- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2000 Buick Lesabre Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 680 complaints about the 2000 Buick Lesabre with NHTSA, most often about the visibility & wipers (255) and the engine & cooling (95). Those complaints describe 26 crashes, 30 fires and 24 injuries. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in February 2004 for the delivery. For comparison, the 1999 has 215 and the 2001 has 335.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Lesabre year, for its age
#8 most complained-about 2000 vehicle
- Complaints
- 680
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 26
- Fires
- 30
- Injuries
- 24
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2000 Buick Lesabre problems
Share of all 680 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2000 Buick Lesabre recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have internal fluid leaks in the brake hydraulic control unit.
- The risk
- When the rear brake proportioning, antilock brake, traction control, or stability control feature is activated in some driving situations, the feature may not perform as designed.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the abs hydraulic modulator unit and if necessary, replace the hydraulic modulator.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." The head lamp adjustment device horizontal adjuster may not move the head lamp reflector when the shaft is rotated in a normal manner during aiming.
- The risk
- Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- An insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps will be provided to owners for the owner's manual. Owners should follow the procedure in the insert for headlamp aim adjustment, rather than using the horizontal vhad indicator.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The inner tie rod nuts are loose and can result in separation of a tie rod.
- The risk
- Separation of a tie rod can cause unexpected steering input increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will check and adjust the vehicle toe-in and tighten the inner tie rod nuts to the specified torque.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake booster to pedal assembly attachment nuts may be loose.
- The risk
- If these nuts are loose, the brake pedal may be low, the assembly may be loose, the brakes may not release, and if the nuts back completely off, braking may be lost. Also fume and water intrusion to the passenger compartment can occur.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace any missing brake booster to brake pedal assembly nuts and tighten all four (4) nuts to specified torque.
What owners say
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680 complaints about the 2000 Buick Lesabre
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 28.
Completed full diagnosis at Vann York BUICK Gmc [[redacted]] after failing NC Inspection on [redacted]. Provided service fee of 202.00 approx. And was provided a list of services that required immediate attention. The service mechanic advised there were no recalls. The vehicle has failed twice since I picked it up from the dealership [redacted] due to a fuel issue. Once on [redacted] and at 7:45pm today [redacted]. My concern is that the recalls was not brought to my attention. I conveyed to dealership today after...
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the failure on [redacted] the fuel filter was replaced. I inquired about the diagnostic today as well prior to the vehicle failing not sure if the part for the recalls is causing this issue but it would be such a relief to know the dealership should have caught the recall. Thank you for your service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
the 2000 Buick Lesabre is a wonderful car basically a tank with the 3800 SERIES II you cant go wrong but the tiny little plastic part holding the throttle cable will dryrot even with a garage kept car under 150k miles please get them replaced I was driving and then the part came off and it got wrapped around the bracket and it took off I melted the breaks I wasn't stopping due to constant gas so I flipped in down into neutral to stop the vehicle from accelerating after i found a spot to pull it off the road but you...
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can also put your foot under the peddle and pull up on it while pressing the breaks if you cant find a safe area while this is happening but i didnt relise it was happning until i hit 65 because the road i was on was a 55 and before i knew it i was going 90 luciky i live out in the rural areas
The plastic pice holding the throttle lines snapped off and my cable went under my bracket and it took off I destroyed the Transmission putting it in neutral to stop the vehicle after I had gotten it stoped the fire from the engine was small I will recommend this car and yes I do want another one but it is a common issue I will recomed this car because the body is made out of steel and they are basicly tanks with the 3800 Series II and it was easy for me to spot what was happening and get ahead of it before it got worse I drove 5 miles with this happening before the engine overheated and caught fire
I started my car in the morning, per my usual routine. After a few seconds, I heard a very loud bang and the car stalled. A few seconds later, there was a large amount of smoke coming from under the hood. I opened the hood to see a large fire had started. My son, who heard the loud bang, came outside and saw the flames from under the hood. He ran into the house, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and attempted to put out the fire. He got the fire out but it was difficult. I had the car looked at by a mechanic and told me...
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that the intake manifold had literally exploded. He has stated that he has never seen anything like this. It appears that the exploding manifold ruptured a fuel line. He told me there was a recall on this vehicle relating to a rupturing manifold and leaking fuel but that my vehicle had already had the recall performed. He thought that the new parts may be defective which is why I am reporting this incident.
The contact owns a 2000 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the tie rod nuts had failed and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V301000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that...
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they could not repair the vehicle under the recall because the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V090000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
Gas lines are rusty and look like they are about to leak gas and also I got stuck on highway because gas gauge did not work because ground wire to sender was broken
Engine mounts are loose and need replacement because they make jerking sounds when I speed up or slow down making for extra movements in car
Brake lines rusting even though I replaced the rusty brake lines before. The first time they rotted through and I could not stop but fortunately I was going slow and used emergency brake.
