2000 Buick LeSabre ltd from North America - Comments

Intake manifold is made of phenolic resin - a very old plastic material. It warps leaking antifreeze into the cylinders - essentially bleeding superheated steam into the guts of the engine. Factory recall fix (put lock tight on three bolts) doesn't work. Intake manifolds had to be replaced at 35,000 miles. "Permanently lubricated" tie rods also had to be replaced at 35,000 miles. Both these problems are common, according to the dealer service supervisor. He relates that many engines have been replaced by the dealership because of the intake manifold problem, and that no design changes to remedy this problem have been made in the model years 2000-2004. Cheap plastic part in power window assembly breaks with slightest pressure. Replacing the entire assembly is costly (approximately $500 with labor.) Air conditioning ducts to back seat pull apart and cannot be kept connected.

Car compares favorably with most GM products.

Review is on the money. I own a 2000 Buick Le Sabre. Power window regulators must be replaced as much as engine oil. Get ready to Replace brake pads every 15,000 miles as well. Replace a plastic intake manifold every 20,000 miles. I have replaced all 4 window regulators at the cost of $304.00 including tax for just the part. I perform the labor myself. My car has just over 20,000 miles on it. I have to dump approximately $2,000 a year into it just to keep it together. Also there is no revision to the replacement part to prevent this from happening again. This is GM's cash cow. Why should they make good for it? Never again will I buy from GM.

All complaints are right on the money. My 2000 lesabre had a oil pan gasket leak, and a window motor burned out, all in the first 2 months of ownership. Needless to say i traded it in for a corolla. No more buicks here.

I also have had repairs on both the upper & lower manifold intake gaskets both within the last 8 months. Dealer mechanics say it is a common problem. Uncalled for on a vehicle with less than 36,000 miles! Also had problems with the connection to the rear seat air flow, power windows not working, water leak around window, heated seat failure, etc. Dream car has become a nightmare!