- The problem
- A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
- The risk
- This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Buick Lesabre Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 101 complaints about the 1996 Buick Lesabre with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (19) and the electrical system (14). Those complaints describe 8 crashes and 8 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in July 1996 for the fuel injection system. For comparison, the 1995 has 181 and the 1997 has 402.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Lesabre year, for its age
#58 most complained-about 1996 vehicle
- Complaints
- 101
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 8
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 8
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1996 Buick Lesabre problems
Share of all 101 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1996 Buick Lesabre recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- These vehicles were assembled with a malfunction alarm, lighting and locking (mall) module that can contain a damaged capacitor. If the capacitor is damaged, the "key in the ignition" warning chime and the driver seat belt unbuckled warning chime and indicator lamp may not work. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "Theft protection" and fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." In addition, other chime reminder functions, interior lighting controls, and power door locking features are also affected.
- The risk
- Consequence of non-compliance; the driver may not be aware that the key was left in the ignition or that the safety belt was not buckled.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the mall module.
What owners say
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101 complaints about the 1996 Buick Lesabre
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.
While at a complete stop on a city street behind a city bus which was loading passengers with no collision or contact, the passenger side airbag deployed. The airbag caused burns to the passenger's hand and both knees. It also caused deep contusions on the left knee, causing difficulties with walking.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. The vehicle was taken for a tune-up where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gaskets, upper intake manifold, and the oil pan gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. While driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred three times. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 116,000.
Had to remove dome light bulbs beause it doesnt turn off, the lights on the rear st times and I'v just bought a second battery 3 days ago because the lighting problem caues them to burn out. Sometimes the lights will fade out. Mst time it doesnt and I can't turn them off manually either. Just found out about the recalls on this vehicle. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the courtesy lights would illuminate at any time even when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle would also exhibit a chiming noise, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was also contacted and denied any assistance with repairs to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 108,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, he heard a loud clunking noise, the engine dropped, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop, where they diagnosed that the engine cradle and bushing were corroded and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 140,000.
The subframe rusted and droped out of the car, causing the car to lose steering and sending it into oncoming traffic . *Tt
1. While driving a buick lesabre on dry, smooth, hard-surface road... In an instant... 2. All steering control was lost. Vehicle was brought to a stop with brakes. No death, no injury, no additional damage 3. The engine cradle bolts were found broken... This allowed the steering mechanism to become disconnected.... The bolts were replaced, the mechanism was connected, and the vehicle was returned to service 4. I contacted the people at buick 25 may.... After four days of...
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delays, they informed me of their disinterest in this critical failure, regardless of it's certainty to result in fatalities.... Please disseminate an immediate alert/recall/notice/other fyi..... Your form is entitled 'complaint'..... Understand this is an objective, factual report, not a complaint. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. Upon starting the vehicle, the contact could hear the vehicle back fire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where repairs were made to stop an evaporator leak. The repair did not stop the vehicle from back firing. The manufacturer stated that because the vehicle was older than 10 years of age, they could not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 98,000.
While waiting in a parking lot lane for a parking space to open, the driver's airbag deployed. I was not leaning forward, but I was looking slightly to the left. The bag just hit me on the right side forehead and covered me in powder. I could not hear out of my right ear, and still cannot today. *Tr
I was driving back home from a friends house and had the car parked in my drive way and it was left running and it was in park then I went out to leave and the car was running for about 3 min sitting there and I put it into reverse and it would not move no matter what so I tried all the gears it wouldn't work so I shut off the car let it sit for about 5 min and started it up then put it into reverse again and it did then I drove about 50-100 ft and it felt like it was slipping and then just the other day I went out...
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to start it and it was still in park and it sounds like a powersteering pump with no fluid and it sounds like a big nest of bees and I checked the fluid level and the fluid was burnt and there was debris in the fluid so the car don't work. So my family had to go buy a new car when we are broke and now I have no way to get to work. There was nothing done to resolve the failure yet im going to go buy a new transmission. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. While driving down a hill at an unknown speed, the brake indicator illuminated and made a constant beeping noise. The contact parked the vehicle and had aaa tow it to the dealer. She purchased the vehicle from the dealer in september of 2008 and now she needs new brakes. Within two hours, the vehicle was repaired at the cost of $400. She was very skeptical of the repairs and took the vehicle to a private mechanic. She was informed that the brake lines were clogged. The repair would cost $500. The failure mileage was 114,000. 4/01/09 *Nj updated 04/09/09.*Jb
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. One year ago, the brakes failed to respond on the vehicle while leaving the driveway. The vehicle did not stop and struck another one of the contact's vehicles. There were no injuries. He inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake line was split in half due to corrosion. The contact removed the lines and installed new ones. Recently, the brakes failed to function again. The driver struck the curb at 10 mph in order to stop the vehicle. It was discovered that...
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the front brake line was severely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic and the contact made the repairs himself. He has not yet notified the manufacturer. The current mileage was 65,000 and failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
1996 Buick lesabre custom suddenly started smoking,overheated and shut off on interstate at 60 mph. Owner had car towed and checked by mechanic. Cracked manifold leaking coolant was the cause, engine blown is diagnosis. *Tr
The grommets and/or washers that hold up the engine frame cradle rusted out and allowed this part to drop through the retaining bolts, once this happened there was a total loss of steering. Had I been driving on the interstate or 60 mph on a state highway this would have turned into a very serious accident. I was sitting at a stoplight and the moment I accelerated I heard a very loud metallic thud/sound, which I assume was the cradle dropping down. I'm amazed that this all happened with zero warning that they...
