1993 Buick Lesabre Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Buick Lesabre, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes7030.0%
- Transmission3012.9%
- Engine2611.2%
- Electrical2410.3%
- Driver assistance125.2%
- Body & structure104.3%
- Tires & wheels93.9%
- Airbags93.9%
- Steering83.4%
- Seat belts83.4%
- Visibility62.6%
- Interior & seats62.6%
- Fuel system52.1%
- Suspension41.7%
- Powertrain (other)41.7%
- Heating & air conditioning20.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 1/2 YRS NOW AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD THIS TYPE OF BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR SLED, I WAS TRYING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO MAKE A TURN. THE ABS LITE HAS BEEN ON THE CAR ALMOST EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT.
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED '93 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT FOR TWO DAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THEN THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, THE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR. I SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS KAPUT. I CAN UNDERSTAND IF THE BRAKES FAIL IF THERE'S A LEAK IN THE LINES OR THE PADS HAVEN'T BEEN REPLACED--THOSE ARE MAINTENANCE ITEMS THAT ARE THE DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY. BUT A MASTER CYLINDER SHOULD AT THE VERY LEAST WARN ME WITH AN IDIOT LIGHT(THEY HAD IDIOTS BACK IN '93 TOO) AND PREFERABLY SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. IT'S IN OTHERWISE GOOD SHAPE WITH ONLY TWO OWNERS AND NO ACCIDENTS. ALL THE HOSES ARE NEW AND THE INTERIOR IS IN GOOD SHAPE, SO I DON'T THINK ROUGH HANDLING CAUSED THE FAILURE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS OLDER, AS BRAKES ARE VITAL TO SAFETY. I HAD A 97 HONDA WITH OVER 250K AND ITS STILL USING THE ORIGINAL BRAKES ALTHOUGH THE PADS AND DRUMS HAVE BEEN REDONE SEVERAL TIMES. THE TYPE OF FAILURE I EXPERIENCED COULD WELL HAVE KILLED ME. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I JUST BOUGHT A USED BUICK LESABER AND IT'S LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CAR IS A 93 AND JUST BOUGHT IT IN NOV. 06. I FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS CAR. AND NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE TO GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHITE SMOKE EMANATED INTERMITTENTLY FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL# 96V015000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY, AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUITS, AND WITH IT, SO DOES THE POWER STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS, BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTART IN NEUTRAL, LUCKILY. WHY?? *TR
AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, IT DOESN'T MATTER AT WHAT SPEED, MY ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO LURCHING NOR SPUTTERING, IT JUST DROPS DEAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I KNOW THERE IS POWER TO MY CAR BECAUSE THE LIGHTS AND RADIO SEEM UNAFFECTED. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL DROP OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING, PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT TO CONTINUE. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN THESE STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER OR HOURS APART I HAVE HAD THE COIL, PLUGS AND WIRES ALL CHANGED. ALL CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD AND BATTERY IS FINE.. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED THAT IS THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TT
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, IT DOESN'T MATTER AT WHAT SPEED, MY ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO LURCHING NOR SPUTTERING, IT JUST DROPS DEAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I KNOW THERE IS POWER TO MY CAR BECAUSE THE LIGHTS AND RADIO SEEM UNAFFECTED. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL DROP OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING, PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT TO CONTINUE. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN THESE STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER OR HOURS APART I HAVE HAD THE COIL, PLUGS AND WIRES ALL CHANGED. ALL CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD AND BATTERY IS FINE.. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED THAT IS THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TT
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MJS
I HAD MY CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL, SET AT 70MPH, AND I WAS CRESTING A HILL WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER. I TOOK IT OFF CRUISE CONTROL BUT IT WOULD NOT RUN. IT WOULD SURGE THEN SLOW DOWN. IT SEEMED TO HAVE VAPOR LOCKED. I HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WITH OTHER CARS BECAUSE I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAD TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER WITH MY FLASHERS ON UNTIL I COULD GET TO A GAS STATION. I SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR 2 HOURS AND IT WAS OK. IT HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES , I HAVE HAD MANY REPAIRS ON IT AND IT STILL IS NOT FIXED.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
1993 BUICK LESABRE - THE MOTOR-TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILED AT THE POINT OF ACCELERATING FROM AND INTERSECTION. THE REAR OF THE MOUNT DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING. DIAGNOSIS BY THE BUICK DEALER MAKING THE REPAIR IS THAT THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO RUST. THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN. I AM THE SECOND OWNER IN NORTHWEST OHIO. DUE TO BOTH STATES AND AREAS USING ROAD SALT, THE MOUNT FAILED. THE OHIO DEALER STATES THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE, BUT THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER STATED HE PICKED UP A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, SAME FRAME/CHASSIS, LAST YEAR. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST LEFT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 15 M.P.H. WHEN THE MOUNT DROPPED. THE CAR STEERED ITSELF ACROSS THE ROAD AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE GOING DOWN INTO THE DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THIS COULD EASILY BE FATAL FOR ANY OF THE OCCUPANTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT 4 OUT OF 6 BOLTS HAD RUSTED AND DROPPED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE 4 WASHERS IN THE BACK OF THE FRAME WHICH HELD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION BROKE THROUGH CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP. UPDATED *JB
