IllustrationTRANSMISSION SHUDDERS BETWEEN 30 TO 40 MPH. ALSO AT 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HAVE BEEN TOLD MAY NEED TRANSMISSION. CAR ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN DRAINED. DID NOT HELP. PLEASE ADVISE
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
Power Train complaints
33 reportsSUB FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROATED OUT ON THE BACK DRIVE. COMPLETE SAFTY HAZARD NEEDS RECALL
MY CAR JERKS LIKE A FISH TUGGING ON YOUR LINE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND WHEN COMING UP AN INCLINE. IT ALSO HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR THAT I SMELL WHEN RUNNING THE A/C. I SMELL IT OUTSIDE THE CAR AND OCCASIONALLY I SMELL IT INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE SHIFT IN REVERSE, BUT IT DID NOT STAY THERE. INSTEAD IT WENT BACK TO DRIVE AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK ON MY 1997 BUICK LESABRE TRAVELED ABOUT 4 FEET AT HIGH SPEED AND STRUCK A SMALL TREE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. MY INSURANCE PREMIUM WENT UP FOR AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT. …
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I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE SHIFT IN REVERSE, BUT IT DID NOT STAY THERE. INSTEAD IT WENT BACK TO DRIVE AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK ON MY 1997 BUICK LESABRE TRAVELED ABOUT 4 FEET AT HIGH SPEED AND STRUCK A SMALL TREE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. MY INSURANCE PREMIUM WENT UP FOR AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT. CAN YOU GIVE ME THE WEB SITE OF A SIMILAR CAR AND YEAR IN AN ACCIDENT IN 2003 IN CALIFORNIA? THANK YOU, NIKOLAOS (NICK) CARAVASOS *TR
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
THE CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF IN REVERSE AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO. I HAD STARTED THE CAR, DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL (THE BRAKE MUST BE ENGAGED IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR) AND THE CAR SHOT BACK AND WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS RATHER PANICKED AS I WAS LEAVING A CONVE…
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THE CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF IN REVERSE AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO. I HAD STARTED THE CAR, DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL (THE BRAKE MUST BE ENGAGED IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR) AND THE CAR SHOT BACK AND WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS RATHER PANICKED AS I WAS LEAVING A CONVENIENCE STORE AND WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING THE GAS PUMPS, OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. I MANAGED TO BACK THE CAR INTO THE STREET AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN PARK SO IT WOULD STOP. THE GEAR SHIFT WENT INTO THE PARK POSITION, BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IT PROCEEDED ACROSS A BUSY STREET THROUGH A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION AT APPROX.20-30 MPH. AT IT STARTED ACROSS THE STREET, I SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE BRAKES WOULD STILL NOT STOP IT. IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER ROLLING INTO A CURB. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR OTHER THAN TO STEER IT. I HAVE KNOWN THIS TO HAPPEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER GM CARS, BUT ALWAYS IN A FORWARD GEAR. I OWN A 1986 PONTIAC TRANS AM THAT HAS DONE THIS ON OCCASION. I HAVE HAD THAT CAR LOOKED AT BY SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND NONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. GM DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS I CAN FIND NO RECORDS OF RECALLS FOR ANY OF THEIR CARS FOR SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION. PART OF THE PROBLEM MAY BE THAT WHEN IT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE, NO ONE BELIEVES THEM. EVERYONE ASSUMES THEY HAD THEIR FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE TRIED TO PUT MY FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS (WITH THE CAR IN PARK) TO SEE IF THAT COULD BE WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I CAN'T DO IT AS THE GAS PEDAL IS RECESSED FURTHER BACK THAN THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT NO TIME ARE THEY LEVEL WITH EACH OTHER. BY SOME MIRACLE, NO ONE WAS HURT AND THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. I AM GOING TO CHECK WITH VARIOUS BUICK DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER MECHANICS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE EVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT I FEAR IT WILL BE THE SAME AS WITH THE TRANS AM WHERE I WILL GET NO ANSWERS. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FOR THE TRANSMISSION ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COMPLETED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH SHOWED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. THE DEALER REPLACED TWO SOLENOID VALVES. THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS TESTI…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FOR THE TRANSMISSION ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COMPLETED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH SHOWED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. THE DEALER REPLACED TWO SOLENOID VALVES. THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS TESTING WITH THIS LIGHT ILLUMINATING. *AK
HELLO, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR HESITATING GOING UP A SMALL GRADE OR SOMETIMES JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SPARK PLUG AND FIXED IT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. BESIDES A NEW TRANSMISSION, THEY ALSO REPLACED…
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HELLO, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR HESITATING GOING UP A SMALL GRADE OR SOMETIMES JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SPARK PLUG AND FIXED IT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. BESIDES A NEW TRANSMISSION, THEY ALSO REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND PUT NEW BRAKES ON THE FRONT WITH ROTORS. THE RECEIPT FROM THE GARAGE SAYS THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN 1870 TROUBLE CODE. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAD 52,000 MILES ON IT. THE TOTAL COST WAS 4200.00. I ASKED THE GM PEOPLE FOR HELP WITH THIS EXPENSE AS I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WORKING 2 JOBS AND DID NOT GET A REPLY. I TOOK OUT ANOTHER LOAN TO PAY FOR THIS. NOW, WITH ALMOST 80,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME THING AND MY FRIEND WITH A COMPUTER SAYS IT IS THE 1870 TROUBLE CODE (WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON). I CAN NOT AFFORD TO SPEND ANOTHER 4000.00 FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION.
WHEN DRIVING AT OVER 35 MPH TRANSMISSION WILL START TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR OR WILL START SURGING. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT BACKFIRED AND BROKE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO SEVERAL PIECES. I FOUND A RECALL INDICATING WHAT HAD HAPPENED DUE TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. I GAVE THIS INFO TO THE DEALER AT GAMBACORTA BUICK AT 427 W. SEVENTH ST. NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE 19720 TEL. NO 302 323 3026. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FUEL PRESSU…
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UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT BACKFIRED AND BROKE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO SEVERAL PIECES. I FOUND A RECALL INDICATING WHAT HAD HAPPENED DUE TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. I GAVE THIS INFO TO THE DEALER AT GAMBACORTA BUICK AT 427 W. SEVENTH ST. NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE 19720 TEL. NO 302 323 3026. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAK CAUSING THE INTAKE TO CRACK. I HAVE PHOTOS SHOWING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BROKEN IN TWO END TO END ABOUT AN INCH WIDE. THIS SEEMS TO BE MORE THAN A CRACK. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT WAS AN EXPLOSION. IT WAS VERY LOUD INSIDE THE CAR.*AK REFERENCED IN EA02-030
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.