MYRModel Year Report

1998 Buick Lesabre

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Buick Lesabre
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Lesabre Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 5 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 44 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 47 complaints 1990 1991: 30 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 196 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 178 complaints 1996: 98 complaints 1997: 394 complaints 1998: 400 complaints 1998 1999: 209 complaints 2000: 669 complaints 2001: 328 complaints 2002: 310 complaints 2002 2003: 164 complaints 2004: 162 complaints 2005: 77 complaints 2006: 3 complaints 2006
1998: 400 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19810
19821
19831
19845
19855
198616
198744
198821
198927
199047
199130
1992191
1993196
1994168
1995178
199698
1997394
1998400
1999209
2000669
2001328
2002310
2003164
2004162
200577
20063

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 51%

51% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 203 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED SOME PARTS WHILE VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030307

THE BATTERY WAS LOW, TRIED STARTING THE MOTOR A FEW TIMES IN THE MORNING. AFTER WAITING ALL DAY, CHARGED THE BATTERY BACK UP TO NORMAL AND STARTED THE CAR. A LOUD BANG AND FLASH WAS NOTED AND THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030227

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 18%

18% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 71 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing delivery and carburetor system.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WE PREFORMED A O&C ON A 1998 LASABRE FIRE, VERY MILD ENGINE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED AT THE FUEL RAIL FUEL INLET PORT AND WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR FUEL HOSE CONNECTOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030108

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 52 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and starter assembly.

CRASH FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180826

Also filed under ENGINE

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 400
I 20020613 — PE (closed 20021022)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20040630 — fuel system, gasoline

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 T

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.

Campaign 04V090000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Buick Lesabre — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (203 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (71 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (52 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V090000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1991 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 1997 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Buick Lesabre reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Buick Lesabre is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Lesabre?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Buick Lesabre have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.