Ltr fwd fm cpsc complaint re his 1998 buick lesabre, he took car in for a recall, and now the car is more dangerous than before gm "repaired" it.*mr after the vehicles recall repairs were made it leaked fuel vapors and stalled.
1998 Buick Lesabre fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt: the contact took h car to dealer for a recall 04v090000 repairs almost one year ago in august, 2004. He received the recall notice in june, 2004, and the car was repaired on 9-28-04. They damaged the car on the outside and also under the hood. The rear tail light was broken and there was a scratch under the front left headlight. They put red tape over the headlight. The accelerator stuck and the car stalled. This problem immediately followed the recall repairs within one day. The dealer denied anything wrong was done. The recall was in regard to a fuel regulator. As soon as the car returned to the contact it shut off. Recently, the accelerator stuck, and the contact smelled a fuel/exhaust odor that was very strong. The check engine light stayed on n. . He talked to gm on 11-12-04, and they informed him that they had notified the dealer about the damage, and for him to take the car to dealer for repairs. When he took the car to dealer the dealer was mad and refused to fix the car.
Dt: the contact states that fuel supply line rusted and gasoline was leaking . The contact smelled gasoline for at least three weeks, but she put down a piece of cardboard under the car and she picked it up and smelled it. The mechanic said it was the fuel server and that the wires were rusted. The part to fix the vehicle was the fuel server located inside the gasoline tank.
Dt: 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.
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.
1998 buick lesabre became inoperative and smoke came out of the tailpipe.*mr a small fire emitted form the rear of the truck. The consumer smelled gas for months prior to the incident. The consumer had the fuel pump and filter replaced thinking it would remedy the problem. Recall 04v090000 was issued for this vehicle.
No injuries. Engine stops or stalls at various times. Nothing has been done to correct the problem.
1998 buick lesabre had the intake manifold replaced. The consumer's claim for a refund for repairs was not approved. *mr the consumer had turned left onto a loop and started to accelerate when the engine started to miss and make noises. The consumer pulled over and viewed a lot of water under the engine. The consumer felt that he should be reimbursed for the replacement of the spark plugs that were damaged when the water flooded into the block and or the ruptured plastic intake manifold. Refer to recall campaign#04v090000. The horn would go off when the horn pad was bumped or when the interior of the vehicle became' hot. *sc the manufacturer wrote the consumer a letter which stated the part that was replaced on the vehicle was not covered under the recall.
1998 buick lesabre experiencing problems with fuel pressure regulator part that was installed during a recall. *mr recall campaign# 04v090000. *sc the manufacturer would not pay for the repairs because the consumer did not have the repairs made at a dealership.
Car had been hard to start for a while. On day of incident, when starting the vehicle, a backfire occurred and smoke rolled out from under the hood. Within minutes, a fire started, completely destroying the vehicle.
Loss of coolant. The plastic intake plenum got a hole in it. This filled the engine with coolant thus causing the car to stall on the highway. I had the defective part replaced at a cost of 900 dollars. I still have the defective part. I'm retired, so this put a strain on our budget. Thank you.
The fuel pressure regulator failed and ruined the intake manifold. At low mileage the wheel bearings were replaced. *bf recall#04v090000
Vehicle returned for inspection with regard to 04v090 12/13/04 complaints poor performance, fuel economy, hard starting, and use of dexcool anti-freeze since recall performed. Decool anti-freeze entering the intake manifold of engine, and engine oiling system from failure or rupture of upper intake plenum near egr passage. Anti-freeze has filled engine lifters causing noise/failure, filling combustion chamber causing hydro-locking of engine, could cause catastrophic failure of engine resulting in possible fire or accident. Dealer refused to repair under 04v090 manifold over pressure condition stated replacement of upper & lower intake, lifter, plugs, oil, anti-freeze at a cost of $1,150 on vehicle that had 77,827 when the recall was done, and now has 80,407 mi. Which is less then 3,000. This could very well have hydro-locked the engine at freeway speed,or caused catastrophic failure resulting in severe damage, injury, and possible fire from engine oil & fuel hitting the hot catalytic converter!
After the fuel pressure regulator recall 04v090000 was performed the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of antifreeze and oil. The part #8901 7530 regulator was replaced. Also the check engine light illuminated and when the vehicle was started there was a loud noise from under the hood. The noise sounded as if the engine was going to exploded. The dealership has been notified.
Replaced upper intake plenum seals and gaskets, engine oil and filter, spark plugs and wire set. Installed fuel filter, starter would not turn off (stuck on), replaced it. *bf the vehicle stalled in heavy traffic. The problem was determined to be a ruptured intake manifold that caused water to flood the engine. The consumer requested reimbursement. Recall# 04v090000. *sc
Received recall notice after problem occurred. Car backfire, caused intake manifold to crack causing problems. *bf recall number: 04v090000
When starting the vehicle there was a loud bang. *nm campaign id number : 04v090000 when the consumer attemted to start the vehicle he heard a loud bang and saw smoke. The engine refused to start. The service manager told the consumer that the manifold was worn and needed to be replaced. The consumer would like to be reimbursed for 1435.31 the cost of the repair.
