1995 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 1995 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
- Airbags4421.5%
- Electrical2311.2%
- Brakes199.3%
- Seat belts178.3%
- Body & structure167.8%
- Engine157.3%
- Steering104.9%
- Exterior lighting94.4%
- Tires & wheels83.9%
- Interior & seats83.9%
- Visibility73.4%
- Driver assistance73.4%
- Transmission73.4%
- Suspension62.9%
- Fuel system52.4%
- Other / unspecified21.0%
- Heating & air conditioning10.5%
- Powertrain (other)10.5%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN TRAFFIC, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED LEGS INJURIES THAT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
BOTH (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) FRONTAL AIRBAGS ON MY 1995 BUICK LESABRE DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON ON JUNE 27TH AND 28TH 2015. ON THE 27TH, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THOUGH IT SPILLED SODA OVER THE BACK SEAT. ON THE 28TH THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I76, GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. MY RIGHT WRIST WAS INJURED AND IS RED AND SWOLLEN BUT I DO NOT THINK IT'S BROKEN. THE HORN THEN STAYED ON AND I EVENTUALLY PULLED OVER AND REMOVED THE FUSE FOR IT. (BTW WHICH DUMB ASS PUT THE HORN ON THE SAME FUSE AS THE POWER LOCKS AND INTERIOR LIGHT?) IN NEITHER CASE WAS THERE A COLLISION OF ANY KIND THAT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. I NOTICED AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AFTER THE FIRST AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, COULD HAVE BEEN ON BEFOREHAND BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL AFTER.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 9/3/14*CN UPDATED 11/26/2014 *JS
THE 95 BUICK LESABRE, I HAVE OWNED THREE OF THEM NOW, AND THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I'VE REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND KEYS DUE TO A SECURITY SYSTEM PROBLEM. THIS IS ABOUT A 500.00 PROBLEM EVERY TIME! FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'M A SINGLE FATHER AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BE SHELLING OUT WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. FROM WHAT THE REPAIR FACILITY SAID THIS COULD BE FIXED WITH A LINKABLE FUSE, SO THAT FUSE WOULD GO INSTEAD OF THE IGNITION WIRES BURNING UP. THIS REALLY IS A SIMPLE WAY AROUND SPENDING 1,500.00 DOLLARS ON THIS PROBLEMS. THIS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY I WON'T BUY AN AMERICAN CAR AGAIN. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
1995 BUICK LESABRE WITH REPEATED INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP FAILURE IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS. EXCESSIVE BRAKE/ROTOR REPLACEMENTS WITH MINIMAL MILES IN BETWEEN. BUICK WILL RUN DIAGNOSTICS AT $88.00 PER HOUR. CAN RUN TO $1,000 AND MAY STILL NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HAD AN INITIAL RECALL ON THE BRAKES. LIKE THE CAR OR WOULDN'T STILL HAVE IT. WISH I COULD COUNT ON THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. *JB
I HAD MY FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AS THEY WERE IN NEED OF IT DUE TO UNEVEN STOPPING, BUT REASON MORE SO WAS THE ABS LIGHT WOULD KEEP COMING ON. THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO FAIL, NOT ALLOWING YOU TO COME TO QUICK STOP AS NEEDED, EVEN AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. THIS STILL HAPPENS EVEN AFTER BRAKE WORK WAS DONE. MECHANIC SAID THE ABS SENSOR WAS IN THE WHEEL BEARING AND WOULD COST OVER $300 TO CHANGE THAT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, FOR EXAMPLE, SHOULD SOMEONE PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I AM UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO ABS FAILURE. AFTER THE LIGHT COMES ON, AFTER INITIAL FAILURE TO STOP, THEN IT WORKS FINE UNTIL IT SITS FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND REPEATS IT AGAIN. THIS IS VERY SCARY SITUATION AND NOW CONSIDERING OUR DAUGHTER, 16, IS DRIVING TOO MAKES IT EVEN MORE OF A HUGE CONCERN.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE HAD NO PARKING LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS DUE TO A FAILED LAMP CONTROL MODULE. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH THE SECOND FAILURE, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. THE FIRST AND THIRD FAILURE THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T COME ON OR GO OFF. AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE AND TWO FAILED BATTERIES, THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP THEN STATED THE VEHICLE WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER FOUND THIS TO BE COINCIDENTAL BEING AS THOUGH HER VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN THE RECALL. *PH ALSO THE REAR SEAT BELT DID NOT PULL OUT. *JB
