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
What owners actually said
98 reports
70,000 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP DUE TO A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. INSPECTION REVEALED STEEL BRAKE TUBES SEVERELY RUSTED ONLY IN THE AREA OF THE LEAK. LEAK LOCATION IS DIRECTLY BELOW ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT IN THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALL FOUR OUTPUT LINES FROM THE ABS SYSTEM TO THE WHEEL WERE AFFECTED. THE BALANCE OF THE …
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VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP DUE TO A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. INSPECTION REVEALED STEEL BRAKE TUBES SEVERELY RUSTED ONLY IN THE AREA OF THE LEAK. LEAK LOCATION IS DIRECTLY BELOW ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT IN THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALL FOUR OUTPUT LINES FROM THE ABS SYSTEM TO THE WHEEL WERE AFFECTED. THE BALANCE OF THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE EXHIBIT A NORMAL LEVEL OF CORROSION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141990
75,000 miles · Jul 21, 2005
Structure
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
NHTSA ODI #10129532
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2005
Air Bags
1996 BUICK LESABRE BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY.*MR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT 11 AM WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. ON THE SAME DAY AT 2 PM THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION NOR DID THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE TO …
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1996 BUICK LESABRE BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY.*MR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT 11 AM WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. ON THE SAME DAY AT 2 PM THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION NOR DID THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10128047
57,000 miles · Jun 13, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other
WHILE CAR WAS PARKED BUT RUNNING, CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. THE FUEL LINE, FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENDER WERE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10125102
22,000 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP POSITION WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE TOOK OFF FROM 0-45 MPH. CONSUMER RODE THE BRAKES, AND DOWN SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO GAIN CONTROL. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10113654
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WARPED INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10106966
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
42,000 miles · Sep 27, 2004
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10094344
103,920 miles · Mar 2, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
MY 1996 BUICK LESABRE ABS WARNING LIGHT DID NOT LET ME KNOW THAT THE ABS WERE NOT WORKING, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060212
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE UPPER MANIFOLD HAD DETERIORATED OR CRACKED ALLOWING COOLANT FLUID TO ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED. *PH *MR
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.
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.
1996 Buick Lesabre Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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