FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1997 Buick Lesabre
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 394 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Buick Lesabre, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 52 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 315 |
| Aug 2005 | 2 | 317 |
| Sep 2005 | 1 | 318 |
| Oct 2005 | 5 | 323 |
| Jan 2006 | 1 | 324 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 325 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 326 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 327 |
| Jun 2006 | 2 | 329 |
| Oct 2006 | 2 | 331 |
| Nov 2006 | 1 | 332 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 333 |
| May 2007 | 2 | 335 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 336 |
| Nov 2007 | 1 | 337 |
| Jan 2008 | 2 | 339 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 340 |
| May 2008 | 1 | 341 |
| Jul 2008 | 3 | 344 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 345 |
| Dec 2008 | 1 | 346 |
| Jan 2009 | 3 | 349 |
| Mar 2009 | 1 | 350 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 351 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 352 |
| Aug 2009 | 1 | 353 |
| Sep 2009 | 1 | 354 |
| Oct 2009 | 3 | 357 |
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 358 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 359 |
| Apr 2010 | 2 | 361 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 362 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 363 |
| Sep 2010 | 2 | 365 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 366 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 367 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 368 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 369 |
| Mar 2013 | 2 | 371 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 372 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 373 |
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 374 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 375 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 376 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 377 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 378 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 379 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 380 |
| Jun 2015 | 2 | 382 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 384 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 385 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 386 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 387 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 388 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 389 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 390 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 391 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 392 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 393 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 394 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine12025.5%
- Fuel system408.5%
- Electrical388.1%
- Brakes367.7%
- Airbags337.0%
- Visibility296.2%
- Transmission275.7%
- Steering255.3%
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.govSEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact's friend owns a 1997 Buick LeSabre The contact stated that the hood was difficult to open and close. The latch was in the correct location. The contact stated that while her roommate was driving at 45 MPH, the hood opened and detached. The driver pulled over, and a 2012 Chevrolet crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries. The air bags did not deploy, and there was no fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. The contact called the dealer, who informed them that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 196,400.
- NHTSA ID
- 11574509
- Incident
- Feb 20, 2024
- Mileage
- 196,400 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE A-FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS HANGING DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME BUSHING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. *BF *JS
- NHTSA ID
- 11270491
- Incident
- Oct 19, 2019
- Mileage
- 130,000 mi
THE HORN WILL SOUND WITHOUT PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON(S) WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR UNOCCUPIED. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND IT IS APPARENTLY AN ISSUE FOR MANY OWNERS. PART OF THE AIR BAG CONTRACTS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS PRESSING ON PART OF THE HORN BUTTON. THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT IT OFF IS TO PULL THE HORN FUSE. I AM CONCERNED THIS MAY LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IF THE HORN SOUNDS FOR TOO LONG OR AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO USE THE HORN.
- NHTSA ID
- 11121343
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2015
- Mileage
- 65,000 mi
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS BETWEEN 30 TO 40 MPH. ALSO AT 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HAVE BEEN TOLD MAY NEED TRANSMISSION. CAR ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN DRAINED. DID NOT HELP. PLEASE ADVISE
- NHTSA ID
- 11109928
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2017
- Mileage
- 49,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO HOOK AND LOCK, WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TT UPDATED 8/1/18*JB
- NHTSA ID
- 11034699
- Incident
- Oct 18, 2017
- Mileage
- 90,000 mi
WE WERE DRIVING AND HEARD IT MISSING AND IT STARTED OVERHEATING, SO WE PUT MORE WATER IN AND DECIDED TO COME HOME. SO WHEN WE TURNED AROUND IT DIED 2X THEN THE CYLINDERS LOCKED UP AND IT WOULDNT START. WHEN WE GOT HOME MY HUSBAND FOUND WATER IN THE INTAKE AND THE OIL. SO WE REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AND IT DID IT AGAIN, BUT THEN IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND WE FOUND THAT THE BAR CONNECTION THE PISTON TO THE CRANK SHAFT BUSTED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 103,K MILES ON IT.. DONT UNDERSTAND HOW ITS EVEN POSSIBLE. THE ONLY OTHER PERSON THAT OWNED IT WAS AN OLD GUY. WE ONLY PUT 300MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
- NHTSA ID
- 11010873
- Incident
- Jul 23, 2017
- Mileage
- 103,000 mi
INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED WATER LEAKED INTERNALLY INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBER CAUSING HYDROLOCKING OF ENGINE. UPON RESEARCHING CAUSATIVE ACTIONS I FIND THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND HAS REDESIGNED THE FAULTY PARTS BUT DISAVOW ANY CULPABILITY EVEN THOUGH A CONSCIENTIOUS OWNER WHO PROPERLY MAINTAINS THE VEHICLE CANNOT KNOW WHAT IS TRANSPIRING INSIDE A COMPOSITE MATERIALS INTAKE MANIFOLD,MANY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BURST INTO A FIRE AND DESTROY THE VEHICLES. ONE WOULD TEND TO BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY THREAT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS RECOGNIZED FAILURE OF SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS,I THAT WOULD WARRANT MANUFACTURERS REPLACEMENT TO PROVIDE SAFE TRANSPORTATION. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I NOTED THE VEHICLE ACTING UP AND RETURNED HOME JUST AS THE ENGINE QUIT AND NOW IS HYDROLOCKING DUE TO COOLANT FILLING COMBUSTION CYLINDERS.
- NHTSA ID
- 10956086
- Incident
- Feb 19, 2017
- Mileage
- 104,970 mi
SUB FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROATED OUT ON THE BACK DRIVE. COMPLETE SAFTY HAZARD NEEDS RECALL
- NHTSA ID
- 10928836
- Incident
- Nov 30, 2016
- Mileage
- 190,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
EQUIPMENT
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
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 |
| 1997Viewing | 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 |
| 1992 | 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.