RoadVitals

1992 Buick Lesabre

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
189
Latest Jul 3, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jan 23, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
40
15 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 189 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Buick Lesabre, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

Jan 23, 1996
585,182 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
The risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL

Sep 23, 1991
20,765 units potentially affected
The defect: WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
The risk: DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE LEVER RELEASE AND ROADLEVEL. THE PARKING BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING IT TO ROLL, WHICHCOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
The remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA93011ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL LINE FAILURE

Opened May 3, 1993
Closed May 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE92039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION

Opened Apr 15, 1992
Closed Aug 14, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE92010ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FAILS

Opened Jan 27, 1992
Closed May 22, 1992

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 96V015000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 91V167000 (PARKING BRAKE) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA ID
10608073
Incident
Jan 5, 2013
Mileage
240,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 24, 2009

1) DRIVING ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT AT 35MPH, SUDDEN AND HARSH THUD WAS FELT VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF IT'S TRAFFIC LANE, STEERING THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. OPERATED BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. 2) INSPECTION REVEALS BOTH REAR ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTING BOLTS FAILED, DROPPING ENGINE/TRANSAXLE ONTO STEERING COLUMN, STEERING GEAR BEING PULLED AWAY AND NEARLY SEPARATED FROM STEERING COLUMN. 3) INITIAL INSPECTION DETERMINES VEHICLE MINIMALLY NEEDS REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS, REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED SWAY BAR LINKS. REPAIRS PENDING. THIS FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO RECALL OF BUICKREGAL 1988-1991, FORD TAURUS/MERC SABLE 1987-1995 AND OTHERS... *TR

NHTSA ID
10266619
Incident
Apr 23, 2009
Mileage
177,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 3, 2008

I OWN A 1992 BUICK LESBARE LIMITED THAT I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE MORNING JAN 14 2003. THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZEING. I WAS ABOUT 3 MILES FROM HOME WHEN I HAPPENED TO LOOK IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND TRANSMISSION FUILD ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES HAD COME LOOSE FROM EACH OTHER AND DUMPED TRANSMISSION FUILD ALL OVER THE ENGINE. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND THE TOW BILL. JUST RECENTLY I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH ON MY WIFE'S 1997 CHEVY S-10 BLAZER THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE DEXCOOL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND FOUND A WEB SITE ON RECALLS THAT INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED. I CALLED BUICK TO SE IF THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR MY REPAIRS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS FOR THAT PROBLEM FOR MY CAR. I CHECKED YOUR WEB SITE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND WAS A RECALL FOR MY CAR IF IT WAS IN ONE OF THE 27 COLD STATES THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (YOUR # 96V015000) I WAS WONDERING HOW COULD YOU LET GM OFF THE HOOK FOR 23 STATES OF VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT IN THE COLD STATES. WHAT WOULD KEEP A CAR FOM A NON COLD STATE BEING TRANSFERED TO A COLD STATE AND THAT FAILURE HAPPEN. YOUR RECORDS SHOW IN JAN 18 1995 THAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSED 4 FIRES THAT WERE REPORTED. THE SAD THING ABOUT THIS THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES SOLD IN THOSE OTHER 23 STATES THEN IN THOSE 27 COLD STATES. MISSOURI IS THE STATE I LIVE IN AND IS FURTHER NORTH THAN KENTUCKY OR PARTS OF ILLINOIS. BUT WHERE I LIVE DOES NOT DICTATE WHERE I DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10244335
Incident
Jan 14, 2003
Mileage
127,543 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 15, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V015000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES) AND STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED TWO HYDRAULIC HOSE PARTS, FOUR HOSE CLAMPS, AND REPLACED ALL THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND ADDITIONAL BRACKETS. THE CONTACT PAID $111 FOR THE REPAIR AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 03-05-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10214962
Incident
Feb 15, 2007
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 4, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND SUFFERED MODERATE NECK PAINS. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THERE WAS A POLICE OFFICER ON THE SCENE, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10210843
Incident
Dec 4, 2007
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 27, 2007

