1999 Buick Lesabre: engine overheating

8 of the 209 complaints about the 1999 Buick Lesabre describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 80,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2005
1
2004
3
2003
4
2002
2
2001
4
2000
8
1999
8
1998
24
1997
12
1996
2
1994
2
1993
2
1992
2

What owners say

Filed Dec 10, 2014 · Engine · 80,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed Nov 27, 2010 · Engine · 94,735 miles · PA

Car was getting harder to start each time- red light (overheating) came on while on a trip- added 4 + qts of water- drove 15 miles- car would not start--added 3 + qts of water--tried several things to try to start--noticed oil level was up-- assumed coolant went into engine- removed 3 front spark plugs--coolant ran out of spark plug openings- car was towed 60 miles- intake manifold (warped), gaskets, & thermostat were replaced- starter replaced due to broken housing (from attempting to start water logged engine)- total expense approx $ 1,000

Filed Jul 11, 2007 · Engine · NY

1998 buick lesabre. Consumer states that the upper manifold plenum which buick changed to plastic overheated and melted causing a hole which allowed antifreeze to combine with the oil. *mc

Filed Jul 8, 2004 · Engine · 55,267 miles · IL

Noticed coolant leak. Inspection by buick dealer service department found coolant going into intake manifold. Intake manifold & gaskets needed replacement.

Filed Apr 7, 2004 · Engine · IN

While parking consumer noticed coolant leaking from underneath the vehicle. Consumer started up the vehicle and engine check light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that valve gasket needed to be replaced due to a worn out part.

Filed Jan 22, 2004 · Engine · 64,200 miles · FL

After some local driving and being parked, car produced cloud of exhaust smoke and then would not start. Problem traced to coolant leakage into cylinders from failure of upper intake manifold gaskets. Repair cost: $681.30

Filed Mar 24, 2003 · Engine · 95,000 miles · IN

1999 buick lesabre has coolant leak at the manifold intake gasket. Engine light came on and smoke out of the back. Repair cost = $580.00

Filed Oct 4, 2002 · Engine · IL

While traveling on the highway, and without prior warning, there were gasoline fumes coming though the vents and the vehicle overheated. The dealership is aware of the problem. *mr the consumer states that first the fuel pressure regulator was repaired, then the manifold was replaced. The mechanic stated that it looked like the manifold was defected from the factory.