1999 Buick Lesabre: won't start

9 of the 209 complaints about the 1999 Buick Lesabre describe won't start.

owner complaints: 9
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

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 3, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 164,000 miles · PA

In approx 2010 my buick lesabre had issues starting and would occasionally stop operating during travel. All ignition functions would cease to work. Towed to buick dealership to resolve and replaced ignition switch. This year a similar action happened where the car would not start. Again at the dealership the ignition switch was replaced. Is this ignition switch issue included in the gm recall?

Filed Jul 13, 2014 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · OH

Wire in steering column opens. Car won't start.

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 Jan 2, 2009 · Engine · 68,628 miles · NY

Engine seized and wouldn't start. Found the intake manifold full of antifreeze. Caused by a faulty intake manifold. Replaced manifold, changed oil and antifreeze and replaced cracked starter.

Filed Mar 20, 2008 · Engine · 85,000 miles · WI

Wife's 1999 buick lesabre with 90,000 miles on it was burning antifreeze in engine. I was told by a certified gm mechanic to try tightening throttle body mounting nuts because being too loose was a common problem from the factory. Did that 6 months ago and it seemed to help even though the manifold throttle body mounting surface was warped due to the engine heat. Over the past month the car became increasingly hard to start, burned large amounts of antifreeze, and would stall intermittently. On march 13, 2008 I took the intake manifold off the engine and found antifreeze in the intake duct going to the air filter and antifreeze pooled in the intake manifold. This was caused by two separate defects, the upper intake manifold gasket not sealing properly to the lower intake manifold (was leaking in two different spots) and the leaking throttle body to intake manifold gasket (was leaking coolant into the intake duct to air filter), which was caused by excess heat from the egr pipe warping the upper manifold. Another serious problem with the upper intake manifold was the heat from the egr pipe eroded the manifold to a point that it would cause leaking coolant to enter the intake manifold in the near future. This seems to me to be a safety concern not only from a standpoint of the car stalling and becoming hard to steer but I work in the outdoors in remote locations in sub zero weather in the winter. I am always prepared for the possibility that my car won't start and I will have to walk miles to the nearest phone but somebody else may not be prepared and it looks like this defect might be dangerous if not fixed. I replaced the upper intake manifold and gaskets with an aftermarket one and the car is fine now.

Filed Jan 6, 2006 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NC

1999 buick lesabre v6 3.8l engine, 82,000 mi. Had been experiencing some surging, no other symptoms. 8/05 drove home, parked car, went out next morning and auto would not start. Towed to dealer service dept. Who found "water in cylinders". Used "stop leak" as temporary repair. 11/05 engine again locked, unable to start. Water in cylinders, water in oil. Contacted buick customer service who suggested engine replacement or purchase of new vehicle. Independent mechanic informed me of "class action" suit due to faulty manifold intake and other engine defects. Have contacted attorney handling the suit. Suit involves "k" series 3.8l engines, various models and years. For now, I need a new engine. As realtor and mortgage lender, I work through my car!

Filed Jan 26, 2004 · Electrical · 33,225 miles · CA · fire

The owner went out to the vehicle to leave and the vehicle would not start. He then contacted the auto club and they came out and attached jumper cables. When the owner turned the ignition as instructed by the mechanic he immediately heard a "bang" followed by a fire. Please provide any additional information.

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 Dec 4, 2001 · Engine · CA · fire

Consumer stated vehicle had been parked for several days, when the vehicle was finally started the motor cranked slowly as if the battery was low, and then the engine backfired loudly and did not start, fire was detected under the hood, upon examination of the engine, a disclosed failed plastic air intake most likely was the result of the backfire, fire from backfire escaped the ruptured plenum and spread to the rest uf the underhood area and eventually to the passenger area of the vehicle.