IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD THUMP NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE LOST ALL STEERING POWER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120000.
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A COOLANT LEAK. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REMOVE THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND BEGAN TO STALL ONLY IN THE MOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A COOLANT LEAK. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REMOVE THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE COOLANT LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND BEGAN TO STALL ONLY IN THE MORNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PAID $850 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A THIRD MECHANIC WHO ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,844. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,212.
ENGINE CRADLE SUPPORT WASHERS RUST OUT CAUSING THE SUPPORT TO FALL DOWN WHEN LEAVING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND. THE HORN CONTINUED TO SOUND UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE HOOD WAS LIFTED. UPON CLOSING THE HOOD THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND AGAIN AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND. THE HORN CONTINUED TO SOUND UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE HOOD WAS LIFTED. UPON CLOSING THE HOOD THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND AGAIN AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT VEHICLE CARE CENTER AND THE HORN WAS DISABLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,130 UPDATED 06/25/10 UPDATED 07/16/10*JB
1997 BUICK LESABRE HOOD BECAME UNLATCHED AND BLEW BACK. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0306-90 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING ON A PAVED TOWN ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG ALSO SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAGS OBSTRUCTED MY VISION BOTH IN FRONT AND ON THE SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT,…
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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING ON A PAVED TOWN ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG ALSO SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAGS OBSTRUCTED MY VISION BOTH IN FRONT AND ON THE SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT, BUT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH BECAUSE OF MY OBSTRUCTED VISION THERE WAS NO INJURY INVOLVED. THE CAR HAD PASSED A MAINE SAFETY INSPECTION IN MAY 2009, SO THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED AT THE TIME THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JUNE 2009 FROM A FRIEND. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS TORE UP THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, BUT SAID THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. *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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. SHE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THEN SMOKE ENGULFED THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. SHE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THEN SMOKE ENGULFED THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, YET NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99773. UPDATED 11/3/09 *CN UPDATED 11/06/09.*JB
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.