DRIVER'S SAFETY BELT IS BEING SHREDDED BY PLASTIC ANCHOR, THE BELT IS HALF ITS ORIGINAL SIZE. *AK.*JB
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE LEAVING AN INTERSECTION I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL , I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND AND REALIZED I HAD NO STEERING THE WHEEL WAS TURNING ,BUT WITH NO CONTROL OF THE CAR . THE CAR HIT A TELEPHONE POLE THAT WAS INSTALLED TO HOLD UP 4 MAILBOXES . THE ENGINE CARRIAGE OF THE CAR THAT IS BOLTED TO THE FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME PAST THE BOLTS CAUSING THE STEERING CONNECTION TO COME APART , THE CAR IS TOTALED . THANK YOU GM/ BUICK ENGINEERS . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE DOORS, HOOD, TRUNK AND ROOF HAD BEGUN TO RUST AND CORRODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. IT SOMETIMES STALLS WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT OR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD/HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP ALONG WITH A FUEL PUMP, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AIR MASS SENSOR AND GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND OUT WHO ELSE HAS HAD THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE MANY AND THE ONLY COMMON FACTOR IS THAT NO ONE HAS FOUND A RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT DRIVER HEARD A "THUMP/CLUNCK" SOUND. LIGHTS ON CONSOLE BEGAN TO COME ON. DRIVER PULLED OVER TO A FIRE STATION. SERPENTINE BELT AND WATER PUMP CAME OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE LEAVING AN INTERSECTION I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL , I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND AND REALIZED I HAD NO STEERING THE WHEEL WAS TURNING ,BUT WITH NO CONTROL OF THE CAR . THE CAR HIT A TELEPHONE POLE THAT WAS INSTALLED TO HOLD UP 4 MAILBOXES . THE ENGINE CARRIAGE OF THE CAR THAT IS BOLTED TO THE FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME PAST THE BOLTS CAUSING THE STEERING CONNECTION TO COME APART , THE CAR IS TOTALED . THANK YOU GM/ BUICK ENGINEERS . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE STEERING BOX TO THE FRAME FRACTURED, CAUSING LIMITED CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SLOWLY TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BOLTS WERE FRACTURED BUT THE TECHNICIAN ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DRILLED A NEW HOLE REPLACED THE OLDER BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
1995 BUICK LESABRE WITH REPEATED INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP FAILURE IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS. EXCESSIVE BRAKE/ROTOR REPLACEMENTS WITH MINIMAL MILES IN BETWEEN. BUICK WILL RUN DIAGNOSTICS AT $88.00 PER HOUR. CAN RUN TO $1,000 AND MAY STILL NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HAD AN INITIAL RECALL ON THE BRAKES. LIKE THE CAR OR WOULDN'T STILL HAVE IT. WISH I COULD COUNT ON THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. *JB
THE VEHICLE HAD NO PARKING LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS DUE TO A FAILED LAMP CONTROL MODULE. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH THE SECOND FAILURE, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. THE FIRST AND THIRD FAILURE THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T COME ON OR GO OFF. AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE AND TWO FAILED BATTERIES, THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP THEN STATED THE VEHICLE WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER FOUND THIS TO BE COINCIDENTAL BEING AS THOUGH HER VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN THE RECALL. *PH ALSO THE REAR SEAT BELT DID NOT PULL OUT. *JB
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE HAS TBC MULTI-MILE MATRIX TIRES, SIZE P225/60R16. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPLODED, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BELT MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,880.
