1994 Buick LESABRE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
96 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
101,261 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 96 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 15.6% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 4 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Electrical System: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 82 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 22 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
1995: 20; 1996: 11; 2000: 22; 2001: 15; 2002: 5; 2003: 8; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020086 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPWARDS. *NLM THE CONSUMER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS PUSHED IN. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT, INSTEAD IT JUST BLEW IN THE CONSUMER'S WIFE'S FACE. (IN WHICH SHE SUFFERED INJURIES) THE BRAKES HAD TO BE CLEANED OF GREASE WHEN THE CONSUMER FIRST TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE AND A FEW WEEKS LATER THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *SCC …
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020086 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249138 · 2008-11-18 (November 18, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2008 AND CONTINUES TO STALL WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR LESS. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL BECAUSE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKING ABILITY. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE TAKES LONGER THAN A MINUTE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE …
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353893 · 2010-09-04 (September 4, 2010)
BUICK LASABRE DIES ON HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES ALL POWER CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO TRY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHILE UNDER NO POWER. NO BRAKES, POWER STEERING . HAPPENS ABOUT 8 TO 12 TIMES A DAY. I DRIVE 47 MILES TO WORK. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED 8 TIMES, HAD TO MAKE UNSAFE TURNS TO KEEP FROM HAVING A DEAD CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO GET TOTALED. REPLACED COIL PACKS PER DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDATION. STILL DIES. NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP CAN DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. SEEMS ALL MECHANICS WANT TO PICK A PART TO REPLACE AT RAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 104,522 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097853 · 2004-10-27 (October 27, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD NOT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED, EXCEPT FOR THE OIL BEING CHANGED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 128,338 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10825001 · 2016-02-09 (February 9, 2016)
IN COLD WEATHER CAR WON'T START CHECKED THE LIGHTS WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON IT READS, VOLT AND TEMP OBVIOUSLY BATTERY PROBLEMS. I GOT A NEW BATTERY WHEN I GOT THE CAR... I GOT A JUMP FROM RANDOM PERSON NEXT TO MY JOB AND CAR STARTED RIGHT UP IN LIKE 2 MINUTES AND I WENT HOME.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10825001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 884285 · 2001-03-27 (March 27, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND EVENTUALLY ENGINE WILL CUT OFF AND LOSE ALL POWER, POSSIBLY DUE TO ELECTRICAL DEFECT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE BECAUSE VEHICLE ALWAYS RESTARTS.*AK THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE STILL CUTS OFF. THE DEALER HAD TRIED TO FIX IT THREE TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 884285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719700 · 2000-03-05 (March 5, 2000)
ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING. HAS TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL TO RESTART VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967773 · 1995-06-27 (June 27, 1995)
THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION LEAK. THEY REPLACED THE SEAL ON THE TRANS AXLE CONVERTER NOW CAR SOUNDS LIKE A TRUCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967773 at NHTSA ↗