2002 Buick Lesabre: fire, smoke or burning smell

7 of the 310 complaints about the 2002 Buick Lesabre describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 136,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 68 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2005
2
2004
3
2003
4
2002
7
2001
19
2000
24
1999
14
1998
30
1997
14
1995
3
1994
4
1993
9
1992
14
1991
3

What owners say

Filed Dec 6, 2018 · Body, Engine · MS · fire

Was driving and as I pulled to redlight vehicle smelled of gas but burst into flames from the motor

Filed Jun 11, 2018 · Engine · 900,000 miles · SD · fire

Drove car 0.2 miles parked car went into walmart car was seen smoking in parking lot engine caught on fire fire dept came talked to auto shop they said it has happened to this year of vehicle many times due to a manufacturer issue

Filed Jan 19, 2018 · Fuel system · 116,098 miles · WY · fire

On startup the intake manifold exploded breaking the fuel supply line and catching the engine on fire

Filed Feb 20, 2015 · Engine · 136,000 miles · CT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle burst into flames without warning. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake valve did not close and ignited the fuel going into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Nov 29, 2014 · Engine · 36,000 miles · IL · fire

My son was driving the 2002 buick lesabre from his apartment (less than a mile) and arrived at school (xavier university-cincinnati, oh). He noticed smoke coming from the hood and then smoke started coming in the cabin. He was able to put the vehicle in park and jump out. The fire department had to be called to douse the fire.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Engine · 52,213 miles · IN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. The contact stated that upon initial start-up, the vehicle hesitated and appeared to misfire. The contact then suddenly heard a loud pop followed by a massive amount of black smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure and declined to provide a remedy to the contact. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 52,213. Updated 05/28/14 ma updated 6/26/14*cn updated 7/29/17

Filed Jan 6, 2012 · Engine · 169,000 miles · TX

Noticed lots of white smoke coming out tail pipe while driving. Very unusual. Car then stopped on freeway. Had to get pushed by another car to side if freeway. Towed car home to driveway. Tried to crank engine and heard real loud pop coming from under hood. Car did not turn on. Tried to start 5 more times but each time it just sounded like a real short crank type sound like as if engine is having a hard time turning. After fifth time, engine started and this time the smoke coming out tail pipe was white/bluish and lots of it. Engine stopped. Also noticed that all the coolant was gone from coolant container and there is a high burning smell of coolant coming from engine. This might be a cracked upper intake or lower intake. These are made of real cheap hard plastic which could be the primary reason of engine failure. Car is now parked in my backyard.