The contact owns a 1998 Buick LeSabre. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V090000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and at various speeds, the engine started to misfire. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved code: P0300 (Multiple Random Cylinder Misfire). The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 231,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Buick Lesabre fuel smell problems
33 of the 3,607 owner complaints about the Buick Lesabre describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 33
- worst model year
- 1998
- typical mileage
- 88,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 7Fuel leak 7Fire or smoke 5Check engine light 3Fuel pump 2Won't start 1Overheating 1Misfire 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0300 1
What owners say
fuel vapor system leaks gas fumes into car. Replaced all fuel lines, pulled tank, renewed canister. 10 months later fumes are again entering car cabin. 105,000 total miles.
Was driving and as I pulled to redlight vehicle smelled of gas but burst into flames from the motor
The car was off and parked in our driveway. When the key was put in the ignition and turned on, a large explosion under the hood occurred. The car was immediately turned off and smoke started coming out from under the hood. After opening the hood, saw the engine was on fire so put it out with a fire extinguisher. Really heavy gas smell inside the car today (1 day later)
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle 5 -10 minutes later. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was malfunctioning. The fuel pump was replaced. After the fuel pump replacement, a strong fuel odor was detected in the vehicle while driving or parked. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel ring was causing the fuel odor. The ring was replaced, but the issue persisted. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic who stated that the fuel tank and fuel neck were the possible cause of the continuing fuel odor, and both parts needed replacement. The contact had the fuel tank and fuel neck replaced, but the fuel odor continued. The manufacturer and the local buick dealer were not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the fuel pump was replaced. After the repair, the failure persisted and a strong fuel odor was present. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. The contact noticed a fuel odor and observed fuel leakage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
Observed a strong gasoline odor after driving the car. The cause of the odor was a leak in the nylon fuel pressure line feeding the rear fuel rail on the engine. The leak in the line was caused by the engine shroud. The engine has a removable plastic shroud, and the edge of the shroud was rubbing on the fuel line and eventually cut through the line and created a pinhole leak.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong gasoline fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic to be inspected. The failure was located as the fuel lines being defective. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000 and the current mileage was 155,000. Updated 06/18/13*lj updated 06/21/2013
I found out that this gas line leakage issue exist in everyone that I know with this model vehicle. There is a fuel line clip that can be replaced. The clip is inserted at the end of the fuel line that connects to the engine but this clip doesn't last very long once replaced. Eventually the clip won't work anymore as if it is the fuel line itself that is bad. This issues seems to be a defect in this model buick and is dangerous. I'm just wondering how can such an issue never been on the buick recall list for this model car. Most people that have this car say that they have smelled the gas fumes and didn't know what it was. The gas actually leaks/ drip from the fuel line's clip onto the hot engine. ( can you say very dangerous) this is a lawsuit waiting to happen!
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. If the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a mistimed spark can cause a backfire.
- Risk
- The backfire can rupture the intake manifold. The rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 04V090000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
- Risk
- This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.
Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details
Questions about the Buick Lesabre fuel smell
Which Buick Lesabre years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (8 complaints), 1997 (6 complaints) and 1999 (6 complaints).
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