Buick Lesabre knocking problems

Filed Dec 20, 2006 · TX

My cars paint started pealing off and now almost the entire top of my car has no paint but a gray type surface as well as the entire roof is rusted. That's just one thing. The trunk of my car when I open it leaks the water inside as well as when it is shut. My car also will not crank after I have parked it and will require a boost to get it going now I have replaced the battery and the battery cable heads and it still does that on occasion. My car one day started making a horrible knocking grinding noise and I went to have it looked at and they told me it was the harmonic balance pulley. I went to get the part to repair my car and they said the only place to get the rubber seal is thru the dealer. It is to expensive for me to get it fixed professionals, so now I drive only when absolutely necessary and the rubber seal is almost worn down completely and when it falls off and im told it will. I will be out of a car. The roof interior has also fallen down and I have to pin it up out of the way so I can see out my back window. The rear windows do not roll down and the rear window defrost only comes on on occasion, as well as my heater only comes on when it wants to not when we turn it on.

Filed Oct 21, 2004 · Engine · 88,103 miles · AR

July 11, 2002: we had to have 5 injectors replaced by jordan oldsmobile-buick, hot springs, arkansas. Cost: $709.42. Mileage was 82,260. October 31, 2002: we had to take our car to orr pontiac, cadillac, toyota, hot springs, arkansas, because the car misfired (or backfired) on us. The work order states: customer states that oil light and temp light came on; car was low on coolant and had to add water, said a lot of white smoke came out of tail pipes and had very bad sulfur smell. Intake leaking, flooding cyl with coolant. replaced : two manifolds, coolant, oil, etc. Cost: $1398.66. Mileage: 88,103. November 15, 2002: oil gauge goes to red and engine has knock. Diagnosis was internal engine damageI was told that parts of the engine had been made of plastic and this plastic had melted. Complete new engine. Cost: $4174.94. Mileage: 88,821.

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Transmission · NJ

The transmission failed at 50k miles. *ph there were two other same make/model vehicles with the same problem. The consumer suggested that gm compensate consumer's for this problem. There were ticking noises upon acceleration and there was a clunk sound when the vehicle was placed in reverse. *sc

Filed Mar 11, 2004 · Suspension · CA

While driving the vehicle began making a knocking noise without warning. *ak

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Engine · 44,500 miles · NJ

Purchased new, this well maintained, garage kept vehicle failed with 44,500 miles. I changed the oil & filter after the first 500 mile break-in period & every 1k miles. On 2/12/04, there was a rough unexpected engine knock upon startup. Placed in reverse, there was a shaking sensation & the check engine lamp eventually lit. I drove to the dealer. I was told that the radiator coollant leaked into the oil portion of the engine. It was an unpleasant situation, however, a decision had to be made & I opted to replace the vehicle with a 2004 lesabre. I drove it off the lot the same day and tried to put my 1998 problem behind me. I have owned lesabres in the past, a park avenue & other gm products where I clocked over 250,000 miles each on most of them. Two days after the purchase of my 2004, the burning question was why my 1998 bit the dust? I felt drawn to my computer & searched: "buick lesabre plenum failures" to see what I might find. I viewed several hundred complaints at this site and many others describing the very same problem. All I could help but wonder, was if this same defect prone part was in the car I just purchased? I called gm and spoke to a rep. I told herabout my 1998 model and then asked if she could let me know if it had been changed on my new 2004 model? Yes, my 2004 has the same defective intake manifold, so without any warning, the same situation will arise in the future. What will they do for me about my new car? Nothing. Beware the ticking time bomb if your gm vehicle has the 3800 series ii. A loud pop, followed by hesitation & by the time the ser engine light glows -- it is already too late. Many fires have been reported along with this problem. Sources indicate that it is on approximately 35 mill assorted gm cars manufactured from circa 1994 to present.

Filed Dec 16, 2003 · Steering · 3,800 miles · KY

While driving , the consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for analysis. The mechanic noticed that both tie rods were rusted and needed to be replaced. *jb tie rods on vehicle were very loose and completely worn out. Vehicle was taken to dealer and tie rods were replaced.

Filed Sep 8, 2003 · Engine · 71,197 miles · OH

Nar 9-8-03. Minor knock noise in engine. Engine was replaced in the amount of $4200.00 on 71000 mile vehicle.

Filed May 9, 2003 · Steering · 34,000 miles · TN

Loud knock noise when turning steering wheel in sharp turn in either direction. Dealer reposition cradle bolts with no help. Found later after factory warranty was out the outer tie rod ends needed to be replaced and were of a different design. This part should not wear this quickly and could cause failure of the steering system.

Filed Apr 15, 2003 · Engine · 161,000 miles · MI

Erratic engine performance and occasional "check engine" light reported several weeks ago when vehicle was in for minor repair. Independent delco garage owner indicated stored codes were for "o2 sensor" - however it appeared to be functioning normally at that time. On friday 4/11/03, erratic engine performance (missing, loss of performance) caused me to head towards garage for further investigation. En route, vehicle stalled out, and refused to restart (at one point, a back fire occurred during restart attempt. Had vehicle towed to garage, and during subsequent inspection, it was discovered the heat from the "egr" pipe from the lower intake manifold had damaged the upper composite manifold, causing a coolant leak into the intake. Stored codes at this time indicated o2 sensor, misfire and catalytic converter. Owner indicated these readings were consistent with his experience, and informed me that they have replaced at least a dozen to 18 upper intakes in past 18 months. Quoting him "we're just a small garage". I have also been told that when he called local gm dealership (to inquire on availability of parts) he was told "we have so many of these in stock that we can't even put them up on the shelves they are stacked in the aisle." what is most disconcerting is when I called buick division general motors corp customer assistance center I was told by kevin dam (sp?) and darlene vega (sp?) that there was no known complaints, investigations or recalls regarding this problem. After reviewing this site and your investigation(s) - someone is grossly misinformed! And it appeared the manufacturer may even be participating in denial and/or misrepresentation in this matter. My inquiry (complaint or whatever they call it) was given the number 1-89860067. It seems to me that we all have a ticking bomb on our hands ... Unfortunately, I drive it to work each day! Can you help me?.

Filed Dec 22, 2002 · Engine · 88,985 miles · SC

Engine sustained damage due to oil sludging (gelling). Oil pressure was inflated,knocking sound was noticed. Penzoil 10w30 was being used at regular intervals. Dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis----770781. *ak