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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

What owners actually said

394 reports
150,000 miles · Jul 7, 2008
TiresCrashFire

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DOING 75, MY CAR MADE A LOUD POP SOUND AND WHEN I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR, THERE WAS A TRAIL OF SMOKE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE BACK TIRE HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND SPUN ME OUT OF CONTROL THERE WERE 170,000 ON MY 1987 BUICK LESABRE. I ALSO HIT A CAR AND …

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DOING 75, MY CAR MADE A LOUD POP SOUND AND WHEN I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR, THERE WAS A TRAIL OF SMOKE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE BACK TIRE HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND SPUN ME OUT OF CONTROL THERE WERE 170,000 ON MY 1987 BUICK LESABRE. I ALSO HIT A CAR AND SOME TREES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233465

93,500 miles · Jul 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED, IT BACKFIRED. ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME, HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED, IT BACKFIRED. ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME, HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $600 AND THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,525.

NHTSA ODI #10233046

115,366 miles · Jul 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING ON THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING ON THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,366.

NHTSA ODI #10232943

99,000 miles · May 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTIFREEZE AND NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BECOMING HOTTER. HE THEN NOTICED STEAM UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE C…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTIFREEZE AND NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS BECOMING HOTTER. HE THEN NOTICED STEAM UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10228350

95,000 miles · Mar 17, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED WITH FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED WITH FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE ABOUT 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10221467

60,000 miles · Jan 28, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. HE ALSO NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, MORE GASOLINE LEAKED. HE NO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. HE ALSO NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, MORE GASOLINE LEAKED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10216271

177,364 miles · Jan 17, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineSeat Belts

I TURNED THE IGNITION TO START MY CAR ON 1/17/2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30A AND HEARD A VERY LOUD POP AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE BOTH SHATTERED. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL PERTAINING TO THIS EXACT ISSUE, RECALL NUM…

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I TURNED THE IGNITION TO START MY CAR ON 1/17/2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30A AND HEARD A VERY LOUD POP AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE BOTH SHATTERED. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL PERTAINING TO THIS EXACT ISSUE, RECALL NUMBER 96V116000; ADDITIONALLY, I FOUND ANOTHER RECALL PERTAINING TO FAULTY SAFETY BELTS, RECALL NUMBER 96V044000. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE BUICK CORPORATION THAT THERE IS A RECALL BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED FOR SOME UNEXPLAINED REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215239

50,149 miles · Nov 13, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. HIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLIN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. HIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,075. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ODI #10208758

173,384 miles · Jul 30, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. ALL PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY AND WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A SERVICE STATION ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE FA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. ALL PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY AND WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A SERVICE STATION ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,339 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,384. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197796

167,000 miles · May 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ENGINE MOUNTING CARRIAGE DISASSEMBLING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ENGINE MOUNTING CARRIAGE DISASSEMBLING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE AND MILEAGE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 167,000.

NHTSA ODI #10191482

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.