VehicleVerdict

1998 Buick LeSabre problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 518 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 18.2 times the median LeSabre year — the 1998 model ranks #2 of 36 LeSabre years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 44% of all reports (228 of 518), far ahead of fuel system at 80.

518

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

64

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other LeSabre years?

LeSabre NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted849 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 1 complaints1972: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 7 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 53 complaints1988: 22 complaints1989: 35 complaints1990: 75 complaints1991: 46 complaints1992: 245 complaints1993: 264 complaints1994: 220 complaints1995: 235 complaints1996: 121 complaints1997: 514 complaints1998: 518 complaints1999: 268 complaints2000: 849 complaints2001: 460 complaints2002: 380 complaints2003: 209 complaints2004: 212 complaints2005: 95 complaints2006: 4 complaints
LeSabre NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LeSabre years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Buick LeSabre problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine22844%
Fuel System8015%
Electrical System5711%
Brakes285%
Transmission224%
Steering163%
Suspension163%
Other153%
Visibility & Wipers122%
Airbags112%
Tires & Wheels71%
Seat Belts61%
Lighting61%
Seats41%
Speed Control41%
Body & Structure41%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1998 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V090000Fuel SystemFebruary 24, 2004 · 910,873 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOAD POP THEN SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A LEAKING MANIFOLD. *SC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 6, 2003 · fire

“1998 BUICK LESABRE BECAME INOPERATIVE AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE.*MR A SMALL FIRE EMITTED FORM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FOR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER REPLACED THINKING IT WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. RECALL 04V090000 WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 1, 2005 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD SMELL EXHAUST, SMELL BECAME WORSE AND VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, HE HAD TO HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES WITH HIS SHOULDER UNTIL THE DOOR GAVE WAY, AT THIS TIME THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE, WAS TOLD ALTERNATOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 21, 2000 · fire

“WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 25 AND 30 MPH CONSUMER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND REPAIRED UNKNOWN COMPONENT IN VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 11, 2001 · crash

“AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIRS, VEHICLE WAS CUTTING OFF, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY. CONSUMER TOLD MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST PRIOR TO BRINGING IT IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. *AK THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 8, 2004

1998 Buick LeSabre — common questions

Is the 1998 Buick LeSabre reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 518 complaints put the 1998 model at #2 of 36 LeSabre years. It is one of the LeSabre years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 LeSabre problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (228 complaints), fuel system (80 complaints), electrical system (57 complaints).

Does the 1998 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Buick LeSabre. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Buick LeSabre under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick LeSabre years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LeSabre years to avoid are 2000, 1998, 1997, 2001, 2002, 1999, 1993, 1992, 1995, 1994, 2004, 2003, 1996, 2005, 1990, 1987, 1991. The cleanest record among LeSabre years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.