical mileage: 77,522
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2005
1
2004
3
2001
7
2000
7
1999
9
1998
20
1997
12
1994
2
1992
1
1990
1

What owners say

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 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 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.

Filed Jan 28, 2008 · Engine · 79,917 miles · IL

The engine light came on. The car was not running hot nor did any other light come on. The engine was running as smooth as it always has. I pulled into a parking lot and let the engine cool. I saw the water was low so I went inside and got water to put in it. I tried to start the car and the engine would not start. White smoke came from the exhaust. I had the car towed to a dealer. They knew what was wrong before they checked the car because they had had other customers with the same problem. After replacing the manifold, gaskets, spark plugs, dexcool, pipe asm, seals, thermostat, starter, oil filter, oil, the car ran again. Of course, I was out $1049.27. That was 12 days ago. Tonight the car began clattering and tomorrow the car will go back to the dealer for more repair. It sounds like the lifters need to be replaced. I believe this should have been recalled and repaired before all the trouble began. I want my money back.

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Engine · 54,150 miles · PA

Dt: when started vehicle and there was a backfire with a lot o smoke. Care would not start. Took vehicle to buick garage, and they said it was the intake manifold, and they repaired it. *ak *sb

Filed Dec 9, 2004 · Engine · 57,000 miles · MI

The vehicle failed to start after re-fueling. The engine cranked but wouldn't turn over. The dealership without inspecting the vehicle identified the intake plenum ( manifold) as the problem. There was a small hole which caused the oil to mix in with the water/ anti freeze. This part has been upgraded in the 2002 and later models. The plenum part #fh10095 manifold was replaced. *jb....

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Engine · 77,522 miles · OK

On january 2004 an independent repair shop replaced the intake manifold at consumer's expense of $1, 1000, five months later, the consumer received the federal safety agency recall #04v090000 which stated that vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. The manufacturer indicated to the consumer the recall was the fuel pressure no the intake manifold. However, the mechanic determined that a defective fuel pressure broke the intake manifold. *ak the was attempting to stall while in motion, when the vehicle reached home the vehicle died. The engine turned but did not start. The intake was leaking coolant into cylinders.

Filed Oct 1, 2004 · Engine · 76,787 miles · IL

1998 buick lesabre- check engine light went on, stopped at gas station,car would not start after stopping, intake manifold had failed, causing engine coolant to get iinto the engine, because the engine was locked up the starter also broke when trying to restart the car, was stranded 60 miles from home, to get towed and get car fixed cost over 2000.00 dollars. It seems the intake manifold has a defect.

Filed Aug 5, 2004 · Engine · CA

While driving engine light illuminated. Vehicle began running very hard and rough. Finally, engine shut down and would not start again. Consumer states due recall 04v090000 vehicle acts in this manner.

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Engine · 92,523 miles · MN

While driving on my way to work the vehicle started to slow and the engine light came on. I pulled over and attempted to start the car and the engine would not turn over. I called my auto club for a tow and the car was towed to a connoco station in park rapids. They immediatly knew what the problem was, stating they see a lot of the 3800 engines do this. The intake plenum rotted away allowing coolant to fill a cylinder and stall the engine. Gm has issued a service bullitin for the problem, but no recall. This could be a major safety concern with loss of power to the engine the steering and brakes will not function as they should.

Filed Apr 21, 2004 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · MI · fire

After starting the vehicle, a fire started in the engine compartment. The consumer managed to exit the vehicle. *ak there was no warning light. The key was turned to start the engine when the backfire occurred. The service dealer used the old parts that were damaged to repair the vehicle. After the repair, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle needed a new engine from the fire. (the coolant had leaked into the cylinder and caused it to leak) recall#04v090000 the consumer requested reimbursement. *sc

Filed Apr 14, 2004 · Engine · 101,000 miles · TX

1998 buick lesabre stalled at a stoplight and wouldn't start. After having the problem diagnosed and the intake manifold removed, water was discovered in the intake and in the cylinders.