IllustrationANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES BUT HIT OTHER VEHICLE ON RIGHT FRONT. UPON IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS JAMMED IN SEAT, AND UNABLE TO GET OUT. VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AN POWDER SUBSTANCE WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S EYES AND THROAT TO BE IRRITATED.*AK
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
What owners actually said
98 reportsWINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED THREE TIMES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED ON EACH OCCASION. *AK
BRAKE LINE RUBBING AGAINST TRANSFER CASE, CAUSING A HOLE IN STEEL LINE. *AK
CONSUMER STATES BATTERY EXPLODED, AND REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM MANUFACTURER.*JB
A CRACK IN THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK, ALSO CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND TO SHAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *SLC
WHEN VEHICLE HIT A DEER, THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS INJURED BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER, DRIVER RECEIVED RED MARKS, WHICH LOOKED LIKE BURNS, ON BOTH ARMS, PASSENGER LEGS WERE BADLY BRUISED, ALSO THE SMELL AND THE AMOUNT OF POWER RELEASE FROM THE AIR BAGS MADE IT HARD TO BREATHE.
THE GENERAL (TPCSPEC10T2MS) TIRES TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE SIDEWALL. *MJS
A DETERIORATING PLENUM WAS CAUSING COOLANT TO GET INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK THE HEAT FROM THE EGR VALVE BURNS A HOLE INSIDE THE WALL OF PLANAM ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO SUCK COOLANT INTO CYLINDERS AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN ACCID…
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A DETERIORATING PLENUM WAS CAUSING COOLANT TO GET INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK THE HEAT FROM THE EGR VALVE BURNS A HOLE INSIDE THE WALL OF PLANAM ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO SUCK COOLANT INTO CYLINDERS AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *YH
I HAD A PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS CAR IN 1996, AFTER ABOUT 12,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENT FAILURE OCCURED AS I WAS STARTING TO GO UP A STEEP GRADE. CAR SHUDDERED, AND ENGINE REVED WITHOUT ANY INCREASE IN SPEED. THERE WAS LOSS OF DRIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN ENGINE AND WHEELS. I DOWNS…
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I HAD A PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS CAR IN 1996, AFTER ABOUT 12,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENT FAILURE OCCURED AS I WAS STARTING TO GO UP A STEEP GRADE. CAR SHUDDERED, AND ENGINE REVED WITHOUT ANY INCREASE IN SPEED. THERE WAS LOSS OF DRIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN ENGINE AND WHEELS. I DOWNSHIFTED TO LOWER GEAR MANUALLY, AND MANAGED TO KEEP CAR MOVING FORWARD. AFTER REACHING TOP OF GRADE, I RESUMED DRIVING IN HIGH GEAR. AS I WOULD START ON SLIGHT UPGRADES, OR TRY TO ACCELERATE SPEED, ENGINE WOULD REV TEMPORARILY WITHOUT ACCELERATION OF CAR. AFTER STOPPING ON SIDE OF ROAD TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID, I RESUMED TRANVEL. PROBLEM SEEMED TO RESOLVE ITSELF, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME "HUNTING" OF THE TRANSMISSION AS IT UPSHIFTED GEARS. WHEN I RETURNED TO HOME AREA, I TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, PLANETARY GEAR HAS BROKEN OFF AND "GROUND UP" TRANSMISSION. NEED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS SECOND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE,
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY @ 60 MPH, HEARD POPPING NOISE AND FELT THUMP UNDER CAR. AS ACCELERATED AGAIN, ENGINE REVS INCREASED W/O ANY INCREASE IN SPEED. ENGINE DID NOT SEEM TO BE ENGAGED WITH TRANSMISSION. MANUALLY DOWN SHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR. ENGINE REENGAGED WITH DRIVE TRAIN. SHIFTED BACK TO 4TH (D), LOSS OF ENGAGEMENT. TOOK CAR T…
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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY @ 60 MPH, HEARD POPPING NOISE AND FELT THUMP UNDER CAR. AS ACCELERATED AGAIN, ENGINE REVS INCREASED W/O ANY INCREASE IN SPEED. ENGINE DID NOT SEEM TO BE ENGAGED WITH TRANSMISSION. MANUALLY DOWN SHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR. ENGINE REENGAGED WITH DRIVE TRAIN. SHIFTED BACK TO 4TH (D), LOSS OF ENGAGEMENT. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, INFORMED THAT "PLANETARY GEAR" HAD FAILED, AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY.
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.