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1997 Buick LesabreProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 394 owner complaints about the 1997 Buick Lesabre, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.2× the Lesabre median · #2 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints39478 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage91kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 28, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Buick Lesabre has problems

394 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling11019
Electrical system423
Fuel system, gasoline379
Power train332
Air bags3320
Visibility283
Service brakes, hydraulic272
Steering250
Seat belts223
16 other systems1136

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1997 Buick Lesabre recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Recall 96V-116 · Jul 1, 1996 · 275,811 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 96V-044 · Mar 5, 1996 · 15,122 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN INCORRECT PART IS USED, THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

91kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 33 engine and engine cooling complaints. 67% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 27% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles22under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Lesabre year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lesabre median. How we score

'67'70'71'72'74'75'76'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Buick Lesabre safety ratings

1997 Buick LeSabre 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Buick Lesabre frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Buick Lesabre, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE02050 · closed Oct 22, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What Lesabre owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Complaint 10651641 · Oct 31, 2014 · 130,000 miles
THIS WILL BE 4TH TIME INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS BEING REPLACED. BY FAR THE WORST & MOST EXPENSIVE USED CAR EVER TO OWN. GM'S BLACK EYE. *TR
Complaint 10288861 · Oct 18, 2009 · 75,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. SHE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THEN SMOKE ENGULFED THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 10287204 · Oct 13, 2009 · 99,773 miles

Own a 1997 Lesabre?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.