1998 Buick LeSabre
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 204 of 400 complaints (51%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 394 in 1997 to 400 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100 | 3,100 | 2,950 | 2,950 | 3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444 | 444 | 423 | 423 | 444 | |
| Complaints filed | 98 | 394 | 400 | 209 | 669 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 26 | 15 | 19 | 26 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 31 | 43 | 20 | 30 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 24 | 9 | 19 | 24 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Buick LeSabre have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Buick LeSabre?
Engine: 204 of 400 NHTSA complaints (51%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Buick LeSabre get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Buick LeSabre?
EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 17 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 204 | 1 | 29 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 76 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical | 52 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 27 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 16 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 15 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY · Campaign 04V090000 · Mar 1, 2004
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.