POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
1992 Buick Lesabre
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 1997 | 2 | 90 |
| Oct 1997 | 4 | 94 |
| Nov 1997 | 1 | 95 |
| Dec 1997 | 3 | 98 |
| Jan 1998 | 1 | 99 |
| Feb 1998 | 3 | 102 |
| Mar 1998 | 1 | 103 |
| Apr 1998 | 2 | 105 |
| May 1998 | 1 | 106 |
| Jun 1998 | 2 | 108 |
| Jul 1998 | 4 | 112 |
| Aug 1998 | 1 | 113 |
| Oct 1998 | 3 | 116 |
| Nov 1998 | 1 | 117 |
| Dec 1998 | 1 | 118 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 119 |
| Feb 1999 | 2 | 121 |
| Mar 1999 | 1 | 122 |
| Apr 1999 | 1 | 123 |
| May 1999 | 1 | 124 |
| Jun 1999 | 3 | 127 |
| Jul 1999 | 1 | 128 |
| Aug 1999 | 1 | 129 |
| Sep 1999 | 4 | 133 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 134 |
| Nov 1999 | 3 | 137 |
| Dec 1999 | 1 | 138 |
| Jan 2000 | 1 | 139 |
| Feb 2000 | 1 | 140 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 141 |
| Apr 2000 | 2 | 143 |
| May 2000 | 2 | 145 |
| Jun 2000 | 5 | 150 |
| Aug 2000 | 3 | 153 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 154 |
| Oct 2000 | 2 | 156 |
| Dec 2000 | 2 | 158 |
| Jan 2001 | 3 | 161 |
| Feb 2001 | 2 | 163 |
| Mar 2002 | 2 | 165 |
| Apr 2002 | 1 | 166 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 167 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 168 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 169 |
| Jun 2003 | 2 | 171 |
| Jul 2003 | 1 | 172 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 173 |
| Oct 2003 | 2 | 175 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 176 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 177 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 178 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 179 |
| Apr 2006 | 2 | 181 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 182 |
| Mar 2007 | 2 | 184 |
| Dec 2007 | 1 | 185 |
| Jan 2008 | 1 | 186 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 187 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 188 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 189 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes7234.3%
- Engine2612.4%
- Electrical209.5%
- Transmission157.1%
- Airbags146.7%
- Body & structure115.2%
- Fuel system104.8%
- Interior & seats83.8%
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.govPARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
FUEL LINE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION
There is no summary currently available
FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FAILS
There is no summary currently available
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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
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
STRUCTURE:BODY
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THERE IS CORROSION ( RUST ) APPEARING ON THE LEFT AND /OR RIGHT ROCKER PANEL(S). *YC
SUSPENSION
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 40.3 |
| 2004 | 162 | 0 | 0 | 36.7 |
| 2003 | 164 | 1 | 0 | 40.9 |
| 2002 | 309 | 2 | 1 | 54.7 |
| 2001 | 328 | 0 | 1 | 43.0 |
| 2000 | 668 | 5 | 2 | 58.9 |
| 1999 | 209 | 2 | 3 | 62.2 |
| 1998 | 400 | 1 | 2 | 53.9 |
| 1997 | 394 | 2 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 1996 | 98 | 2 | 2 | 56.1 |
| 1995 | 178 | 1 | 0 | 46.7 |
| 1994 | 158 | 0 | 0 | 42.1 |
| 1993 | 194 | 1 | 2 | 53.8 |
| 1992Viewing | 189 | 2 | 3 | 64.2 |
| 1991 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 48.9 |
| 1990 | 46 | 1 | 1 | 51.0 |
| 1989 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 54.4 |
| 1988 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 52.7 |
| 1987 | 40 | 5 | 9 | 66.8 |
| 1986 | 16 | 3 | 11 | 58.2 |
| 1985 | 5 | 1 | 4 | — |
| 1984 | 5 | 2 | 4 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.