FaultScore

1993 Buick Lesabre electrical problems

31 of the 264 complaints about the 1993 Buick Lesabre are about the electrical system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 244,000 miles.

F

31

Complaints

0

Crashes

6

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Alternator/Generator/Regulator 11 35.5%
Ignition 6 19.4%
Front Underhood 4 12.9%
Wiring 2 6.5%
Module 2 6.5%
12V/24V/48V Battery 1 3.2%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 1 3.2%
Interior/Under Dash 1 3.2%
Switch 1 3.2%
Electrical System 1 3.2%

Electrical System across every Buick Lesabre year

1990 13 2.4%
1991 12 2.2%
1992 23 4.2%
1993 31 5.7%
1994 30 5.5%
1995 24 4.4%
1996 16 2.9%
1997 45 8.2%
1998 55 10.1%
1999 31 5.7%
2000 90 16.5%
2001 45 8.2%
2002 24 4.4%
2003 15 2.7%
2004 68 12.4%
2005 25 4.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 244,000 miles Boise, ID

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, IT DOESN'T MATTER AT WHAT SPEED, MY ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO LURCHING NOR SPUTTERING, IT JUST DROPS DEAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I KNOW THERE IS POWER TO MY CAR BECAUSE THE LIGHTS AND RADIO SEEM UNAFFECTED. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL DROP OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING, PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT TO CONTINUE. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN THESE STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER OR HOURS APART I HAVE HAD THE COIL, PLUGS AND WIRES ALL CHANGED. ALL CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD AND BATTERY IS FINE.. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED THAT IS THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10427975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Honolulu, HI Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10099435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Horn Lake, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, IT WILL STALL AND THEN JUST DIE, THE FUSES ARE A ONGOING THING THEY JUST KEEP BLOWING LIKE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE BOX , IT IS ALWAYS THE # 11 FUSE, THIS CAR ONLY HAS 38000 MILES ON IT. BUT I KNOW THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WIRING AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO KEEP GOING OUT. IT ALSO MISSES BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES AN HR. I HAVE REPLACED PLUGS AND PLUG WIRES AND NOTHING HELPS IT. I GOT THIS CAR FROM A MAN THAT WAS 78 YRS OLD AND HE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, HE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE AND I HAVE REPLACED IT 1 TIME SINCE SEPT. WHEN I GOT THE CAR. FROM ALL THE REPORTS I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, BEFORE 1 BURNS AND HURTS SOMEBODY.

NHTSA complaint #740911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Horn Lake, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, IT WILL STALL AND THEN JUST DIE, THE FUSES ARE A ONGOING THING THEY JUST KEEP BLOWING LIKE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE BOX , IT IS ALWAYS THE # 11 FUSE, THIS CAR ONLY HAS 38000 MILES ON IT. BUT I KNOW THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WIRING AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO KEEP GOING OUT. IT ALSO MISSES BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES AN HR. I HAVE REPLACED PLUGS AND PLUG WIRES AND NOTHING HELPS IT. I GOT THIS CAR FROM A MAN THAT WAS 78 YRS OLD AND HE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, HE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE AND I HAVE REPLACED IT 1 TIME SINCE SEPT. WHEN I GOT THE CAR. FROM ALL THE REPORTS I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, BEFORE 1 BURNS AND HURTS SOMEBODY.

NHTSA complaint #740911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Otego, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THEN, A FEW SECONDS VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF AGAIN. *AK THIS HAPPENS TWICE A MONTH.

NHTSA complaint #875063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jackson Heights, NM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #605617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING NOISE IN ENGINE.MJS

NHTSA complaint #547516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY FAILED.MJS

NHTSA complaint #547516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ELECTRICAL COIL REPLACED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #547516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

NEW ELECTRICAL COMPUTER SYSTEM DUE TO SHORTED PMV. MJS MJS

NHTSA complaint #547516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED RESULITNG IN THE CAR ABRUPTLY LOOSING POWER AND WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR QUIT COMPLETELY.

NHTSA complaint #508415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boca Raton, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY.

NHTSA complaint #531675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #542802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SPARK PLUGS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #542802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calabash, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

HEAVY CABLES ATTACHED TO THE BATTERY CONNECTOR CAUSED TERMINAL TO BREAK LOOSE FROM BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #526113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATES SHE HAD MADE A TURN AND BACKED UP WHEN SHE SAW FLAMES, CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN FIRE OCCURRED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #818282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenville, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION OIL LINES SEPARATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALSO, ALTERNATOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #817054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cordele, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #518095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cordele, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ELECTRICAL: VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1993, SINCE THEN IT IS CONSTANTLY BURNING ALTERNATORS. HAD FOUR ALTERNATORS AND EACH ONE BURNED OUT IN FOUR TO SIX MONTHS. DEALERS DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO BURN SO QUICKLY.

NHTSA complaint #812704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #515457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Omaha, NE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

GENERATOR/ALTERNATOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA complaint #507605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WHILE DRIVING, WILL IDLE VERY FAST AT 40-60 MPH, DOES NOT SLOW DOWN, NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL, LOCKS ON TO HIGH SPEED, HAVE STOP CAR & THEN RESTART TO ERASE HIGH IDLE, ALSO REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA complaint #986288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lincoln Park, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT AT 20MPH FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. TT

NHTSA complaint #978219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lincoln Park, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT AT 20MPH FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. TT

NHTSA complaint #978219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Burlin, VT Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR FLAMES WERE ENTERING THE CAR THROUGH AIR VENT THE CAR WAS CUT OFF AND THEN IT BLEW UP. TT

NHTSA complaint #977602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockland, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT. TT

NHTSA complaint #976845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittston, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN WHEN TANK WAS BELOW ONE HALF OR BELOW A QUARTWER FULL.

NHTSA complaint #484389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Tona, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ENGINE STALLED WHILE MAKING A WIDE-RADIUS TURN TO RIGHT AT 40 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #483244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bangor, ME

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

AUTO-TRAN: ENGINE STALLS; LOSS OF BRAKES AND POWER STEERING; NO PROBLEM RESTARTING IN NEUTRAL; CAUSE UNKNOWN; NEVER KNOW WHEN PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. TT

NHTSA complaint #971245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1993 Buick Lesabre problems

← Full 1993 Buick Lesabre report