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Engine & cooling

2000 Buick Lesabre Engine problems

Owners have filed 95 complaints about the 2000 Buick Lesabre's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 14% of all its complaints, most recently on November 26, 2020. They describe 1 crash, 15 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
95
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
15
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

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

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11376473
BrakesEngine & coolingFuel system

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.

Filed Incident Service brakes · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11376472
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

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

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11331285
Fuel systemEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 11292548
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11292300
Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & coolingFire

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11105197
Engine & cooling

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11060941
Engine & coolingFire

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

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10985765
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10949759
Engine & cooling

Leaking oil onto exhaust manifold causing burning smell and smoke which permeates passenger compartment. This car has the 3.8 Series ll engine which has a recall for this problem on the regal but not the lesabre. This is definitely a problem on the lesabre too. Why is it not included in the recall? Often happens while driving but the last time was when I had just pulled into my driveway and smoke poured out from the hood. Using the recirculating air setting seems to help smoke from entering the cabin. Why is this not included in the factory recall!! *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10939644
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. While driving various speeds, an abnormal rattling sound was heard coming from the rear passenger side. While the check engine indicator was illuminated, the vehicle began to decelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear calipers failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10908697
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. While pulling out the driveway, the contact observed smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact lifted the hood and observed oil on the manifold. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10873844
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owned a 2000 buick lesabre. When the ignition key was turned to the on position, there was an abnormal explosion from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that smoke and flames appeared under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v090000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,900. The vehicle was destroyed.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10838499
Electrical systemBody, doors & structureEngine & coolingFire

As I was driving my buick lesabre 2000 my windows lock up on me it was a very hot summer so the electrical windows with no go up and down. The engine is bad. 1490000 Miles. Electrical system is problems. The car wiring is loose and can be a dangerous. I tried to pull window down and repair its manually frozen with no power. My seat are uncomfortable with hard iron wire.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10781352
Engine & cooling

While driving the vehicle at 35 mph, the dashboard check engine light illuminated. The engine idle speed became erratic and the vehicle stalled. Upon scanning the computer for fault codes, a p0102 code was found. The mass airflow sensor and the idle control valve were both replaced, however the p0102 fault and check engine light re-appeared the next day. I have found hundreds of complaints online for the identical problem that buick lesabre owners are experiencing with no solid "cure" for the problem. This condition is un-safe and renders the vehicle unreliable for driving. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10662544
SteeringSeats & seat beltsBrakesEngine & cooling

While driving this vehicle the bolts on my rear brake pad broke in half and the car was unable to move forward, had to drive my car backwards home luckily I was only a block away from home. The 2 front windows will not roll up or down, keep having to replace the hose that leads to my radiator, when I make right turns the car vibrates, two front seat belts have stop locking all together and this vehicle has never been in any sort of crash or accident, front dash is starting to lift considerably. I adore my vehicle and I'm not looking forward to getting rid of it, but there are too many problems to deal with on this car. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Seat belts · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10654988
SteeringFuel systemEngine & cooling

Engine shuts off while driving, so far, only at lower speeds. Sometimes, by putting in neutral and turning key, engine starts again. Other times, it has to set for a while. Put new battery in 11/7/2013. Problem persisted. Three auto repair shops, including a buick dealership, have checked it out, but it does not die on them in the amount of time its in their possession so I was told there was nothing they could do. Typically, it happens after it is driven at least 20 miles. Came very close to being rear-ended as I was unable to pull off the road enough to be out of the way on a road with hills and blind spots. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 10567722
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Transmission no longer shifts into 3rd or overdrive. With shifter in overdrive and in stopped position once you take your foot off the brake to begin acceleration the torque converter slams to a stop and the engine shuts off. Transmission fluid full at all times, engine warmed up. Repeated stalling, repeated tachometer quits. Repeated engine quits when you place in overdrive from neutral. Must start movement by placing in lower gears 1 2 or 3. This transmission never shifts out of second gear. Put it on code...

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analyzer and got 2 codes that indicated pc solenoid torque converter solenoid issues. Seems like these 2000 buicks have recurring defects and gm won't standby their product. Why on earth would a company that designs cars ever put a battery under a car seat. One spark with hydrogen gas under that seat could kill an infant in a car seat if it exploded.. Come on!!! *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10463511
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle engine caught on fire while the vehicle was turned on. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 80,940.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10402423
Engine & coolingFire

My car is buick lesabre 2000 custom with 84k miles. The engine exploded when I jump start it. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10361414
Engine & coolingFire

On june 25, 2010 approx 8:30 pm our 2000 buick lesabre was sitting by our house, not running, no keys in it. We heard a huge bang/backfire. The car had been parked since 4:00 pm. We saw a huge amount of smoke and fire as high as the porch deck roof. Immediately called 911. The hood was blown apart, the windshield blown in, rear view mirror & visors blown off. The car was completely totaled; everything on the engine melted, radiator gone, tires melted & tire rims look like they were blown outward. It was a...

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very huge explosion & we did find the odi report ea 02-030 for recalls #03034 & #03054 for explosions/fires in this buick. The recalls for our vehicle were completed and done in 2005 for the above items of "fuel regulator causing defective/leaking fuel reg asm etc. Or coolant causing improperly seal throttle body" this vehicle was always a good running car with few problems and a car should not blow up just sitting still, so obviously the problems were not sufficiently corrected. The only event before this was that when the ignition was turned off at 4:00pm the passenger door lock was clicked at the same time and we heard a big clunk kind of sound. Our mechanics who viewed the vehicle and all who saw it never saw something that bad and all said that we would most likely have been killed if we had been in the car when it blew up. The vehicle is presently still sitting in the exact spot where it blew up as requested by gmc, but it will need to be moved before snow plowing as it is 6'6" from our house steps and is a hazard to our residence. We told gmac that we would be removing it before aug. 30Th, however, they have not inspected it as of yet. Other property damage includes melted vinyl siding on our home, damage to deck paint, much needing power washed & damage to tar driveway, plus soot damage. Have many pictures, if you have e-mail address. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10352526
Engine & cooling

2000 Buick lesabre has a problem with intake manifold gasket leaking. Consumer wants to know if the current problem and recalls from 2003, 2004 are connected. *Nj

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10268089
Engine & coolingFuel systemFire

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. The vehicle caught fire while parked. The possible cause of the fire was due to the fuel pump. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer. Both a police and fire report were filed. The current and failure mileages were 92,000. The consumer sent in a copy of a recall. Recall # 04v090000 updated

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10221454
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. The contact took his vehicle to the dealer for a routine inspection and was informed that there was a leak in the intake manifold gasket. The failure was repaired. One week later, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they stated that the engine and bearings were coated with anti-freeze and the engine needed to be replaced. The engine has not been repaired. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 85,000 and current mileage was 85,305.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10214041
Engine & cooling

Evaporative control system failure required replacement of evaporator purge valve and canister. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10194944

Buick Lesabre engine complaints by year

Lesabre engine problems, every year

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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

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