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK LESABRE. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ONE WEEK AND A HALF AGO FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES THE STEEL BELTS WERE HANGING OUT. IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. THE BACK TIRES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT USED THE VEHICLE FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AND PURCHASED IT AS IT WAS. MICHELIN TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO CONTACTED THE PERSON THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND HE SAID THAT THEY WHERE NOT THE SAME TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN HE INSPECTED IT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. GENERAL TIRE: SIZE#, DOT# AND MODEL UNKNOWN. *AK *NLM
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND BUMPED IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE FULL IMPACT WAS ABSORBED BY THE SEATBELT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SEVERE NERVE INJURIES TO LOWER BACK, HIPS AND LEGS. VEHICLE WAS ROUTINE MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED. *PH
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, IT DOESN'T MATTER AT WHAT SPEED, MY ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO LURCHING NOR SPUTTERING, IT JUST DROPS DEAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I KNOW THERE IS POWER TO MY CAR BECAUSE THE LIGHTS AND RADIO SEEM UNAFFECTED. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL DROP OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING, PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT TO CONTINUE. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN THESE STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER OR HOURS APART I HAVE HAD THE COIL, PLUGS AND WIRES ALL CHANGED. ALL CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD AND BATTERY IS FINE.. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED THAT IS THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TT
THE CRADLE MOUNT BOLTS SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL STEERING. *AK SO IF YOU ARE ON A CURVE, YOU JUST GO STRAIGHT OR WHICH EVER WAY THE WHEELS POINT. THE STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING GEAR. *SCC *JB
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR SEAT BELTS BECOME JAMMED IN RETRACTING MECHANISM. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
DRIVIER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK INTO LATCH WHEN TRYING TO USE SEAT BELT. BUICK HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C NO WORKING PROPERLY DUE TO RELAY STICKING OPEN/FAILURE.MJS
WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM EITHER INSIDE OR FROM OUTSIDE BY USING A KEY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM, NOR WAS ABLE TO REPAIR IT. OTHER DOORS WORKED FINE. *AK
DRIVER'S BACKREST COLLAPSED AFTER RESTING BACK ON SEAT WHILE IN DRIVEWAY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. OWNER NOTICED THAT AFTER FAILURE NEITHER PIN THAT HOLDS SEAT WAS IN PLACE, AND ONE WAS MISSING ALTOGETHER, NO RETAINERS FOUND. ONE SEAT BASE FLOOR STUD NEVER HAD A NUT ON IT. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN JULY OF 1997 AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK OF VEHICLE WHICH NECESSITATED REPLACEMENT OF TANK. REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK TWO YEARS LATER, AND A THIRD FUEL TANK WAS INSTALLED. THIRD FUEL TANK ALSO DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK AFTER ANOTHER TWO YEARS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS DEVELOP LEAKS WHICH COULD POSE A FIRE HAZARD. *AK *YH
FUEL TANK BAFFLE BECAME LOOSE, FALLING INTO TANK , AND CAUSING EXTREME NOISE WITH POSSIBLE FUEL SPILLAGE . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD 30MPH AND SLOWING DOWN AT A STOP LIGHT, FELT LEFT BACK WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF, AND VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING VERY BADLY. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT BOLT WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF, RESULTING IN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY ALMOST COMING COMPLETELY OFF. *AK
ALL STRUTS WERE WEAK AND BENT CAUSING NOISE. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
1993 BUICK LESABRE - THE MOTOR-TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILED AT THE POINT OF ACCELERATING FROM AND INTERSECTION. THE REAR OF THE MOUNT DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING. DIAGNOSIS BY THE BUICK DEALER MAKING THE REPAIR IS THAT THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO RUST. THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN. I AM THE SECOND OWNER IN NORTHWEST OHIO. DUE TO BOTH STATES AND AREAS USING ROAD SALT, THE MOUNT FAILED. THE OHIO DEALER STATES THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE, BUT THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER STATED HE PICKED UP A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, SAME FRAME/CHASSIS, LAST YEAR. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST LEFT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 15 M.P.H. WHEN THE MOUNT DROPPED. THE CAR STEERED ITSELF ACROSS THE ROAD AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE GOING DOWN INTO THE DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THIS COULD EASILY BE FATAL FOR ANY OF THE OCCUPANTS. *TR
TACKOMETER, SPEEDOMETER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP FAILED.
BRAKES FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .