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 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2002
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH ON ROUGH PAVEMENT, VEHICLE WAS SKIPPING LANES WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL.*AK CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING AND WENT THROUGH A ROUGH SECTION OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE'S REAR END BEGAN GOING UP AND DOWN FORCING CONSUMER TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKES, THIS ACTION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER SLIGHTLY F…
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WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH ON ROUGH PAVEMENT, VEHICLE WAS SKIPPING LANES WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL.*AK CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING AND WENT THROUGH A ROUGH SECTION OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE'S REAR END BEGAN GOING UP AND DOWN FORCING CONSUMER TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKES, THIS ACTION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER SLIGHTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE, CONSUMER RELASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE TYPE OF SUSPENSION THE VEHICLE HAS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8011021
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
A HOLE WAS CREATED IN THE UPPER PLENUM MANIFOLD EMISSION SYSTEM BY THE EGR VALVE. SO I WAS TOLD. IS THIS COVERED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT EMISSIONS SYSTEMS WARRANTY? BUICK SAID ONLY THE CATALITIC (SP) CONVERTER IS COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #761878
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Tires
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED. THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. MOUNTED ON A 1997, BUICK LESABRE, 30000 MILES, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.*AK CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE REMAINING TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8008172
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2002
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainFire
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
NHTSA ODI #760595
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED DUE TO ANTIFREEZE IN INTAKE SYSTEM. THE UPPER INTAKE PLENIUM WAS LEAKING BECAUSE IT HAD CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8006850
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002
Air Bags
INTERMITTENTLY HORN DOESN'T BLOW. DEALER DIAGNOSED AIR BAG AS THE CAUSE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *YH
NHTSA ODI #8006189
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002
Visibility
FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8006165
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
ANTIFREEZE GAUGE INDICATES THAT IT IS LOW. DRIVER FEELS THERE IS A LEAK. TOOK TO VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT UPPER/LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8004855
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THIS 1997 BUICK LE SABRE , IN VERY GOOD CONDITION , EXPLODED WITH A FIREBALL AND SENDING PLASTIC "SHRAPNEL" AND ENGINE COVER PARTS OUT TO A RADIUS OF 24 FEET. THANK GOD NONE OF THE THREE PEOPLE TRYING TO START THE CAR WITH THE HOOD UP WERE STANDING OVER THE ENGINE BAY. THE RESULTING REPAIRS WERE $700 AND MY LONG TIME EXTREME…
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THIS 1997 BUICK LE SABRE , IN VERY GOOD CONDITION , EXPLODED WITH A FIREBALL AND SENDING PLASTIC "SHRAPNEL" AND ENGINE COVER PARTS OUT TO A RADIUS OF 24 FEET. THANK GOD NONE OF THE THREE PEOPLE TRYING TO START THE CAR WITH THE HOOD UP WERE STANDING OVER THE ENGINE BAY. THE RESULTING REPAIRS WERE $700 AND MY LONG TIME EXTREMELY COMPETENT GROUP OF MECHANICS WERE ALL BAFFLED AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY OR HOW SUCH A THING WAS EVEN POSSIBLE ON SUCH A SYSTEM (I.E. LATE MODEL FUEL INJECTION , STARTING A COLD ENGINE. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-030
NHTSA ODI #758801
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2002
Steering
POWER STEERING PUMP FELL OFF THE MOUNT. ONE OF THREE BOLTS WAS BACKED OFF AND THE OTHER TWO BOLTS WERE SEVERED.*AK
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.
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.
1997 Buick Lesabre Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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