Most common 1998 Buick Lesabre problems
Share of the 400 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Lesabre complaints by model year
Best Lesabre years: 2005, 1996, 2003. Years to avoid: 2000, 1998, 1997. Compare all years →
1998 Buick Lesabre recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1998 Buick Lesabre:
Engine compartment fires
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with GM?s actions in 03v-473 and 04v-090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a…
What 1998 Buick Lesabre owners say
Engine & cooling all 204 →
The contact owns a 1998 Buick LeSabre. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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. …
My 1998 Buick Lesabre had a ruptured manifold in June 2003, causing engine to cease and smoke and minor fire. The smoke made myself and my infant son very ill. This was reported to Buick but they refused to reimburse for repair since vehicle was just out of warranty. They told me that the following recall was not in effect: NHTSA recall no. 03V473/GM recall no. 03054 and that my vehicle had no recall. A few months later the engine ceased to start again and it was determined at the Buick dealership that it was a faulty fuel pressue regulator which was replaced. Buick again refused reimbursement although I brought their attention to the current recall on my vehicle. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 76 →
The contact owns a 1998 Buick LeSabre. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the brakes were applied yet they did not respond. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a row of hedges. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was informed that the brake line was completely rusted. The mechanic replaced the brake lines. In June 2010, the contact noticed abnormal front end noise. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was informed that the stabilizer bar bushings had fractured from the vehicle and the bushings under the cradle were extremely rusted. The bushings were replaced in both areas. Three months later, the contact noticed fuel leaking from under the vehicle abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was advised that the fuel sending unit was defective and would need replacing. …
Electrical system all 50 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, once the vehicle reached the odometer mileage of 99,999, it failed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
I have a Buick Lesabre, custom, 1998, with about 110,000 miles on it. The car was running normally, with no prior problems relating to starting. I drove it out of town, about 80 miles away. It still was fine, starting up with no problem, several times after getting there. However, at a campground entrance, the car refused to start. No click, buzz, nothing. All electronic components, a.c., radio, windows, were fine. The security light flashed every time I tried to turn the key....even after waiting 3 minutes to try again. I even tried a second key, but it didn't help. The tow truck driver tried, and he wiggled the key in the key cylinder and the car started. Drove home, tried to start car again, and it refused to start, no matter how much wiggling we did. Contacted several dealers. …
1998 Buick Lesabre engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Buick Lesabre a good car?
Based on 400 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Lesabre rates avoid: 2.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Lesabre at the same age. It is one of the Lesabre years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Buick Lesabre?
The engine & cooling — 204 complaints, 51% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (76) and electrical system (50).
How many recalls does the 1998 Buick Lesabre have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Buick Lesabre, the most recent from February 24, 2004 (delivery). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Lesabre?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1996 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 1998 and 1997. See the full Buick Lesabre years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Buick Lesabre problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.