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1997 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lesabre years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Buick Lesabre are substantially higher than the model-year median of 24.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

106 reports with mileage · 288 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 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports31 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

110 reports
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130,000 miles · Oct 31, 2014
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10651641

75,000 miles · Oct 18, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS WILL BE 4TH TIME INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS BEING REPLACED. BY FAR THE WORST & MOST EXPENSIVE USED CAR EVER TO OWN. GM'S BLACK EYE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288861

99,773 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. SHE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THEN SMOKE ENGULFED THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. SHE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THEN SMOKE ENGULFED THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, YET NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99773. UPDATED 11/3/09 *CN UPDATED 11/06/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10287204

172,000 miles · Jun 1, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT SPUTTERED, JUMPED, BACKFIRED, AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUMES AND SMELLED OF GASOLINE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ORANGE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNIT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT SPUTTERED, JUMPED, BACKFIRED, AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUMES AND SMELLED OF GASOLINE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ORANGE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT ONLY LASTED FIVE DAYS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MECHANIC TOWED HER VEHICLE TO THE SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

NHTSA ODI #10272539

153,000 miles · Mar 6, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HALF OF THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS MISSING. HE ADDED MORE RADIATOR FLUID AND NOTICED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HALF OF THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS MISSING. HE ADDED MORE RADIATOR FLUID AND NOTICED THAT FLUID CONTINUE TO DISAPPEAR IN THE VEHICLE EVERY FOUR DAYS. AFTER NUMEROUS REFILLS OF RADIATOR FLUID, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE MAIN GAS LINE WAS LEAKING, WHICH CAUSED THE STRONG ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 153,000.

NHTSA ODI #10260930

13,000 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE EXPLODED WITH A VERY LOUD NOISE. HE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE ENGINE. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE COVER WERE SHATTERED INTO MANY …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE EXPLODED WITH A VERY LOUD NOISE. HE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE ENGINE. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE COVER WERE SHATTERED INTO MANY PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE NEVER SAW A VEHICLE WITH THIS TYPE OF DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE SHOP AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #10256316

93,500 miles · Jul 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED, IT BACKFIRED. ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME, HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED, IT BACKFIRED. ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME, HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $600 AND THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,525.

NHTSA ODI #10233046

115,366 miles · Jul 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING ON THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING ON THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,366.

NHTSA ODI #10232943

99,000 miles · May 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTIFREEZE AND NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BECOMING HOTTER. HE THEN NOTICED STEAM UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE C…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTIFREEZE AND NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BECOMING HOTTER. HE THEN NOTICED STEAM UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10228350

95,000 miles · Mar 17, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED WITH FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED WITH FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE ABOUT 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10221467

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.

96V044000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Mar 5, 1996

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE INCORRECT SAFETY BELT AND/OR SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ENDS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN INCORRECT PART IS USED, THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.

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.