IllustrationBRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER.*AK ABRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS UNIT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. ALL SIX STEEL BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO FOUND CORRODED. *YH
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 reportsON 2 SEPARATE INCIDENCES, THE BATTERY LEAKED ONTO THE CABLE & LEFT ME STRANDED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS & IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE 2 YEARS APART. THE FIRST TIME MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALER & THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME EVEN THO THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MID-SUMMER AND I HAD TO PAY FOR T…
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ON 2 SEPARATE INCIDENCES, THE BATTERY LEAKED ONTO THE CABLE & LEFT ME STRANDED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS & IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE 2 YEARS APART. THE FIRST TIME MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALER & THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME EVEN THO THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MID-SUMMER AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AND THE BATTERY COMPANY SAID THAT THE DEALER WAS AT FAULT FOR THE WAY IT WAS INSTALLED. (TOO TIGHT) I WAS GIVEN A ROYAL RUN-AROUND.
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE/ IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE # P205/P0R15/70R15 CONSUMER NOTIFIED FIRESTONE. *AK BEFORE THE TIRE WAS SEPARATED COMPLETELY, PIECE OF CHROME TRIM WAS RIPPED OFF. DOOR HANDLE ON FRONT PASSENGER DOOR W…
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PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE/ IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE # P205/P0R15/70R15 CONSUMER NOTIFIED FIRESTONE. *AK BEFORE THE TIRE WAS SEPARATED COMPLETELY, PIECE OF CHROME TRIM WAS RIPPED OFF. DOOR HANDLE ON FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS DAMAGED TOO. *YH
FRONT BRAKES WARPED CAUSING FRONT BRAKES TO PULSATE WHEN APPLIED. NLM
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
FUEL PUMP MAKES A LOUD HUMMING OR BUZZING NOISE AT IDLE OR ANY SPEED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. TOKK TO DEALER, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE HEADLAMP CONTROL MODULE. *AK
BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS CONTROLLER TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LEAKING BECAUSE A HOLE THAT WAS RUBBED THROUGH THE LINE AT THE TRANSMISSION SIDE COVER. ALSO ABS LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. OWNER DISCOVERED THE LEAK WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
REPORTING FAULTY BRAKE ROTORS; DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ROTORS COULD NOT BE TURNED BECAUSE OF SCALING AND PITTING / ROTORS NEVER BEEN TURNED BEFORE, AND ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. *AK
THE DISC BRAKE PADS WORN PREMATURELY. NLM
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.