IllustrationCONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *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 reportsUNINTENDED AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WHEN REACHING 40 MPH ENGINE RAISED LIKE IT WAS KICKING OUT OF GEAR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AS UNINTENDED AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK
SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE CAR HAS GOTTEN HORRENDOUS GAS MILEAGE, THE HORN INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT WORK AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I WAS TOLD "WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM." THE HORN ISSUE NEARLY RESULTED IN A CAR ACCIDENT LASTNIGHT AS THE HORN, AGAIN, …
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SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE CAR HAS GOTTEN HORRENDOUS GAS MILEAGE, THE HORN INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT WORK AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I WAS TOLD "WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM." THE HORN ISSUE NEARLY RESULTED IN A CAR ACCIDENT LASTNIGHT AS THE HORN, AGAIN, DECIDED TO TAKE THE NIGHT OFF. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED DURING COLLISION. YH
CONSUMER PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT TO START UP, AND VEHICLE EXPLODED INTO FLAMES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND SAID THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBLITY IN THE CASE. CONSUMER HAD BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY WITH APROXIMATELY 22.200 MILES ON VEHICLE WARRANTY. *AK
CAR IS CUTTING OUT. NO WARNING. I COULD BE GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR OR COMPLETELY STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. CAR WILL RESTART IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP [TWO DIFFERENT ONES] THREE TIMES AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED TO DATE. I FEEL THIS CAR IN DANGEROUS AND WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME HELP.
NOT MY VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC COLLISION AND THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER DEPLOYMENT. THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SECTION OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE MILD TO MODERATE CRASH. DRIVER ESCAPED APPARENT INJURY. THIS IS THE FIRST FIRE RESULTING FROM AN …
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NOT MY VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC COLLISION AND THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER DEPLOYMENT. THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SECTION OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE MILD TO MODERATE CRASH. DRIVER ESCAPED APPARENT INJURY. THIS IS THE FIRST FIRE RESULTING FROM AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OF WHICH I AM AWARE. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. L.A.CO.F.D. INCIDENT REPORT # 00-055018. *AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35-45MPH AND VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, DRIVERS SIDE DID. *AK
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED. THE DEALER HAS TURNED DOWN THE ROTORS; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. MANUFACTURER HA BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THEN FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE AND EXPLOSION IS INSIDE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS A BACK FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 17-9112-605.. *SLC
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.