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were any issues with the steering. There was never any indication that this was going to happen, meaning no looseness, no vibration, no sensory changes in how the steering felt but all in a matter of 2 seconds, a loud noise and then I couldn't steer or guide the car. I hit the brakes because I was trying to turn right and the car was moving left so I slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting oncoming traffic. I live in the midwest and I believe that the corrosion was advanced due to all the salt that is placed on the roads to melt the ice/snow during the winter months. I'm writing this in hope that others will be notified and possibly have the condition of their cradles checked out to avoid losing their steering. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. The horn would not stop blowing for 50 miles after the key was inserted into the door lock. The dealer stated that the failure was electrical and the remote key needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the horn was blowing when the contact arrived and they were unable to reprogram the remote key; however, the horn stopped blowing. The contact requested the old remote key since it was unable to be reprogrammed. Approximately one week later, the horn began...
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blowing again intermittently. While driving approximately 40 mph, the instrument panel lights illuminated. The dealer stated that there was no vin information in their database. The vin was confirmed with the contact, but appears to be invalid. The engine size and powertrain were unavailable. The failure mileage was 35,000 and current mileage was 83,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. While driving 25 mph, the contact struck a pothole and lost control of the vehicle. He noticed that the four rear washers were rusted, which caused the engine and transaxle frame to detach from the vehicle. As of october 24, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The contact replaced four upper and lower washers and isolators, in addition to four bolts. The failure mileage was 70,620 and current mileage was 70,670. Updated 12/07/07
Tl* - the contact has a 1996 buick lesabre which has a hole in the upper intake manifold. The general motors dealer stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. He then called the buick dealer who concerured. The contact found recall 96v116000 on the nhtsa website. *Ak
1996 Buick lesabre alarm system goes off when the car is turned on. Consumer would like list of recalls. *Kb *jb
There are two recalls on your site related to my vehicle. Two dealers tell me there are no recalls on my car. Even though there is one campaign sticker located under the hood. I have a buick lasabre 1996 it back fires when starting. Can you check and see if the two you list are asssoceated with my vehicle. *Jb
Vehicle failed to stop due to a loss of brake fluid. Inspection revealed steel brake tubes severely rusted only in the area of the leak. Leak location is directly below abs hydraulic control unit in the left front of the engine compartment. All four output lines from the abs system to the wheel were affected. The balance of the brake lines on this vehicle exhibit a normal level of corrosion. *Nm
Dt: the mounts on the engine cradle broke and dropped and steering disengaged. The rack and pinion fell within the engine. Owner was in a parking lot driving when this happened. The speed was between 5-10 mph. There were no prior problems with the vehicle. The manufacturer said that the owner will not be getting any help resolving this problem today. This happened on july 20, 2005. There were no injuries. The 4 rear mounts on the engine cradle broke. The owner was having this repaired eventually. The...
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information provided by the consumer was what he thought was relevant to the complaint. All the information collected is what the owner of the vehicle has wish to provide. The owner was on the phone with buick customer service and they contacted the owners dealer and told the owner that they would not send anyone to the owners home to examine the damage. *Ak
1996 Buick lesabre both passenger and driver's side front air bags deployed inadvertently.*Mr the driver's air bag deployed at 11 am while driving 30 mph. On the same day at 2 pm the passenger's air bag deployed while driving 30 mph. The vehicle was not involved in any type of collision nor did the air bag light illuminate to indicate a problem. *Nm
While car was parked but running, contact noticed that fuel was leaking onto the driveway. There were children in the vehicle at the time. The vehicle has since been repaired. The fuel line, fuel pump and fuel sender were replaced. *Ak
Vehicle commenced to accelerate from a stop position while the brakes were applied. Vehicle took off from 0-45 mph. Consumer rode the brakes, and down shifted the transmission to gain control. Dealer was not notified.*Ak
Buick Lesabre: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 680 | 5 | F |
| 1999 | 215 | 2 | F |
| 1998 | 410 | 1 | F |
| 1997 | 402 | 2 | F |
| 1996 | 101 | 2 | F |
| 1995 | 181 | 1 | F |
| 1994 | 171 | 0 | F |
| 1993 | 198 | 1 | F |
| 1992 | 192 | 2 | F |
1996 Buick Lesabre vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Buick Lesabre | 101 | 2 | F | |
| 1996 Buick Regal | 207 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1996 Buick Skylark | 88 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 1996 Buick Century | 83 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1996 Buick Park Avenue | 59 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1996 Buick Roadmaster | 55 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Buick Riviera | 44 | 2 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1996 Buick Lesabre
Does the 1996 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1996 Buick Lesabre: fuel injection system (July 1996); control module (October 1995). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Buick Lesabre?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (19), electrical system (14), brakes (13).
How many complaints has the 1996 Buick Lesabre had?
101 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 5, 1996 and the latest on April 28, 2019. Of these, 8 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1996 Buick Lesabre a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Buick Lesabre year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Lesabre years have the most complaints?
2000 (680), 1998 (410), 1997 (402). See every Buick Lesabre year compared.
What should I do if my 1996 Buick Lesabre has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data