I HAVE MATRIX MULTI-MILE TIRES ON MY CAR THE NUMBERS ON THE TIRE ARE 95S P205/70R15MTS. MY CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROX. 8 HOURS AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED MAKING A BIT HOLE IN MY RIGHT FRONT FENDER. THE DAMAGES WERE ALMOST 800.00 AND I FEEL THAT THE OTHER ONES MAY DO THE SAME. THE TIRES WERE ALREADY ON THE CAR WHEN I HAD BOUGHT IT AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF TREAD ON THEM. THERE IS NO EXPLANATION OF THIS OCCURRENCE AND I FEEL THAT THE TIRE COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO MY CAR AND ALSO REPLACE MY TIRES.*TR
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DUE TO THE CHILD LOCK ON THE REAR DOORS. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
WHEN GETTING INTO VEHICLE, SEAT WELDS THAT HOLD THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FRAME BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO TIP OVER BACKWARDS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *ML
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR FELL OFF THREE TIMES, GLUE DOES NOT HOLD PROPERLY. YH
WINDSHIELD HAS MANY LITTLE SPECKS IN IT. WHEN LOOKING INTO THE SUN THESE SPECKS ILLUMINATE AND BECOME GLARE AND MAKE IT HARDER TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE IT REPAIRED, INSTEAD SHE TRADED IT IN FOR A NEW CAR. *PH *JB
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL OR LAUNCH FORWARD. RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED VEHICLE 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS....*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *AK THE DRIVER HEARD SOME OBJECT HITTING THE BOTTOM OF TH VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER A/C FAILED. UPON LOOKING UNDER HOOD THE NOISE WAS FOUND COMING FROM A BROKEN BELT. *YH
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND AFTER SWITCHING GEARS VEHICLE LOST POWER. CONSUMER DROVE OFF THE ROAD, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *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 LEAVING AN INTERSECTION I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL , I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND AND REALIZED I HAD NO STEERING THE WHEEL WAS TURNING ,BUT WITH NO CONTROL OF THE CAR . THE CAR HIT A TELEPHONE POLE THAT WAS INSTALLED TO HOLD UP 4 MAILBOXES . THE ENGINE CARRIAGE OF THE CAR THAT IS BOLTED TO THE FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME PAST THE BOLTS CAUSING THE STEERING CONNECTION TO COME APART , THE CAR IS TOTALED . THANK YOU GM/ BUICK ENGINEERS . *TR
VEHICLE WOULD BE PULSATING & SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. MAKES SUCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & TOLD TORQUE CONVERTOR WAS GOING BAD.
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
THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. IT SOMETIMES STALLS WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT OR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD/HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP ALONG WITH A FUEL PUMP, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AIR MASS SENSOR AND GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND OUT WHO ELSE HAS HAD THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE MANY AND THE ONLY COMMON FACTOR IS THAT NO ONE HAS FOUND A RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DOME LIGHT IS SO DIM THAT IT IS UNUSEABLE. ...HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE TOO LOW. WON'T EXTEND TO PROPER HEIGHT FOR PROTECTION ....POWER DOOR LOCK (DRIVER SIDE) STOPPED WORKING. KEY WON'T WORK EITHER. HAVE TO ENTER FROM PASSENGER SIDE....PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK ALSO STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT....GAS GAAUGE IS DECEPTIVE. VERY INACCURATE. CHANGES WHEN MOVING AND WHEN STOIPPED. ....STORAGE/GLOVE BOX BETWEEN FRONT SEATS LOCKED ITSELF AND WOULDN'T OPEN. HAD TO BREAK IT OPEN TO RETRIEVE MEDICINE NEEDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR WHEEL FELL OFF AXLE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT DEALER TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK
WHEEL LUGS AND NUTS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION.
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
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *AK THE DRIVER HEARD SOME OBJECT HITTING THE BOTTOM OF TH VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER A/C FAILED. UPON LOOKING UNDER HOOD THE NOISE WAS FOUND COMING FROM A BROKEN BELT. *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
AXLE SEAL FAILURE. *AW
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 .