- 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
1997 Buick Lesabre Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 402 complaints about the 1997 Buick Lesabre with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (119) and the fuel system (39). Those complaints describe 26 crashes, 33 fires, 25 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in July 1996 for the fuel injection system. For comparison, the 1996 has 101 and the 1998 has 410.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Lesabre year, for its age
#12 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 402
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 26
- Fires
- 33
- Injuries
- 25
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 1997 Buick Lesabre problems
Share of all 402 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 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 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect all front and rear safety belt latch ends and safety belt buckles for correct parts and replace any incorrect parts.
What owners say
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402 complaints about the 1997 Buick Lesabre
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 17.
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...
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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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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...
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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.
Sub frame is completely roated out on the back drive. Complete safty hazard needs recall
The sub frame bushing is completely rotted. Day it was sold to me passed inspection but on car fax it failed safety inspection? It cracks and creaks when turning left.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and the key was turned in the ignition switch, the driver side air bag deployed. The contact stated that approximately 20 minutes later the passenger side air bag also deployed. The driver sustained facial cuts, bruises, a fractured cheekbone and whiplash that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 197,000. The vin was not available.
While entering the interstate highway, car started losing power at 50mph. After getting car up to a safe speed, got the car home where it then stopped running and would not re-start. Mechanic checked and found that the head gasket failed at 130,000 miles. This car has always been well maintained. Nearly caused me to be rear-ended as I was on a70mph interstate highway! Also, your website keeps telling me I have an "invalid vin number!" This is the only one ever issued for this vehicle. What's with this?
Tl* the contact owned a 1997 buick lesabre. While driving approximately 50 mph, the contact crashed into another vehicle and the rear driver side seat belt webbing tightened independently around the child's body. The occupant sustained a fractured back and torn spine. In addition, there was injury to the abdomen. The injuries required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. The vin was unavailable.
I own a 1997 buick le sabre custom (3.8) The car will shutdown when I am driving it.Also it drains the battery.The date is the year that I purchased the car.
My check ingine light wont go off and I was told I have mass air flow and now when I start it it misfires,my air conditioning doesnt work and the speedometer is reading crazy
I was driving the car slowing down for an intersection and the driver side airbag deployed without warning. The horn began to blow and while looking for a spot to safely pull over, the passenger side airbag deployed. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Airbag pushing against horn button causing horn to sound at various times. Car purchased used from buick dealer, their airbag recall does not go as far back as 1997! *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, an abnormal sound emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the upper intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Has a 1997 buick lesabre and having problems with ignition and I can be driving and it just like it don,t get no juice from engine then when tried to start up it don,t catch in ignition switch. I have spend over 2,000 in this car but every one I take it to says it in the ignition it sounds like it wants to start sometimes it takes up to 6 hours before it starts. *Tr
Was driving car and it started steering hard drove home approx 35 miles to find the k frame washers had rusted off and the engine was not being support. Has it fixed and same thing happened again going less than 5 mph and steering went out and on inspection the front and lower frame mounts had fallen and car has been parked every since because I can not find parts that are reasonably priced! I was on the interstate doing 70 mph 10 mins prior to the last incident could have been a bad result. Have read about these problems in a forum someone started on google, cant believe there was never a recall! *Tr
While accelerating up to speed from a stop, all of a sudden there was a noticeable thump, the steering was erratic, the car vibrated and shook. The power steering was inoperable. We slowly drove the car home (2 miles) and upon examination, we discovered the engine cradle frame was hanging down, only a few inches from the ground. The engine cradle mounting washers (2 on each side) had rusted thru, allowing the rear of the cradle to drop. I also noticed the right side sway bar was broken off at the mount on the...
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lower control arm. The entire front suspension and wheel assemblies are fastened to this cradle, so that's why the steering became erratic - there was no longer any solid attachment to the car. After carefully examining the attachment points, it is obvious that this is a serious safety and structural design flaw. These cars should be recalled for the safety of the public. We were lucky that we were on a straight road at a slow speed when this happened. I noticed there are many, many complaints on the nhtsa website of this exact same issue. *Tr
The brakes make a strange sound sometimes & stall;gas leak;undercarriage is weak. *Tr
My boyfriend was driving my car. I was in the passenger's seat. We had just pulled away from the curb and were going about 20 mph. For no reason, the passenger's side airbag deployed. We didn't hit anything, and nothing hit us. We pulled over and got out. The car was filled with smoke. I had pain in my abdomen and couldn't hear out of my right ear. The windshield on my side of the car(passenger's side) was broken from the impact. He took me to the local er to be checked out and I was examined and released...
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with contusions of right knee, abdomen and right ear. It was a terrifying experience and scared us both very much. I reported this to my insurance carrier the next morning. My boyfriend was not injured. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lasabre. The contact stated that the intake manifold was cracked causing the oil to leak into the radiator. The engine ran rough and backfired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the upper intake manifold was cracked and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified who stated there was a recall nhtsa campaign number: 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline) but the vin was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000 and the current mileage was 49,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph and the vehicle began to shake in a continuous jerking motion. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the retainer washer and the body mount was disengaged on the passenger's side, causing the engine cradle to collapse on the rear driver's side. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
Buick Lesabre: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 335 | 0 | F |
| 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 |
1997 Buick Lesabre vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Buick Lesabre | 402 | 2 | F | |
| 1997 Buick Park Avenue | 219 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Buick Regal | 136 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Buick Century | 106 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Buick Skylark | 87 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Buick Riviera | 43 | 0 | 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 1997 Buick Lesabre
Does the 1997 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 Buick Lesabre: fuel injection system (July 1996); buckle assembly (March 1996). 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 1997 Buick Lesabre?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (119), fuel system (39), electrical system (39).
How many complaints has the 1997 Buick Lesabre had?
402 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 26, 1996 and the latest on February 28, 2024. Of these, 26 describe a crash and 33 a fire, and together they report 25 injuries and 1 death.
Is the 1997 Buick Lesabre a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 2 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 1997 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