NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 215 owner complaints for the 1999 Buick Lesabre. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (70) and electrical system (29). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO ENGINE THROUGH INTAKE MANIFOLD PLENUM CAUSING EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT ENGINES AND OR PARTS. DANGEROUS IF ENGINE LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. *TR”
“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”
“THE CAR WOULD OCCASIONALLY SMELL LIKE GAS DURING ACCELERATION. IT ALSO SKIPPED FREQUENTLY WHEN GOING UP HILL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE CAR STALLED. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ERUPTED IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS ONLY AFTER THE FIRE THAT WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SYSTEM RECALL IN SEPT. 2004. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A GM DEALER IN OCT. 2004 AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE NOR WAS I MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS SUCH A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeSabre Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 215 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (70), electrical system (29), fuel system, gasoline (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Buick Lesabre at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).