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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

394 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT FAILED TO GO OFF. TAKEN VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THE SENSORS REPLACED. THE ENGINE PROBLEM WAS THE EGR VALVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE SLUGGISH. TOOK TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THE WIRES AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. VEHICLE TAKEN FOR TEST DRIVE AND CHECK ENG…

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT FAILED TO GO OFF. TAKEN VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THE SENSORS REPLACED. THE ENGINE PROBLEM WAS THE EGR VALVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE SLUGGISH. TOOK TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THE WIRES AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. VEHICLE TAKEN FOR TEST DRIVE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RESTARTED VEHICLE AFTER TURNING IT OFF AND IT BACK FIRED. HAD CRACKED THE PLASTIC INTAKE PHEBEM, WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TS

NHTSA ODI #10001606

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ODI #10001392

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER HEARS AN UNUSUALLY LOUD "THUMPING, GROANING AND CRUNCHING" NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. ALSO STOPPING DISTANCE HAS SEEM TO INCREASE GREATLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON LIGHTLY SNOW COVERED ROADS. PH

NHTSA ODI #8024015

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA# 7843-96-V-116-000 SINGLE MANIFOLD INTAKE. BACKFIRE DURING STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD TOOK ON FIRE AND DAMAGED THE FUEL INJECTIONS RAILS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023840

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER NOTICED PERSISTANT LOSS OF COOLANT BUT THE LEAK COULD NOT BE DISCOVERED. THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT DESTROYED THE BEARINGS AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JG TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #8023738

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WARPED RESULTING IN A COOLANT LEAK, ALSO RESULTING IN A REPAIR COSTING $655.00. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT GM WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT NOR OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER ELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROMOTION OF THE…

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THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WARPED RESULTING IN A COOLANT LEAK, ALSO RESULTING IN A REPAIR COSTING $655.00. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT GM WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT NOR OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER ELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROMOTION OF THE PETITION AND IS SIGNEE #570, BASED UPON THE FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IN THIS VEHICLE, AS WELL AS THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAILURE REPORTED BY OTHER GM CONSUMERS. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE, THERE APPEARS TO BE A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD WHICH MAY IMPACT THE GENERAL POPULATION. THE CONSUMER ATTACHED A COPY OF THE WARRANTY AND OWNERS ASSISTANCE MANUAL WHICH STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS GUARANTEED 7 YEARS OR 70K MILES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DUE TO THE EMISSIONS STANDARDS IN THAT STATE. THE CONSUMER ADDS THAT; TO HIS BELIEF THAT BY THE VIRTUE OF THIS STATEMENT, THAT GM HAS DEFINED THE PROJECTED LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE PART REGARDLESS OF THE STATE OF RESIDENCE. (NHTSA# 96V116000) *SCC

NHTSA ODI #568298

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2002
Electrical System

WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLS, THE DEALER SCANED DATA AND CHECKED THE BATTERY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND POSITIVE CABLE TO THE FIREWALL. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #568291

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE WAS CHECK BY A DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN. THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. MR

NHTSA ODI #8022106

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE STRUTS WERE VERY BAD, CONSUMER WAS FINDING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD.*YH

NHTSA ODI #567929

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK WILL OPEN. BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR WORK AND THE KEY WORKS FOR TRUCK ON THE OUTSIDE. TRUCK COME OPEN ON ITS OWN. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATON. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8019776

Official recalls

2

96V116000 · 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

2

EA02030 · 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.