The contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and no warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. When the vehicle finally started, it backfired. Once the contact arrived home, he looked under the hood and noticed that the coolant was low. The dealer stated that the repair would cost approximately $600 and that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 93,500 and current mileage was 93,525.

- Medford, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. While driving at any speed, the vehicle shuts off and has to be restarted. The contact also stated that the vehicle caught fire under the hood. All passengers exited the vehicle safely and without injury. The vehicle has been to a service station on two separate occasions, but the failure still persists. The vehicle is no longer able to be driven. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 177,339 and failure mileage was 173,384. Updated 02-01-08. Updated 02/01/08

- Mims, FL, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. While driving 10 mph, the contact heard a noise and lost control of the steering. There were no warning indicators. The vehicle was towed and the dealer stated that the cause of failure was due to the engine mounting carriage disassembling from the vehicle. The manufacturer will not perform the repair free of charge due to the vehicle's age and mileage. The purchase date and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 167,000.

- Kimberly, WI, USA

The consumer's 1997 Buick Lesabre had blown a piston. The consumer was driving the vehicle at 30-35 mph. The vehicle had been regularly maintained with oil changes. The vehicle had not been repaired. The consumer planned on taking the vehicle to an independent repair shop.

- Hockessin, DE, USA

While driving the intake manifold and gasket failed which caused the vehicle to stop running. The consumer believed the failure was clearly an inferior designed part.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

1997 Buick le sabre engine shuddered then stopped.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

Had this plastic maifold warp at highway speed with fluid coming out on to the road and belt failure possibly because of rupture, you have a safety hazard.

- Houston, TX, USA

I had to replace the intake manifold on my Buick Lesabre, at a cost of $264.80 with labor another $180. This has been an ongoing problem as I understand it with GM and they are quite aware of it but have failed to correct the problem.

- Mosinee, WI, USA

The engine was shut off and parked for about five minutes. Consumer noticed smoke coming from the hood. The consumer was unable to extinguish the fire. By the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was totally engulfed in flames. When the vehicle caught fire, it also damaged another vehicle that was parked beside it.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Engine coolant destroyed engine due to the degradation of upper intake mainifold materials around the egr stove pipe. Without warning(no warning lights went on) while on the road coolant entered the pistons through the degradated upper intake manifold and caused engine failure. This could have caused a major accident as power was lost and speed dramatically dropped. Seems to be obvious engine design flaw in 3800 V-6 engines produced by GM in Buick lasabres, riveras, regals, Oldsmobile 98S, 88S. Intrigue, Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix, & Chevrolet luminas, monte carlos over a period of years dating from 1995-1998 when they changed the manifold design. A service bulletin by GM #01-06-01-007A in July 18, 2001 indicated the GM is aware of defect and has since produced a different manifold to replace and repair problem but will not stand behind these engines when they fail without warning. GM has been uncooperative in this matter. All repairs to this car are documented with biliings, etc by certified GM service dept. Including oil changes and preventitive maintenance. This was a well maintained vehicle with a service history that can be documented. I have pictures of the inside of the engine where damage occurred.the GM service dept. That replaced damaged engine indicated that they had 3 other vehicles with the same engine damaged because of coolant leak through the degradation of the intake manifold in that one month time frame. This is a small dealership and they indicated that this was a indicator of a major problem with this component.

- Tyler, MN, USA

The vehicle leaked oil in the consumers garage. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated the shield was made of plastic. He also stated he read these things were made of plastic and could catch fire if the vehicle became hot enough.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

Upper intake manifold cracked resulting in coolant leak into cylinders. Coolant leak caused motor to hydro-lock making vehicle inoperable. Both upper & lower intake manifolds were replaced.

- Merrillv, IN, USA

While driving vehicle, the check engine light came on. It failed to go off. Taken vehicle to a mechanic and had the sensors replaced. The engine problem was the egr valve which caused the vehicle to be sluggish. Took to a different mechanic and the wires and sensors were replaced again. Vehicle taken for test drive and check engine light came on. Restarted vehicle after turning it off and it back fired. Had cracked the plastic intake phebem, which needs to be replaced.

- Dayton, OH, USA

The vehicle was check by a dealership technician. The engine coolant was leaking from underneath the vehicle.

- Plymouth, MN, USA

While at a stop engine locked up. Dealer stated this was caused by intake manifold. Consumer stated the intake manifold gasket failed.

- North Platte, NE, USA

While driving engine check light keeps coming on. This happens intermittently. Took vehicle to dealer, and had vehicle repaired, but problem still exists. Oxygen sensor failed due to antifreeze in intake system. The upper intake plenium was leaking because it had cracked and was replaced.

- Clarksburg, WV, USA

The vehicle stalled without warning while driving due to a blown head gasket, a few months later vehicle stalled again, vehicle was towed to a body shop and mechanice stated that head gasket had blown again and that the motor would need replaced, water pump also failed and was replaced on four occasions.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

The vehicle stalled without warning while driving due to a blown head gasket, a few months later vehicle stalled again, vehicle was towed to a body shop and mechanice stated that head gasket had blown again and that the motor would need replaced, water pump also failed and was replaced on four occasions.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

Engine--oil gasket leak.

- Torrance, CA, USA

The motor mount on the right is defective. Dealer replaced the motor mount because it was missing the rubber bushings that were never installed into the motor mount. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

- Belen, NM, USA