1999 Buick LeSabre problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 268 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.4 times the median LeSabre year — the 1999 model ranks #6 of 36 LeSabre years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 25 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 84 reports (31% of the total).

268

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other LeSabre years?

LeSabre NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LeSabre years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Buick LeSabre problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	84	31%	▼ down
Electrical System	31	12%	▼ down
Fuel System	28	10%	▼ down
Brakes	20	7%	▼ down
Suspension	19	7%	— flat
Transmission	15	6%	▼ down
Airbags	13	5%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	10	4%	— flat
Speed Control	9	3%	▲ up
Steering	8	3%	▼ down
Seats	6	2%	▲ up
Body & Structure	6	2%	▲ up
Lighting	5	2%	— flat
Other	5	2%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	5	2%	▼ down
Seat Belts	3	1%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	0%	— flat

Does the 1999 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

99V089000TransmissionApril 26, 1999 · 99,333 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE." A RETAINING CLIP, WHICH SECURES THE MANUAL VALVE TO THE LINKAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETENT LEVER, CAN BECOME LOOSE UNDER A COMBINATION OF POSSIBLE DRIVER SHIFTING MANEUVERS AND ALLOW THE LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE MANUAL VALVE.

Consequence

IF THE LINK DISCONNECTS, THE DRIVER'S INDICATED PRNDL STATE MAY DIFFER FROM THE HYDRAULIC STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE DRIVER SELECTS 'DRIVE' AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN 'REVERSE', A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“SIMPLE FACTS WHEN REAR ENDED THE SEATS ON 1999 BUICK LESABRE BROKE BACK SENDING IN BACK SEAT,SEAT BELT NEARLY KILLED ME , AND THE JACK PLACED ON THE RIGHT WING FLEW IN THE FRONT SEAT...... THEN IN 2002 THE CAR CAUSED A MAJOR EXPLOSION NEARLY KILLING ME WITH A FLYING BUICK SIGN CAUGHT ON FIRE THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 15, 2002 · crash · fire

“THE OWNER WENT OUT TO THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE THEN CONTACTED THE AUTO CLUB AND THEY CAME OUT AND ATTACHED JUMPER CABLES. WHEN THE OWNER TURNED THE IGNITION AS INSTRUCTED BY THE MECHANIC HE IMMEDIATELY HEARD A "BANG" FOLLOWED BY A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS, CONSUMER WAS AWAKENED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 2AM , TO FIND OUT THAT VEHICLE THE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE INSPECTION THOUGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *AK THE ESTIMATED…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 10, 2002 · fire

“THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN IN NATURE. THE FAILURE WAS THE BRAKES ON MY CAR WHICH RESULTED IN A MINOR (NO DAMAGE) ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF STOPPING POWER. THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH (PICTURES AVAILABLE, THE LINES MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE) CAUSING NEARLY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 18, 2009 · crash

“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT DUE TO FAULTY REAR SPRINGS, WHICH RESULTED IN ONE FATALITY AND ONE INJURY. *AK. CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SPRING WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAULTY REAR SUSPENSION WAS THE CAUSE OF HER HUSBAND NOT BEING ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 26, 2001 · crash

1999 Buick LeSabre — common questions

Is the 1999 Buick LeSabre reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 268 complaints put the 1999 model at #6 of 36 LeSabre years. It is one of the LeSabre years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 LeSabre problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (84 complaints), electrical system (31 complaints), fuel system (28 complaints).

Does the 1999 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Buick LeSabre. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Buick LeSabre under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1999 compare to other LeSabre years?

What are the most common 1999 Buick LeSabre problems?

Does the 1999 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1999 Buick LeSabre — common questions

Is the 1999 Buick LeSabre reliable?

What are the most common 1999 LeSabre problems?

Does the 1999 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Is the 1999 Buick LeSabre under NHTSA investigation?

Which Buick LeSabre years should you avoid?

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