Writer submitted reimbursement information to general motors (gm) owner of a buick lesabre vehicle. Recalled defective fuel pressure regulator. *bf the manufacturer only reimbursed the consumer a small amount of the total repair expense.
The federal safety agency #: 04v090000 - I own a 1998 buick lesabre 3.8l. On 9/27/02 I had a hard starting and stalling problem, taken for service at gm dealer and fuel regulator was replaced. In august 2004 was notified of the recall and took vehicle back to gm dealer to assure the recalled part was not in the car. The dealer told us the car does run a little rough (noted on work order) but the correct regulator was in the vehicle don't worry about it. On october 10,2004 we started having trouble starting the car. On october 11 we made an appointment to take the vehicle in for service on october 18, 2004 to an independent service shop. On thursday october 14, 2004 and friday october 15, 2004 the car stalled once each day when moving in traffic at a very slow speed. On sunday october 17, 2004 while my wife was following me to drop the car off at the repair shop, the car again stalled. She put the car in neutral and restarted the car. When the car started it jumped forward and she struck the back of my truck. The repair shop found the fuel regulator to be leaking fuel into the vacuum hose and into the exhaust manifold. This was the part that according to the gm dealer was not part of the recall on august 11, 2004. The end result is there is $3000.00 damage to the lesabre, non to by truck. My back is slightly sore but of greater concern is the seat belt did not lock on the buick and my wife struck her chest on the steering wheel hard enough to have bruising in the outline of part of the steering wheel on her chest. In summary Im concerned about the 1.) fuel regulator, 2.) the car jumping and 3.) the seat belt not locking.
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. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Recall for fuel regulator and intake manifold problems . *bf the consumer received a recall letter regarding the problem, however the consumer had already experienced the problem prior to receiving the recall and had already had the regulator and intake manifold replaced. The manufacturer refused to pay for the manifold, they stated it was not ruptured, but it was warped and needed to be repalced. The manufacturer sent the consumer a check for a 127.40, but the consumer believed he was entilted to the remaining portion of 374.98.
Defective fuel pressure regulator caused damaged . *bf oil leaked due to manifold wear. There was a loud bang and the warning lights had come on. The consumer requested reimbursement. Recall# 04v090000. *sc the consumer received the recall letter after she had already paid for the repairs.
The consumer received recall 04v090000. The engine light illuminated after starting the vehicle. The dealership was, notified, but did not resolve the problem because parts were not available. Bob saks, 248‑478‑0500. *ak
Reimbursement request for 1998 buick lesabre recall.*mr the consumer received a recall letter for their vehicle july 2, 2004. Recall #(04v090000 ) regarding fuel pressure regulators. The consumer believed that the repairs done on the vehicle was related to the recall. The consumer reported that when the vehicle was started a grinding noise was heard. Dealer replaced starter assembly.
Engine backfiring on 1998 buick lesabre. *mr recall# 04v090000. The heater failed and the consumer was informed that a water pump was needed. The engine also died with less than 100k miles. The consumer requested reimbursement. *sc
Reimbursement request for intake manifold replacement.*mr the vehicle fuel regulator failed and caused the manifold to rupture. The consumer later received a recall notice and request reimbursement n the amount of $1438.06. The consumer only received reimbursement in the amount of $160.17 for the regulators. The consumer feels that since the regulators caused the manifold to rupture that the manufacturer should reimburse him for them as well.
Problems with fuel pressure regulator on 1998 buick lesabre.*mr the fuel pressure regulator was replaced in accordance with recall v1082. While driving the vehicle stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer where it was deterrmined that the upper intake manifold had failed and coolant was flowing into the cylinders. The consumer feels the manifold should have been recalled and request reimbursement.
Problems regarding a 1998 buick lesabre. *mr recall# 04v090000. The vehicle had been to the dealers three times. The fuel regulator was replaced. The vehicle died while the vehicle was in motion, the battery cable was loose and the PCM needed calibrating, and the starter was bad. *sc
Complaint regarding a repair invoice bucs38787. *mr the consumer stated that gm decided that burning a hole through the intake that was driven 69k miles was normal maintenance and was not eligible for any responsibility or adjustment by gm. *sc
Request for reimbursement regarding services performed on vehicle. *mr recall# 04v090000. The vehicle died at intersections and was slugglish due to a possible fuel problem. *sc (daughter on behalf of mother ruby tyner) the consumer had over $300.00 worth of repairs done beforer she received the recall notice.
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