Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 454 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Buick LeSabre, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 191 | 42% |
| Fuel system | 52 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 35 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 4% |
| Power train | 16 | 4% |
| Suspension | 12 | 3% |
| Steering | 10 | 2% |
| Air bags | 10 | 2% |
| Visibility | 9 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1998 Buick LeSabre. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V090000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. ON FURTHER INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE, BUSHINGS, AND FASTENIN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED THE ODOMETER MILEAGE OF 99,999, IT FAILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTU
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE SUB FRAME (SOMETIMES CALLED ENGINE CRADLE) BUSHINGS, RETAINERS, AND THE SUB FRAME ITSELF WHEREIN THEY MOUNT, ARE DECAYED. SOME BUSHINGS AND RETAINERS ARE COMPLETELY MISSING. HAVING INVESTIGATED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR R
NHTSA complaint: Structure
MY CAR SEEMS TO JUST DIE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT THEM YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT A FEW MINS BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN AND NO BODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE TO YOU
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I WAS DRIVING INTO DRIVE WAY AND HEARD A LOUD THUD THEN NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER. I PUT THE CAR UP ON RAMPS AND ALL FOUR REAR SUB FRAME BUSHINGS WHERE MISSING. THIS COMPONENT HOLDS THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSIO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I CAME HOME AFTER BIBLE STUDY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND GOT UP THURSDAY THEN THE SECURITY LIGHT WENT BLINKING. MY HUSBAND HAD THE KEY IGNITION REPLACE THEN BROUGHT NEW KEY BUT CAR STILL WOULDN'T START SO HAD THE CAR TOWED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Buick LeSabre. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 454 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 191 of them (42%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.