FaultScore

FaultScore report

1997 Buick Lesabre problems

Owners have filed 514 complaints about the 1997 Buick Lesabre with NHTSA between 1996 and 2024. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 13 worst.

D

FaultScore 72/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Buick Lesabre.

How this is worked out

The numbers

514

Complaints

30

Crashes reported

49

Fires reported

23

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

97,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

9%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 77 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 15 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 77
Against the median year of the Buick Lesabre. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 15
9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1997 compares with every other Buick Lesabre

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Buick Lesabre

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 137 26.7%

1 crashes, 28 fires · median 94,250 mi

0 crashes, 14 fires · median 80,500 mi

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 80,490 mi

Brakes 42 8.2%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 57,000 mi

Airbags 33 6.4%

17 crashes, 2 fires · median 115,000 mi

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 75,000 mi

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 103,000 mi

Steering 25 4.9%

Median failure at 141,502 miles

Seat Belts 23 4.5%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 51,500 mi

Suspension 20 3.9%

Median failure at 150,190 miles

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 130,000 mi

Tires 15 2.9%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 117,616 mi

Median failure at 53,300 miles

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 140,000 mi

Lights 9 1.8%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 8 1.6%

Median failure at 12,344 miles

Equipment & Accessories 3 0.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Seats 2 0.4%
Wheels 2 0.4%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Gasoline 45 28.3%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 22 13.8%
Automatic Transmission 21 13.2%
Engine 20 12.6%
Fuel Injection System 14 8.8%
Carburetor System 13 8.2%
Cooling System 12 7.5%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 12 7.5%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 1.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 6 4.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 12 8.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 22 16.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 30 22.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 34 25.2%
150,000+ miles 29 21.5%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 1996 peak 17 Feb 2024

NHTSA investigations into the 1997 Buick Lesabre

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA02030 Opened 22 Oct 2002 Closed 9 Mar 2004 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICL...

PE02050 Opened 13 Jun 2002 Closed 22 Oct 2002 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Recalls on the 1997 Buick Lesabre

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

96V116000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

96V044000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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."

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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1996099 14,365 units in Canada

Engine

THESE VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING THAT CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. ALSO, IF A PERSON WAS IN THE VICINITY OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPEN, AND THIS BACKFIRE CONDITION OCCURRED, IT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. CORRECTION: THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) WILL BE REFLASHED WITH NEW PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE.

Recall 1996045 250 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 209 - Seatbelt Assemblies. Vehicles may have been assembled with one or more incorrect seat belt and/or seat belt buckle ends. 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. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and incorrect parts replaced.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 196,400 miles Troy, NC Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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 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.

NHTSA complaint #11574509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 196,400 miles Troy, NC Crash

ENGINE

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 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.

NHTSA complaint #11574509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 197,000 miles Bradford, PA 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10811861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Mahomet, IL Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10779283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,000 miles Green Island, NY 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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 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.

NHTSA complaint #10514485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,500 miles Swarthmore, PA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE SHIFT IN REVERSE, BUT IT DID NOT STAY THERE. INSTEAD IT WENT BACK TO DRIVE AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK ON MY 1997 BUICK LESABRE TRAVELED ABOUT 4 FEET AT HIGH SPEED AND STRUCK A SMALL TREE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR. MY INSURANCE PREMIUM WENT UP FOR AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT. CAN YOU GIVE ME THE WEB SITE OF A SIMILAR CAR AND YEAR IN AN ACCIDENT IN 2003 IN CALIFORNIA? THANK YOU, NIKOLAOS (NICK) CARAVASOS

NHTSA complaint #10290200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 196,400 miles Troy, NC Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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 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.

NHTSA complaint #11574509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 196,400 miles Troy, NC Crash

ENGINE

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 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.

NHTSA complaint #11574509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Chino Valley, AZ

STRUCTURE:BODY

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

NHTSA complaint #11270491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Vinton, VA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11121343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Vinton, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11121343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,000 miles Baltimore, MD

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #11109928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Honomu, HI

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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

NHTSA complaint #11034699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Marseilles, IL

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11010873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,970 miles NEW Port Richey, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 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.

NHTSA complaint #10956086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Saint Cloud, MN

POWER TRAIN

SUB FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROATED OUT ON THE BACK DRIVE. COMPLETE SAFTY HAZARD NEEDS RECALL

NHTSA complaint #10928836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Saint Cloud, MN

STEERING

SUB FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROATED OUT ON THE BACK DRIVE. COMPLETE SAFTY HAZARD NEEDS RECALL

NHTSA complaint #10928836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Saint Cloud, MN

SUSPENSION

SUB FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROATED OUT ON THE BACK DRIVE. COMPLETE SAFTY HAZARD NEEDS RECALL

NHTSA complaint #10928836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Worcester, MA

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10859934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Worcester, MA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10859934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 197,000 miles Bradford, PA 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10811861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles NEW Philadelphia, OH

ENGINE

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?

NHTSA complaint #10781951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Mahomet, IL Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10779283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,344 miles Fort Meade, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10730788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,344 miles Fort Meade, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10730788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 620,000 miles Fort Mohave, AZ

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10727001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 235,550 miles Bellville, OH

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10702132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Sicklerville, NJ

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10664529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Hobe Sound, FL

AIR BAGS

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!

NHTSA complaint #10660809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles West Chester, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10651641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles West Chester, PA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10651641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.