My car is a 1999 buick la sabre with a 3.8l engine. July/20/2012 my car had 80,000 miles on it when my engine started to miss. When I got it looked at by my friend I was told there was coolant in the cylinders. The engine had problems with the intake plenum leaking coolant, because of the egr system. He then fixed the car. On november 20, 2014 my engine had 138,000 miles when it overheated on the highway. I found no coolant in the reservoir with coolant in the oil. When my friend looked at my car he said it was the plenum again, but this time the coolant in the oil may have wiped the main bearings. The overheating may have also warped the cylinder heads. He told me at the least there was damage done to the bearings. Being upset I looked online for information to find that this problem is common with that engine. Also that gm didn't acknowledge the problem. Has gm finally admitted to faulty manufacturing? Even if my car is fixed I no longer feel safe driving it. It may leave me on the road in winter someday with my young son. Or worse, stalling on the highway with loss of power steering. Can someone please help? I am a single mother going to college and money is tight.
1999 Buick Lesabre: sudden loss of power
7 of the 209 complaints about the 1999 Buick Lesabre describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 0
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
1998 lesabre stalled while driving on the highway. *ts the first time the vehicle stalled, the problem was diagnosed as a cracked cylinder head and damaged plenum. On another occasion, when the vehicle stalled, the mechanic forgot to reconnect the alternator. The dealer stated another reason why the vehicle stalled on one of several occasions, was because a crankshaft sensor had failed, but was not related to the previous problems, however later that day the vehicle stalled again. The serpentine belt failed, which caused the consumer to lose power steering.
While backing into a parking space, heard a loud noise and lost power steering. Power steering pump detached from where it was anchored. The two bolts that secured the pump were severed which caused the serpentine belt to come off. The two bolts were severed as if they had been cut with a saw.
While driving at highway speed the engine shut down causing lost of power steering. Dealer notified said the intake manifold cracked. Ts
While driving down mountain & had downshifted into 2nd gear, vehicle lost all power. Engine had stalled out. Had no control of vehicle. Power brakes & power steering was not working. Had to use emergency brakes to stop. Took vehicle to dealer & mechanic ran a diagnostic test. Could not locate cause of problem.
Vehicle experienced a complete loss of power, the oil pressure gauge came on and the engine stopped, the consumer turned off the ignition, restarted the engine and was able to restart the vehicle.
Possible computer problems caused oil pressure gauge light to illuminate, loss of power and caused the vehicle to stall.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Dealers may comment on a chuggle, surge, misfire condition
- New upper intake manifold and gasket kits
- New rear main seal and special tool for installation
- Engine intake manifold coolant leak
- Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak
- Voluntary emission campaign for vehicles with an obd-ii calibration that causes a false oxygen sensor...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1999 Buick Lesabre loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 1999 Buick Lesabre?
7 of 209 owner complaints about the 1999 Buick Lesabre (3%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Buick Lesabre?
There are 0 recalls and 8 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Buick Lesabre
Stalling 30Fire or smoke 14Check engine light 9Won't start 9Overheating 8Fuel smell 6Power steering loss 6Engine failure 5Sudden acceleration 5
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