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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

Steering complaints

25 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2001
Steering

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED STEERING COLUMN ASSUMES A DIFFERENT CENTER POSITION APPROXIMATELY 90% OF THE TIME, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE STEERING MOUNTING BOLTS WAS LOOSE, AND ANOTHER MOUNTING BOLT WAS TWISTED OUT OF POSITION, DEALER REPLACED THE BOLT, AND CORR…

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DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED STEERING COLUMN ASSUMES A DIFFERENT CENTER POSITION APPROXIMATELY 90% OF THE TIME, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE STEERING MOUNTING BOLTS WAS LOOSE, AND ANOTHER MOUNTING BOLT WAS TWISTED OUT OF POSITION, DEALER REPLACED THE BOLT, AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE RACK & PINION BOLT WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900710

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Steering

BOOMERSHINER FAILED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND THE RENTAL AND STILL HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING WITH THE DAMAGED BEHIND THE WHEEL. NOSAFETY DEFECT. *AK (TIRESIZE: 70)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 70 )

NHTSA ODI #742874

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2001
SteeringSuspension

HAD TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WAS INFORMED THAT A BOLT TO RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD BROKEN , AND BUSHINGS HAD WORN OUT. BOLT NUT WAS SITTING THERE, LOOKED LIKE IT WAS WELDED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #879759

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Steering

ATTACHING BOLT (DRIVERS SIDE) HOLDING THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION TO THE CRADLE BROKE, ALLOWING THE RACKAND PINION STEERING TO SHIFT IN THE RIGHT SIDE MOUNING BRACKET. BOLT SHOWED NO STRETCHING OR SHEAR FORCE CAUSING IT TO FAIL. BOLT HARDENED TO 10.9 (ON HEAD OF BOLT) BOLT IS UNAVAILIBLE UNTIL MIDDLE OF MAY DUE TO NUMBER…

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ATTACHING BOLT (DRIVERS SIDE) HOLDING THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION TO THE CRADLE BROKE, ALLOWING THE RACKAND PINION STEERING TO SHIFT IN THE RIGHT SIDE MOUNING BRACKET. BOLT SHOWED NO STRETCHING OR SHEAR FORCE CAUSING IT TO FAIL. BOLT HARDENED TO 10.9 (ON HEAD OF BOLT) BOLT IS UNAVAILIBLE UNTIL MIDDLE OF MAY DUE TO NUMBER CHANGES. (TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG SOMEWHERE ! ). *AK

NHTSA ODI #722223

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

STEERING WHEEL PAINT COMING OFF, REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL NECESSARY. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #552072

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2000
Steering

AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER WOULD FEEL SLACKNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER SAID SHAFT WAS WORN OUT. DEALER REPLACED BOTTOM AND TOP STEERING. DEALER CLAIMED THAT EVENTUALLY IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #857339

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Steering

BROKEN BOLT CAUSED POWER STEERING AND BELT FAILURES. YH

NHTSA ODI #607247

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL OFTEN TIGHTENS UP.

NHTSA ODI #701061

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1997
Steering

THE SECURITY ALARM HORN AND LIGHTS BLINKED AND BLEW OUT WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED AT ALL TIMES OF DAY/NIGHT- WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #526291

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1997
EquipmentPower TrainSeat Belts

A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #603869

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.