92 BUICK LASABRE, BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED HARD TO AVOID ACCIDENT, HOWEVER WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR BECAME COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE BRAKES FADED TO NOTHING. FINALLY HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE A FRAME HOLDING THE MOTOR HAD RUSTED THROUGH, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO BE DISABLED, AS WELL AS THE BRAKE SYSTEM, ASIDE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS MENTIONED. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THERE WAS NO INVOLVEMENT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WHEN I SEE OTHER BUICKS OF THE SAME MODEL, I WONDER HOW SAFE THEY ARE TO BE ON THE HIGHWAY. IN MY CASE THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 30 MPH, IF THE SPEED WOULD HAVE BEEN 55 OR 60, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED, NOT ONLY TO MYSELF BUT ALSO TO OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ON THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR ANYONE ON THE ROADWAY BECAUSE OF ALL THE VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL THAT ARE ON THE ROADWAYS SOMETIMES DEPENDING ON THE SPEED LIMIT TRAVELING AT SPEEDS THAT WOULD MAKE IT ENTIRELY IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID A CRASH AND POSSIBLY THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THEIR CAR BUT ALSO OTHER INNOCENT MOTORISTS AND PASSENGERS ON THE ROADWAYS. WITHOUT CLOSE INSPECTION,BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE RUST PROBLEM, ONE WOULD NEVER NOTICE THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. I AM A DISABLED DEPUTY SHERIFF AND WOULD HATE TOP SEE ANOTHER PERSON BECOME DISABLED BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT THAT I HAVE NOTED HERE. I BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGN AND WAY IN WHICH SNOW AND ICE GETS JAMMED UP IN THE LOCATION THAT I OBSERVED THE RUST, CAUSED THE PROBLEM TO GO ON WITH OUT BEING NOTICED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10186304
Incident
Sep 10, 2005
Mileage
172,076 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK LESABRE. OCCASIONALLY THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT SECURE THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED. THE FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2300. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED FOR ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, AND THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS ON 3/22/07. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 91V167000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,500. *AK

NHTSA ID
10185906
Incident
Dec 27, 1991
Mileage
2,300 mi
Filed Dec 20, 2006

MY CARS PAINT STARTED PEALING OFF AND NOW ALMOST THE ENTIRE TOP OF MY CAR HAS NO PAINT BUT A GRAY TYPE SURFACE AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE ROOF IS RUSTED. THAT'S JUST ONE THING. THE TRUNK OF MY CAR WHEN I OPEN IT LEAKS THE WATER INSIDE AS WELL AS WHEN IT IS SHUT. MY CAR ALSO WILL NOT CRANK AFTER I HAVE PARKED IT AND WILL REQUIRE A BOOST TO GET IT GOING NOW I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY CABLE HEADS AND IT STILL DOES THAT ON OCCASION. MY CAR ONE DAY STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE KNOCKING GRINDING NOISE AND I WENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE HARMONIC BALANCE PULLEY. I WENT TO GET THE PART TO REPAIR MY CAR AND THEY SAID THE ONLY PLACE TO GET THE RUBBER SEAL IS THRU THE DEALER. IT IS TO EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO GET IT FIXED PROFESSIONALS, SO NOW I DRIVE ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND THE RUBBER SEAL IS ALMOST WORN DOWN COMPLETELY AND WHEN IT FALLS OFF AND IM TOLD IT WILL. I WILL BE OUT OF A CAR. THE ROOF INTERIOR HAS ALSO FALLEN DOWN AND I HAVE TO PIN IT UP OUT OF THE WAY SO I CAN SEE OUT MY BACK WINDOW. THE REAR WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN AND THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST ONLY COMES ON ON OCCASION, AS WELL AS MY HEATER ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO NOT WHEN WE TURN IT ON. *JB

NHTSA ID
10176667
Incident
Jun 10, 2006

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

990730030A

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT

990730030

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT

832006

STRUCTURE:BODY

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THERE IS CORROSION ( RUST ) APPEARING ON THE LEFT AND /OR RIGHT ROCKER PANEL(S). *YC

98833005

SUSPENSION

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE

10001

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

INFORMATION ON GROWLING NOISE IN TRANSAXLE DURING FIRST FOUR MINUTES AFTER START UP. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Lesabre by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013000
2006300
2005770040.3
20041620036.7
20031641040.9
20023092154.7
20013280143.0
20006685258.9
19992092362.2
19984001253.9
19973942259.5
1996982256.1
19951781046.7
19941580042.1
19931941253.8
1992Viewing1892364.2
1991301148.9
1990461151.0
1989273054.4
1988214352.7
1987405966.8
19861631158.2
1985514
1984524
1983101
1982110
1981030
1979120
1978030
1977130
1976020
1975031
1974010
1972010
1971130
1970020
1967010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.