IllustrationWHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION. SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE DASH. *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
What owners actually said
394 reportsTHE 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…
Read full complaint
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 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE DRIVER WAS EVACUATED. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. FIRE DEPARTMENT CO…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE DRIVER WAS EVACUATED. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. FIRE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. *AK
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…
Read full complaint
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
HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT THERE HAZARD LIGHTS ON, AND USE THE LIGHT OF THE MOTORIST IN THE FRONT OF HIM TO SEE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND OTHER COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP WAS NOT SURE THAT THIS WOULD CORR…
Read full complaint
HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT THERE HAZARD LIGHTS ON, AND USE THE LIGHT OF THE MOTORIST IN THE FRONT OF HIM TO SEE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND OTHER COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP WAS NOT SURE THAT THIS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR
COOLANT LEAK AT UPPER INTAKE PLENUM ON 1997 BUICK AT 68000 MILES DEALER STATED THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT ARE NOT HELPING WITH COST OF REPAIRS.$633.64. *AK
I HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY BUICK LESABRE, AT A COST OF $264.80 WITH LABOR ANOTHER $180. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AS I UNDERSTAND IT WITH GM AND THEY ARE QUITE AWARE OF IT BUT HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. AN INDEPENDENT DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
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…
Read full complaint
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.
MECHANIC FOUND ENGINE COOLENT LEAKING FROM THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH IS *PLASTIC*. THE COOLENT WAS ALSO LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE OIL. I STATED THAT SUCH A MAJOR DETERIORTION OR FAILURE AFTER ONLY 44,800 MILES IS ABSURD AND LUDICROUS.
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.