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1996 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Buick Lesabre do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 24.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

30 reports with mileage · 68 unknown

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

Steering complaints

4 reports
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102,000 miles · Sep 6, 2008
SteeringStructure

THE GROMMETS AND/OR WASHERS THAT HOLD UP THE ENGINE FRAME CRADLE RUSTED OUT AND ALLOWED THIS PART TO DROP THROUGH THE RETAINING BOLTS, ONCE THIS HAPPENED THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR 60 MPH ON A STATE HIGHWAY THIS WOULD HAVE TURNED INTO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS SITTING AT A …

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THE GROMMETS AND/OR WASHERS THAT HOLD UP THE ENGINE FRAME CRADLE RUSTED OUT AND ALLOWED THIS PART TO DROP THROUGH THE RETAINING BOLTS, ONCE THIS HAPPENED THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR 60 MPH ON A STATE HIGHWAY THIS WOULD HAVE TURNED INTO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT AND THE MOMENT I ACCELERATED I HEARD A VERY LOUD METALLIC THUD/SOUND, WHICH I ASSUME WAS THE CRADLE DROPPING DOWN. I'M AMAZED THAT THIS ALL HAPPENED WITH ZERO WARNING THAT THEY WERE ANY ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, MEANING NO LOOSENESS, NO VIBRATION, NO SENSORY CHANGES IN HOW THE STEERING FELT BUT ALL IN A MATTER OF 2 SECONDS, A LOUD NOISE AND THEN I COULDN'T STEER OR GUIDE THE CAR. I HIT THE BRAKES BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO TURN RIGHT AND THE CAR WAS MOVING LEFT SO I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST AND I BELIEVE THAT THE CORROSION WAS ADVANCED DUE TO ALL THE SALT THAT IS PLACED ON THE ROADS TO MELT THE ICE/SNOW DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. I'M WRITING THIS IN HOPE THAT OTHERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND POSSIBLY HAVE THE CONDITION OF THEIR CRADLES CHECKED OUT TO AVOID LOSING THEIR STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241173

95,000 miles · Oct 6, 2004
Steering

WHEN PARKING BOLTS SHREDDED OFF THE FRONT RACK AND PINION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10095171

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Electrical SystemSteeringTires

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. ALSO, BOLTS THAT HOLD RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER IT APPEARED VEHICLE WAS TOO OVERTORQUED FROM THE FACTORY. *AK BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND WORN ON SIDE EDGES. 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE RACK TO THE FR…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. ALSO, BOLTS THAT HOLD RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER IT APPEARED VEHICLE WAS TOO OVERTORQUED FROM THE FACTORY. *AK BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND WORN ON SIDE EDGES. 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE RACK TO THE FRAME ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, ONE BOLT HAD BROKEN OFF. BATTERY WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED CORROSION IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTER, DEALER HAD TO REMOVE ALL CABLE INSULATION AND REPLACE POSITIVE CABLE BOLT AND BATTERY, LEAK CAUSED VEHICLE NOT TO START. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #863958

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 1997
Steering

VEHICLE DRIFTS TO RIGHT AND TIRES WEAR UNEVENLY, TRIED TO FIX THREE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WORKED ON THE VEHICLE, SUGGESTED THAT STEERING RACK WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTY THAT MECHANIC HAD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM AN ALL-WHEEL ALIGNMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #807036

Official recalls

2

96V116000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Jul 1, 1996

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

95V204000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Oct 23, 1995

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

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

EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.