2001 Buick Lesabre Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine › Gasoline
  6
• Engine
  6
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  4
• Cooling system
  3
• Exhaust system
  1
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  412%
• 25k–50k
  13%
• 50k–75k
  515%
• 75k–100k
  412%
• 100k–150k
  1441%
• 150k+
  618%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Buick Lesabre owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owned a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator without warning. The contact stated that a black smoke began to emit from the engine as he was able to pull into an independent mechanic shop. The contact immediately exited the vehicle as flames began to emit from the vehicle's engine. Employees from the independent mechanic attempted to assist with the fire as the fire department was called to the scene. Police and fire arrived at the scene as the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed and the contact was given a police report number(#C221CR384628). No injuries were reported and no medical assistance was needed. The vehicle remained in the possession of the independent mechanic where it was deemed a total loss. …

I try to start the car and the car wouldn't start and then I tried to start the car again then I heard a big loud sound from the engine a boob sound. I notice smoke was coming from the hood. My brother was outside when the loud sound went off. My brother and I move the other vehicles out of the way so it wouldn't catch on fire. Went back over to the car my brother tried to pursue with the matter and he notice he was on fire under the hood while the smoke were coming from the engine it was to much for him to handle so he told me to call the fire department and did that. Engine was on fire spreading larger surrounding the tires on the front of the car while the engine was in flames. The police came and the fire department arrive a couples minutes after that. They spread it down with fire hoses and that was it. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that a fire ignited without warning under the hood after the driver exited the vehicle. When the hood was opened, the contact noticed that the engine cover for the engine assembly and fuel system had flown off. The fire extinguished on its own. The vehicle remained parked at the contact's residence due to the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V090000 (fuel system, gasoline) and NHTSA action number: ea02030 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the vehicle exhibited the same failures as the recall and NHTSA investigation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Tl* the contact's father owns a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the garage for approximately 5 weeks, when his father was attempting to jump start the battery when on the second attempt there was an explosion in the engine compartment. The contact and his father was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The fire department was contacted however, they did not extinguish the fire and a fire department report was filed. The contact stated no one was injured. A dealer had not been aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,348.

Our Buick had been running fine, but went to move it one morning. With a cold engine, as soon as we hit the starter, the engine exploded very loudly and started burning. After the fire was put out, it was determined that the entire intake manifold, along with the fuel lines had exploded in many pieces. From internet research, it was found that the fuel pressure regulator had a recall for vehicle years '98-'00, which these models had the same condition. Had I had the hood open at the time, I'd probably been hurt by flying chunks from the intake manifold. This is a very dangerous condition which could have easily caused bodily harm, even from fire to the passengers inside.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that when her husband turned the ignition on, the vehicle made a loud popping noise that was coming from the engine. The contacts husband noticed smoke was coming from under the hood and when he lift the hood, it was engulfed in flames. The contacts husband was able to extinguished the fire. The contact also mentioned that the engine was fractured and that the cover had blown off due to the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,060.

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, he saw smoke emerging from the engine of the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the engine was up in flames. There was no crash or injuries due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and could extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The contact had not notified a local dealer. The vehicle had been not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

I went out to start the car to go to work and I heard a backfire, my husband came out wondering what that bang was. Smoke started coming out from the hood. He popped the hood to see what the problem was and flames came shooting out from under the hood. He closed the hood to smother the fire, we had to call the fire department' to put the fire out. The car is a total loss. Now we are without a car. Now what!!!! This car was well maintained and great working order before this happened.

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)

The vehicle in question is equipped with the 3800 series engine. The vehicle caught on fire while starting the engine. Family member owned a 2003 Chevy impala with identical engine which caught on fire while he was driving home for work. GM settled with them for a recall that was placed on the engine. I believe there is a major design flaw with this engine.

Engine complaints in other Lesabre years