Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
209Complaints
2Recalls
19Crashes
20Fires
19Injured
2Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (18.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
38 · 18.2%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling
15 · 7.2%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
14 · 6.7%
Recalled
Recall 99V089000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
13 · 6.2%
not available
—
Electrical System
12 · 5.7%
not available
—
Air Bags:frontal
7 · 3.3%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE6 · 2.9%
SUSPENSION5 · 2.4%
Percentages are the share of the 209 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
IF THE LINK DISCONNECTS, THE DRIVER'S INDICATED PRNDL STATE MAY DIFFER FROM THE HYDRAULIC STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE DRIVER SELECTS 'DRIVE' AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN 'REVERSE', A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND THEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. DT”NHTSA complaint 770542 — filed 12/06/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE WHICH MAY HAVE STARTED ON THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, CLAIM 36-A176-319. *SLC”NHTSA complaint 6900844 — filed 01/17/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE WHICH MAY HAVE STARTED ON THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, CLAIM 36-A176-319. *SLC”NHTSA complaint 6900844 — filed 01/17/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Buick Lesabre?
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 38 of 209 NHTSA complaints (18.2%), followed by engine and engine cooling (15), power train:automatic transmission (14), engine and engine cooling:engine (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1999 Buick Lesabre have?
209 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 20 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Does the 1999 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 99V089000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Buick Lesabre's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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