1999 Buick Lesabre: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 209 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (31% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle was brought in for a full fuel line replacement. Technician reported that the body and sub-frame are corroded to the extent that the vehicle should not be driven on the road.”Owner report · Structure · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the fuel pump was replaced. After the repair, the failure persisted and a strong fuel odor was present. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the air bag deployed independently while the vehicle was parked. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the air bag and air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case on the contact's behalf. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. ....updated 0711/16 *bf *cn”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. The contact noticed a fuel odor and observed fuel leakage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2015
“Driving north on avon rd, plainfield in, both air bags deployed for no reason. It blew the drivers hands off the wheel going 45 miles per hour. Did not crash. The passenger has bruises on leg. It happened early evening, still light outside, good weather. No warning what so ever. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“1999 buick lesabre. Consumer writes in regards to defective ignition switch- anti theft wiring issues. *smd the consumer stated the ignition switch had to be replaced. An examination revealed that one of the anti-theft wires was broken and the second wire had the protective insulation coating cracked through to the copper wire. It appeared that rotation of the cylinder had chafed over time and compromised the integrity of both wires and the cause the security dash light to illuminate and the vehicle not to start. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph making a right turn, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,927.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2014
“In approx 2010 my buick lesabre had issues starting and would occasionally stop operating during travel. All ignition functions would cease to work. Towed to buick dealership to resolve and replaced ignition switch. This year a similar action happened where the car would not start. Again at the dealership the ignition switch was replaced. Is this ignition switch issue included in the gm recall? *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, a loud noise was heard and white smoke emitted from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 114,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the brake lines were rusted and leaking. The contact was driving 45 mph when the brakes failed. The contact replaced one brake line. The other three were rusted and seeping through. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000. . ..updated 01-10-14 *bf updated 01/1”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE/LINK ASSEMBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT MANUAL VALVE/LINK KIT, FEATURING A SPRING-TYPE FASTENER.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lesabre by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Buick Lesabre reliable?
NHTSA has 209 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Buick Lesabre. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Buick Lesabre problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Buick Lesabre have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.