IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WILL STALL. THEN, CONSUMER COULD START CAR AGAIN. ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER, IT STALLED AGAIN, AND WOULD NOT START FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. TOOK TO DEALER , AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IF ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT.*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
What owners actually said
394 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ENGINE WILL STALL OUT ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT VEHICLE WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON ACCELERATION VEHICLE WAS HARD TO SHIFT. , CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNDER ATSB. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED AN INDEPDENT DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
CONSUMER WAS STARTING VEHICLE WHEN A BROKEN GAS LINE CAUSED A FIRE, THE ADJUSTER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR LEAKED ONTO THE MANIFOLD AND CAUSED AN EXPLOSION, CLAIM 23-1276-311. *SLC
ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 02, 2000, I WAS MAKING A TRIP TO JACKSONVILLE, FL. TO MY SISTERS WITH MY 79 YEAR OLD MOTHER AND 75 YEAR OLD FATHER. RIGHT OUTSIDE OF TALLAHASSEE, FL. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY A 10" IN LENGTH AND 7" WIDE PIECE OF RUBBER SEPERATE FROM THE TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND STOP. I HAD TO …
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ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 02, 2000, I WAS MAKING A TRIP TO JACKSONVILLE, FL. TO MY SISTERS WITH MY 79 YEAR OLD MOTHER AND 75 YEAR OLD FATHER. RIGHT OUTSIDE OF TALLAHASSEE, FL. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY A 10" IN LENGTH AND 7" WIDE PIECE OF RUBBER SEPERATE FROM THE TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND STOP. I HAD TO FOLLOW A POLICEMAN FROM INTERSTATE 10 TO A BACK HIGHWAY TO GET BACK TO TALLAHASSE TO GET MY TIRE REPLACED. WHEN THE GOODYEAR MECHANIC GOT THE CAR UP ON THE RACK HE CALLED ME AND MY FATHER OUT TO LOOK AT THE OTHER THREE TIRES. ALL OF THE TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO SEPERATE IN THE MIDDLE. I CHOSE TO RELACE ALL FOUR TIRES BEACUSE I WAS AFRAID THE REST WOULD DO THE SAME THING AND I DID NOT WANT TO CHANCE INJURY. I HAD MY SON DO A VISUAL CHECK OF THE TIRES BEFORE I LEFT ON THE TRIP AND HE SAID I SHOULD HAVE ANOTHER 10,000 TO 15,000 MILES LEFT ON THE TIRES HOWEVER, WE COULD NOT VISUALLY SEE THE SEPERATION IN THE MIDDLE. I WANTED TO KEEP THE TIRES AND BRING THEM BACK TO PASCAGOULA WITH ME BUT I COULD NOT KEEP THE TIRES BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE ANY ROOM IN MY CAR. I HEARD ON THE NEWS A FEW DAYS AGO THAT THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH GENERAL TIRES. I FEEL I SHOULD LET SOMEONE KNOW ABOUT THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO SEE ANYONE GET INJURED OR KILLED. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TO TRY AND FIND OUT ABOUT THE TIRES BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY INFORMATION. MY CURRENT MILAGE IS 46,060 NOT WHAT I LISTED AT THE TOP PART OF YOUR FORM. SHOLUD YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP THAT YOU MAY PROVIDE IN THE RESEARCH OF THIS INCIDENT.
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY ON HER WAY HOME. WHEN SHE GOT HOME REAR PASSENGER TIRE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW. SO SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE PLACE. AND THE ATTENDANT THERE TOLD HER THAT TIRE COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. THE TIRE WAS NO GOOD. THE FIRESTONE P20575R15, THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK THE CUSTOMER STILL HA…
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PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY ON HER WAY HOME. WHEN SHE GOT HOME REAR PASSENGER TIRE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW. SO SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE PLACE. AND THE ATTENDANT THERE TOLD HER THAT TIRE COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. THE TIRE WAS NO GOOD. THE FIRESTONE P20575R15, THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK THE CUSTOMER STILL HAS 3 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AND DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. *YH
RIGHT FRONT TIRES SEPERATED WHILE ON FREEWAY - CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA.( DOT NUMBER: ACMODBI037 TIRE SIZE: P205/70R15 )
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30MPH ON ROAD AND ANOTHER VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING THE STALLED VEHICLE. BUT, HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THERE WAS 1 INJURY AND ONE FATALITY. *AK
ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO MOTOR AND CAUSING IT TO BE SLUGGISH & HESITATE. ALSO, THERE WAS A FOUL SMELL COMING INTO VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS A DEFECT WITHIN THE PART. *AK
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BUMPED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 5 MPH AND CAUSED BOTH AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. DRIVER'S HAND RECEIVED MINOR ABRASINS. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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.