1997 Buick LESABRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
253 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
97,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 106 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 22 of 253 complaints (8.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 7.5% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.0% |
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 | 22 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 16 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 12 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 12 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 22; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling: 16; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 12; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 12; Air Bags: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 29 |
| 150,000 and above | 21 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 29; 150,000 and above: 21
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 147 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 | 6 |
| 2000 | 40 |
| 2001 | 27 |
| 2002 | 40 |
| 2003 | 29 |
| 2004 | 25 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
1996: 6; 2000: 40; 2001: 27; 2002: 40; 2003: 29; 2004: 25; 2005: 15; 2006: 10; 2007: 4; 2008: 9; 2009: 11; 2010: 9; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 6; 2015: 6; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 18 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 10001392 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001606 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT FAILED TO GO OFF. TAKEN VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THE SENSORS REPLACED. THE ENGINE PROBLEM WAS THE EGR VALVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE SLUGGISH. TOOK TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THE WIRES AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. VEHICLE TAKEN FOR TEST DRIVE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RESTARTED VEHICLE AFTER TURNING IT OFF AND IT BACK FIRED. HAD CRACKED THE PLASTIC INTAKE PHEBEM, WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002540 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003648 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB..*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003951 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING ALONG WITH THE STEERING RACK AND THE BRAKE CYLINDER. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004859 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING LOST FUNCTION OF BRAKES. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND BURSTED. PH *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007979 · 2003-02-22 (February 22, 2003)
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED DISLOCATED BROKEN THUMB AND POSSIBLE PERMANENT INJURY. ON SECOND PASSENGER, SEVERE TINNINTUS POSSIBLY FROM AIR BAG EXPLOSION.
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008242 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK INTO CYLINDERS. COOLANT LEAK CAUSED MOTOR TO HYDRO-LOCK MAKING VEHICLE INOPERABLE. BOTH UPPER & LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE REPLACED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008242 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.
96V044000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1996-03-05 (March 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: 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.
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 ↗