IllustrationTHE SUBFRAME RUSTED AND DROPED OUT OF THE CAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE STEERING AND SENDING IT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC . *TT
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lesabre years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
525–50K
550–75K
475–100K
12100–150K
2150K+
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
Structure complaints
6 reports1. WHILE DRIVING A BUICK LESABRE ON DRY, SMOOTH, HARD-SURFACE ROAD... IN AN INSTANT... 2. ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP WITH BRAKES. NO DEATH, NO INJURY, NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE 3. THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WERE FOUND BROKEN... THIS ALLOWED THE STEERING MECHANISM TO BECOM…
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1. WHILE DRIVING A BUICK LESABRE ON DRY, SMOOTH, HARD-SURFACE ROAD... IN AN INSTANT... 2. ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP WITH BRAKES. NO DEATH, NO INJURY, NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE 3. THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WERE FOUND BROKEN... THIS ALLOWED THE STEERING MECHANISM TO BECOME DISCONNECTED.... THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED, THE MECHANISM WAS CONNECTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE 4. I CONTACTED THE PEOPLE AT BUICK 25 MAY.... AFTER FOUR DAYS OF DELAYS, THEY INFORMED ME OF THEIR DISINTEREST IN THIS CRITICAL FAILURE, REGARDLESS OF IT'S CERTAINTY TO RESULT IN FATALITIES.... PLEASE DISSEMINATE AN IMMEDIATE ALERT/RECALL/NOTICE/OTHER FYI..... YOUR FORM IS ENTITLED 'COMPLAINT'..... UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE, FACTUAL REPORT, NOT A COMPLAINT. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FOUR REAR WASHERS WERE RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE AND TRANSAXLE FRAME TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FOUR REAR WASHERS WERE RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE AND TRANSAXLE FRAME TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED FOUR UPPER AND LOWER WASHERS AND ISOLATORS, IN ADDITION TO FOUR BOLTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,620 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,670. UPDATED 12/07/07
DT: THE MOUNTS ON THE ENGINE CRADLE BROKE AND DROPPED AND STEERING DISENGAGED. THE RACK AND PINION FELL WITHIN THE ENGINE. OWNER WAS IN A PARKING LOT DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SPEED WAS BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE OWNER WILL NOT BE GETTING ANY HELP RES…
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DT: THE MOUNTS ON THE ENGINE CRADLE BROKE AND DROPPED AND STEERING DISENGAGED. THE RACK AND PINION FELL WITHIN THE ENGINE. OWNER WAS IN A PARKING LOT DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SPEED WAS BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE OWNER WILL NOT BE GETTING ANY HELP RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM TODAY. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 20, 2005. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE 4 REAR MOUNTS ON THE ENGINE CRADLE BROKE. THE OWNER WAS HAVING THIS REPAIRED EVENTUALLY. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CONSUMER WAS WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS RELEVANT TO THE COMPLAINT. ALL THE INFORMATION COLLECTED IS WHAT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAS WISH TO PROVIDE. THE OWNER WAS ON THE PHONE WITH BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CONTACTED THE OWNERS DEALER AND TOLD THE OWNER THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEND ANYONE TO THE OWNERS HOME TO EXAMINE THE DAMAGE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK LID FLIES UP WITH OUT INDICATIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Official recalls
296V116000 · 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
2EA02030 · 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.