WONT HO IN DRIVE
Clunk when turning then loss of control when steering, mechanic found fractured power steering rack.
I turn the ignition over didn't it did not even start yet a loud went boom and up under the hood was blazing with fire than my doors locked I could not get out I had to kick the opposite side and then I got out I had to call sleep fire rescue squad the fire was so bad it was going up under my carport and almost caught my roof on fire and almost did and did a little bit
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic due to a flat tire. The contact was informed the inner tie rod bushing had rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, the upper intake manifold exploded into pieces. The contact checked under the hood and noticed that the engine cover and fuel filter exploded. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in...
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nhtsa campaign number: 04v090000 (fuel system, gasoline). No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was donated. *Tr
I need to report my 2000 buick lesabre, apparently has and oil leak. While driving, you can smell oil leaking on the exhaust pipes/manifold system. I read where some engines with the 3.8L engines: chevy's, pontiac's, buick regal's are being recalled for oil leaking from valve cover gaskets (when hard braking is applied) on to the exhaust system parts and could cause a fire, in the engine compartment.. I am experiencing the same problem on my 2000 buick lesabre. With the 3.8L engine. I would like for this to be investigated on these model buick's 2000 - 2005, for oil leaking onto exhaust system. They should be included as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. While the vehicle was parked outside, the contact noticed that the floor was wet on the front and rear passenger sides. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 00v114000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to al serra buick gmc (located at 6201 saginaw rd, grand blanc, mi 48439, (810) 202-0226), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 71,500.
Complete tire separation from steel belts of tire construction while car was being driven on interstate highway. Tire had high amount of tread life remaining beforehand and this happened with absolutely no warning. Very dangerous to occupants and caused physical and aesthetic damage to vehicle. Do not know what the cost of the repair will be at this time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle lost power and would not restart. In addition, the low fuel indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact was unaware of the mechanic's diagnosis. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 98,000. *Tt consumer stated it would happen at any speed and had nothing to do with fuel gauge. Car was fixed replaced the engine harness connector. Updated 11/20/18*jb
On two occasions so far in 2018, my buick engine would start itself. Once when I closed the glove box and another time when I closed the passenger door. Both times the ignition key was absent and the car was stationary. My guess is ignition switch. [[redacted]] - mechanical engineer & college auto instructor. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
I had problem with windows not rolling up and down. After I took my buick to pep boys 3325 124th ave nw coon rapids mn electric mechanic found out that my window power switch is damaged after rain storm. Later I experienced the following problems with vehicle: 1 strange engine noise while running 2 pushing forward once release foot from brake. Pep boys mechanic looked at all these problems and told me everything looks ok but I need to get engine diagnostic done with pep boys. I got schedule for that. Meanwhile I ended up in car traffic problem because of fire of my vehicle.
Cpsc: progressive passport device plugged in odbc reader for 2000 buick lesabre. Power cut off from car and battery light went on while driving at about 25 mph. *Dt the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified. *Js
CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING
The vehicle's throttle apparently becomes stuck open, which causes the vehicle to accelerate to a high rate of speed and become difficult to stop. It has occurred while the car is in park or when accelerating from a stop on city streets or when accelerating on an interstate ramp.
All but the 1 drivers side seatbelts wont lock in place for the safety of the passengers
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a burning odor and smoke. After the hood was opened, the contact noticed leaking on the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was not diagnosed, but the contact replaced the gasket. The manufacturer stated that due to the vehicle not being manufactured at the same plant as the defective vehicles, the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 137,000. Updated 08/31/17*lj *cn
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. While parking in the garage, an odor of hot burning wax emitted under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a small oil leak that needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.
Buick Lesabre: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 162 | 0 | F |
| 2003 | 167 | 1 | F |
| 2002 | 322 | 2 | F |
| 2001 | 335 | 0 | F |
| 2000 | 680 | 5 | F |
| 1999 | 215 | 2 | F |
| 1998 | 410 | 1 | F |
| 1997 | 402 | 2 | F |
| 1996 | 101 | 2 | F |
2000 Buick Lesabre vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Buick Lesabre | 680 | 5 | F | |
| 2000 Buick Century | 205 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Buick Regal | 196 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Buick Park Avenue | 81 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Buick Skylark | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2000 Buick Lesabre
Does the 2000 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2000 Buick Lesabre: delivery (February 2004); foundation components (April 2000); headlights (December 1999); tie rod assembly (October 1999) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Buick Lesabre?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the visibility & wipers (255), engine & cooling (95), electrical system (87).
How many complaints has the 2000 Buick Lesabre had?
680 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 19, 1999 and the latest on August 26, 2026. Of these, 26 describe a crash and 30 a fire, and together they report 24 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2000 Buick Lesabre a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 1 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Buick Lesabre year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Lesabre years have the most complaints?
2000 (680), 1998 (410), 1997 (402). See every Buick Lesabre year compared.
What should I do if my 2000 Buick Lesabre has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data