Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 194 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports21 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
194 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2005
Tires
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK LESABRE. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ONE WEEK AND A HALF AGO FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES THE STEEL BELTS WERE HANGING OUT. IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. THE BACK TIRES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT USED …
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK LESABRE. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ONE WEEK AND A HALF AGO FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES THE STEEL BELTS WERE HANGING OUT. IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. THE BACK TIRES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT USED THE VEHICLE FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AND PURCHASED IT AS IT WAS. MICHELIN TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO CONTACTED THE PERSON THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND HE SAID THAT THEY WHERE NOT THE SAME TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN HE INSPECTED IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10132876
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DT: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER COOLING LINES OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT INVOLVES THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 96V015000. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE LIGHT THAT LETS ONE KNOW IT IS OVERHEATING DOESN'T COME ON . ALSO, IT IS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. EVERY WEEK HAVE T…
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DT: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER COOLING LINES OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT INVOLVES THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 96V015000. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE LIGHT THAT LETS ONE KNOW IT IS OVERHEATING DOESN'T COME ON . ALSO, IT IS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. EVERY WEEK HAVE TO PUT A QUART AND HALF OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN OCTOBER OF 2004. *AK THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND COOLING SENSOR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10129715
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2004
Electrical SystemFireInjury
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099435
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING, AND NOTICED FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDE…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING, AND NOTICED FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10087870
109,714 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Power Train
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK THE CONSUMER LATER LEARNED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS …
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VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK THE CONSUMER LATER LEARNED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS RECALL IS RELATED TO HER VEHICLE'S FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY SEVEN MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10071704
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND BUMPED IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10071849
58,000 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE FULL IMPACT WAS ABSORBED BY THE SEATBELT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SEVERE NERVE INJURIES TO LOWER BACK, HIPS AND LEGS. VEHICLE WAS ROUTINE MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10040086
85,000 miles · Sep 2, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
THE CRADLE MOUNT BOLTS SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL STEERING. *AK SO IF YOU ARE ON A CURVE, YOU JUST GO STRAIGHT OR WHICH EVER WAY THE WHEELS POINT. THE STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING GEAR. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10031867
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2003
Tires
WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. GENERAL TIRE: SIZE#, DOT# AND MODEL UNKNOWN. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10037894
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2003
Unknown Or Other
WERE THERE ANY RECALLS REGARDING PAINT PEALING AND/OR OVERLY BAD OXIDATION BECAUSE OF THE SEALANT USED ON SOME YEARS. *NLM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA93018 · Fuel Leaks
Opened Jul 13, 1993 · Closed Jun 24, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE93013 · Fuel Leaks
Opened Mar 5, 1993 · Closed Jul 13, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
1993 Buick Lesabre Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year