1996 Buick LESABRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
65 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
92,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 65 complaints (12.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 18.5% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 10.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 9.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 6.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 8; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 4; Structure:Frame And Members: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 35 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1996: 8; 2000: 11; 2001: 6; 2002: 5; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 6; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001149 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
THE UPPER MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAKED ANTIFREEZE.TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 48,035 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003700 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THERE WAS ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE MANIFOLD, THE DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006554 · 2002-12-22 (December 22, 2002)
ENGINE SUSTAINED DAMAGE DUE TO OIL SLUDGING (GELLING). OIL PRESSURE WAS INFLATED,KNOCKING SOUND WAS NOTICED. PENZOIL 10W30 WAS BEING USED AT REGULAR INTERVALS. DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS----770781. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 88,985 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033573 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GOT OVERHEATED AND COOLANT WENT INSIDE THE ENGINE DUE TO PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALER CHANGED TWICE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039881 · 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)
NAR 9-8-03. MINOR KNOCK NOISE IN ENGINE. ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN THE AMOUNT OF $4200.00 ON 71000 MILE VEHICLE. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 71,197 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048114 · 2003-11-18 (November 18, 2003)
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055643 · 2004-01-22 (January 22, 2004)
ENGINE STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY AT 25 MPH. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACKED MANIFOLD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059222 · 2004-02-12 (February 12, 2004)
THE UPPER MANIFOLD HAD DETERIORATED OR CRACKED ALLOWING COOLANT FLUID TO ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED. *PH *MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059222 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V204000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
Reported: 1995-10-23 (October 23, 1995)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V116000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