IllustrationGASKET AND EGR TUBE FAILURE CAUSING PLENUM AND UPPER INTAKE LEAKAAGE CAUSING "HYDRO-LOCK'. *AK
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 →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
50–25K
1225–50K
1850–75K
2175–100K
29100–150K
21150K+
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 reportsI HAVE A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. I HAD TO HAVE OVER $1600 IN REPAIRS DONE ON THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH A 1998 LESABRE HAS A RECALL ON. WHY, WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS ON 1997 IS IT NOT RECALLED AS WELL? IT'S A RECURRING PROBLEM TO THE POINT THAT THEY REDESIGNED THE MANIFOLDS (WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE LOWER …
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I HAVE A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. I HAD TO HAVE OVER $1600 IN REPAIRS DONE ON THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH A 1998 LESABRE HAS A RECALL ON. WHY, WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS ON 1997 IS IT NOT RECALLED AS WELL? IT'S A RECURRING PROBLEM TO THE POINT THAT THEY REDESIGNED THE MANIFOLDS (WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE LOWER MANIFOLD). TWO DEALERS MENTIONED THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SAME PROBLEM IS COVERED FOR A 1998 AND NOT A 1997. MY CAR ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT, WORK WAS PREFORMED BY A BUICK/GMC DEALER. IS THERE ANY WAY THE RECALL CAN EXTEND TO ONE PRIOR YEAR?*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMMENCED TO RUN ROUGHLY. VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND FOUND COOLANT MISSING BECAUSE OF DESIGN DEFECT IN PART CAUSED FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE 3ENGINE TO SEIZE AND AN OVERHAUL TO BE NEEDED. POSSIBLE RECALL SCRAPPED BECAUSE PROBLEM WAS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALE…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMMENCED TO RUN ROUGHLY. VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND FOUND COOLANT MISSING BECAUSE OF DESIGN DEFECT IN PART CAUSED FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE 3ENGINE TO SEIZE AND AN OVERHAUL TO BE NEEDED. POSSIBLE RECALL SCRAPPED BECAUSE PROBLEM WAS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *TC
WHILE DRIVING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. *NM THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS CLEARLY AN INFERIOR DESIGNED PART. *JB
CONSUMER NOTICE D WHITE SMOKE AND LOSS OF COOLANT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
1997 BUICK LE SABRE ENGINE SHUDDERED THEN STOPPED.*MR
HAD THIS PLASTIC MAIFOLD WARP AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH FLUID COMING OUT ON TO THE ROAD AND BELT FAILURE POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF RUPTURE ,YOU HAVE A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LEAK IN THE UPPER PLENUM MANIFOLD. UPON PERFORMING A ROUTINE SERVICE, THE UPPER PLENUM MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. THE ANTIFREEZE WAS MIXING WITH THE ENGINE OIL. THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ENGINE SEIZING UP IF THE LEAKED HAD GONE UNNOTICED. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO REPLACE THE…
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THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LEAK IN THE UPPER PLENUM MANIFOLD. UPON PERFORMING A ROUTINE SERVICE, THE UPPER PLENUM MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. THE ANTIFREEZE WAS MIXING WITH THE ENGINE OIL. THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ENGINE SEIZING UP IF THE LEAKED HAD GONE UNNOTICED. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO REPLACE THE PLENUM MANIFOLD WITH A NEWER DESIGNED MANIFOLD. THE ENGINE IS A 3800 SERIES. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT REACHED HIGH TEMPERATURES DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. COOLANT SEEPED INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INDICATED IT WILL COST OVER $1.000,00. THE INDEPENDENT SHOP WILL REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR HALF OF THE PRICE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AND STAR…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT REACHED HIGH TEMPERATURES DUE TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. COOLANT SEEPED INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INDICATED IT WILL COST OVER $1.000,00. THE INDEPENDENT SHOP WILL REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR HALF OF THE PRICE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AND STARTED MISSING. THE SERVICE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION) VALVE/CONTROL SOLENOID. WHEN THE PART WAS REPLACED, THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND CRACKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. FOLLOWING THIS PROBLEM, THE OXYGEN SENSOR THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED, FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT GM COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. RECALL# PE02050. *SC
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.
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
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.