IllustrationCOOLANT LEAK AT UPPER INTAKE PLENUM ON 1997 BUICK AT 68000 MILES DEALER STATED THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT ARE NOT HELPING WITH COST OF REPAIRS.$633.64. *AK
1997 Buick Lesabre
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Lesabre years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Buick Lesabre are substantially higher than the model-year median of 24.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lesabre years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
1225–50K
1850–75K
2175–100K
29100–150K
21150K+
106 reports with mileage · 288 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports31 fire reports20 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
110 reportsI HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY BUICK LESABRE, AT A COST OF $264.80 WITH LABOR ANOTHER $180. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AS I UNDERSTAND IT WITH GM AND THEY ARE QUITE AWARE OF IT BUT HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. AN INDEPENDENT DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
MECHANIC FOUND ENGINE COOLENT LEAKING FROM THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH IS *PLASTIC*. THE COOLENT WAS ALSO LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE OIL. I STATED THAT SUCH A MAJOR DETERIORTION OR FAILURE AFTER ONLY 44,800 MILES IS ABSURD AND LUDICROUS.
PARTS WHERE MADE WITH PLASTIC, WENT BAD AND MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *LA WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE PLASTIC UPPER PLENUM MANIFOLD AND GASKET. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO A GM DEALER WITH THE SERVIC…
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PARTS WHERE MADE WITH PLASTIC, WENT BAD AND MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *LA WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE PLASTIC UPPER PLENUM MANIFOLD AND GASKET. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO A GM DEALER WITH THE SERVICE BULLETIN PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. GM REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *PH *NM
THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING COOLANT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING IT WITH A METAL INTAKE MANIFOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
WHILE STARTING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE BLEW UP DUE TO THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, OVERHEATING., SMOKE WAS VISIBLE INSIDE THE CAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES NOR FATALITIES TO REPORT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
1997 BUICK LESABRE LEAKING COOLANT. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS TWO YEARS AGO. PLENUM WAS REPLACED AND SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING AGAIN. HAD INTAKE GASKET REPLACED BUT COOLANT STILL LEAKING. WILL DAMAGE ENGINE IF NOT CORRECTED. TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE TO CORRECT EVERY TWO YEARS. *JB
FAILURE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD PERMITTED COOLANT TO MIX WITH ENGINE LUBRICANT AND CAUSED ENGINE TO SEIZE. ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, IT ALSO DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED BESID…
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THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, IT ALSO DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED BESIDE IT. *PH *JB
Official recalls
296V116000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Jul 1, 1996
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.
96V044000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Mar 5, 1996
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE INCORRECT SAFETY BELT AND/OR SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ENDS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN INCORRECT PART IS USED, THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.