Car was getting harder to start each time- red light (overheating) came on while on a trip- added 4 + qts of water- drove 15 miles- car would not start--added 3 + qts of water--tried several things to try to start--noticed oil level was up-- assumed coolant went into engine- removed 3 front spark plugs--coolant ran out of spark plug openings- car was towed 60 miles- intake manifold (warped), gaskets, & thermostat were replaced- starter replaced due to broken housing (from attempting to start water logged engine)- total expense approx $ 1,000

- Murrysville, PA, USA

This concerns a defective design of the intake manifold used by GM on 1998, 1999, 2000, and some 2001 Buick Lesabre's equipped with the 3800 series II V6 engine. Following the failure and resultant hydraulic engine lock of a neighbor's 1999 Buick Lesabre with approximately 80,000 miles on the odometer, I visited our local Buick dealer (lee chevorlet/Buick - Washington, nc) to discuss what appears from research done via the internet to be a frequently encountered problem on these vehicles so equipped. It seems that a failure of the intake manifold is a very common problem on vehicles with about 80K miles on them, my wife drives such a vehicle - a Buick Lesabre limited purchased from lee chevorlet, Washington, nc on 2/24/99 it currently has 78,000 miles on the odometer. The dealership owner, and the service manager freely revealed that this is a serious and chronic problem with these vehicles and is the direct result of a poorly designed part used on them. They are prone to failure at about the 80K mile point which results from an internal (not apparent) failure due to materials degradation. The result is very frequently the discharge of engine coolant into the cylinder(s) resulting in a hydraulic lock up with frequently disastrous results involving not only an engine seizure while in operation but also associated significant engine parts damage. Their recommendation for a remedy to handle this dangerous situation is to have the involved parts (top and bottom intake manifolds) replaced with "the GM replacement design resulting from the problem. These vehicles are all +/- 10 years old and have outlived their original 3yr/36,000 mile warranty. They indicated that the only way to perhaps get GM to participate in a remediation of this problem is to speak with the customer assistance group which I did yesterday. They deny existence of the problem and will provide no assistance in the $800-900 repair. Failure of this part in operation could be fatal.

- Chocowinity, NC, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that her vehicle shuts off and fails to restart. However, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off and then restarted immediately. Later that same day, the contact stated that the vehicle would not restart for approximately an hour and a half. While idling at a traffic light, the vehicle shut off and took 15 minutes before it restarted. The failure continued to recur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an electrical mechanic shop, but they could not identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was also taken to Firestone and repaired; however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 55,000 and current mileage was 58,439.

- Columbus, GA, USA

Wife's 1999 Buick Lesabre with 90,000 miles on it was burning antifreeze in engine. I was told by a certified GM mechanic to try tightening throttle body mounting nuts because being too loose was a common problem from the factory. Did that 6 months ago and it seemed to help even though the manifold throttle body mounting surface was warped due to the engine heat. Over the past month the car became increasingly hard to start, burned large amounts of antifreeze, and would stall intermittently. On March 13, 2008 I took the intake manifold off the engine and found antifreeze in the intake duct going to the air filter and antifreeze pooled in the intake manifold. This was caused by two separate defects, the upper intake manifold gasket not sealing properly to the lower intake manifold (was leaking in two different spots) and the leaking throttle body to intake manifold gasket (was leaking coolant into the intake duct to air filter), which was caused by excess heat from the egr pipe warping the upper manifold. Another serious problem with the upper intake manifold was the heat from the egr pipe eroded the manifold to a point that it would cause leaking coolant to enter the intake manifold in the near future. This seems to me to be a safety concern not only from a standpoint of the car stalling and becoming hard to steer but I work in the outdoors in remote locations in sub zero weather in the winter. I am always prepared for the possibility that my car won't start and I will have to walk miles to the nearest phone but somebody else may not be prepared and it looks like this defect might be dangerous if not fixed. I replaced the upper intake manifold and gaskets with an aftermarket one and the car is fine now.

- Bruce, WI, USA

1999 Buick Lesabre with stalling problems. Consumer stated that the vehicle began to stall while turning or stopping. He states that no codes showed when the vehicle was tested. The consumer stated several parts were replaced on the vehicle such as; the fuel pump, and battery but the vehicle continued to stall.

- Littleton, CO, USA

1998 Buick Lesabre. Consumer states that the upper manifold plenum which Buick changed to plastic overheated and melted causing a hole which allowed antifreeze to combine with the oil.

- Hilton , NY, USA

1999 Buick Lesabre plastic intake manifold failed.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

1999 Buick Lesabre V6 3.8L engine, 82,000 mi. Had been experiencing some surging, no other symptoms. 8/05 drove home, parked car, went out next morning and auto would not start. Towed to dealer service dept. Who found "water in cylinders". used "stop leak" as temporary repair. 11/05 engine again locked, unable to start. Water in cylinders, water in oil. Contacted Buick customer service who suggested engine replacement or purchase of new vehicle. Independent mechanic informed me of "class action" suit due to faulty manifold intake and other engine defects. Have contacted attorney handling the suit. Suit involves "K" series 3.8L engines, various models and years. For now, I need a new engine. As realtor and mortgage lender, I work through my car!

- Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA

While driving the vehicle stalled. The driver pulled over and turned the vehicle off, but was unable to restart it. Vehicle was then towed to the dealership, but the mechanic determined that the problem could not be duplicated. Vehicle would stall while driving at any speed. The fuel pressure regulator was replaced under recall 03054 and the ignition control module was also replace but neither of these repairs corrected the problem.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

The vehicle's engine blew while the consumer was slowing for a stop light. The vehicle displayed a hard start and was missing. The coil pack was replaced. The intake plentum leaked water into the cylinders.

- Chestertown, MD, USA

While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle. Had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated or resolved.

- Erie, PA, USA

Simple facts when rear ended the seats on 1999 Buick Lesabre broke back sending in back seat, seat belt nearly killed me, and the jack placed on the right wing flew in the front seat...... then in 2002 the car caused a major explosion nearly killing me with a flying Buick sign caught on fire the tires.....etc problem....intake manifold the car only had little mileage and yes was well maintained

- Gatineau, UN, USA

While parking consumer noticed coolant leaking from underneath the vehicle. Consumer started up the vehicle and engine check light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that valve gasket needed to be replaced due to a worn out part.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

While parking consumer noticed that coolant was leaking from underneath the vehicle. Consumer started up the vehicle, and engine check light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that valve gasket needed to be replaced due to a worn out part.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

While traveling at 30mph, the vehicle backfired. The consumer pulled vehicle over and looked under the hood and noticed gas spraying over the engine, which was coming from the gas line. The gas line had blown. Immediately after, the vehicle died. The dealer was contacted. Ts scc

- New York Mills, MN, USA