33 of the 514 complaints about the 1997 Buick Lesabre are about the transmission — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,000 miles.
33
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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.
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.
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR JERKS LIKE A FISH TUGGING ON YOUR LINE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND WHEN COMING UP AN INCLINE. IT ALSO HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR THAT I SMELL WHEN RUNNING THE A/C. I SMELL IT OUTSIDE THE CAR AND OCCASIONALLY I SMELL IT INSIDE THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10465202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS WILL BE 4TH TIME INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS BEING REPLACED. BY FAR THE WORST & MOST EXPENSIVE USED CAR EVER TO OWN. GM'S BLACK EYE.
NHTSA complaint #10288861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF IN REVERSE AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO. I HAD STARTED THE CAR, DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL (THE BRAKE MUST BE ENGAGED IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR) AND THE CAR SHOT BACK AND WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS RATHER PANICKED AS I WAS LEAVING A CONVENIENCE STORE AND WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING THE GAS PUMPS, OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. I MANAGED TO BACK THE CAR INTO THE STREET AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN PARK SO IT WOULD STOP. THE GEAR SHIFT WENT INTO THE PARK POSITION, BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IT PROCEEDED ACROSS A BUSY STREET THROUGH A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION AT APPROX.20-30 MPH. AT IT STARTED ACROSS THE STREET, I SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE BRAKES WOULD STILL NOT STOP IT. IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER ROLLING INTO A CURB. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR OTHER THAN TO STEER IT. I HAVE KNOWN THIS TO HAPPEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER GM CARS, BUT ALWAYS IN A FORWARD GEAR. I OWN A 1986 PONTIAC TRANS AM THAT HAS DONE THIS ON OCCASION. I HAVE HAD THAT CAR LOOKED AT BY SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND NONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. GM DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS I CAN FIND NO RECORDS OF RECALLS FOR ANY OF THEIR CARS FOR SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION. PART OF THE PROBLEM MAY BE THAT WHEN IT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE, NO ONE BELIEVES THEM. EVERYONE ASSUMES THEY HAD THEIR FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE TRIED TO PUT MY FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS (WITH THE CAR IN PARK) TO SEE IF THAT COULD BE WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I CAN'T DO IT AS THE GAS PEDAL IS RECESSED FURTHER BACK THAN THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT NO TIME ARE THEY LEVEL WITH EACH OTHER. BY SOME MIRACLE, NO ONE WAS HURT AND THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. I AM GOING TO CHECK WITH VARIOUS BUICK DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER MECHANICS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE EVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT I FEAR IT WILL BE THE SAME AS WITH THE TRANS AM WHERE I WILL GET NO ANSWERS.
NHTSA complaint #10283621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FOR THE TRANSMISSION ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COMPLETED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH SHOWED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. THE DEALER REPLACED TWO SOLENOID VALVES. THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS TESTING WITH THIS LIGHT ILLUMINATING.
NHTSA complaint #10141295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
HELLO, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR HESITATING GOING UP A SMALL GRADE OR SOMETIMES JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SPARK PLUG AND FIXED IT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. BESIDES A NEW TRANSMISSION, THEY ALSO REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND PUT NEW BRAKES ON THE FRONT WITH ROTORS. THE RECEIPT FROM THE GARAGE SAYS THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN 1870 TROUBLE CODE. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAD 52,000 MILES ON IT. THE TOTAL COST WAS 4200.00. I ASKED THE GM PEOPLE FOR HELP WITH THIS EXPENSE AS I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WORKING 2 JOBS AND DID NOT GET A REPLY. I TOOK OUT ANOTHER LOAN TO PAY FOR THIS. NOW, WITH ALMOST 80,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME THING AND MY FRIEND WITH A COMPUTER SAYS IT IS THE 1870 TROUBLE CODE (WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON). I CAN NOT AFFORD TO SPEND ANOTHER 4000.00 FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10070132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN DRIVING AT OVER 35 MPH TRANSMISSION WILL START TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR OR WILL START SURGING. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8011757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT BACKFIRED AND BROKE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO SEVERAL PIECES. I FOUND A RECALL INDICATING WHAT HAD HAPPENED DUE TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. I GAVE THIS INFO TO THE DEALER AT GAMBACORTA BUICK AT 427 W. SEVENTH ST. NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE 19720 TEL. NO 302 323 3026. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAK CAUSING THE INTAKE TO CRACK. I HAVE PHOTOS SHOWING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BROKEN IN TWO END TO END ABOUT AN INCH WIDE. THIS SEEMS TO BE MORE THAN A CRACK. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT WAS AN EXPLOSION. IT WAS VERY LOUD INSIDE THE CAR.*AK REFERENCED IN EA02-030
NHTSA complaint #760595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION BANGS AS IT SHIFTS GEARS.
NHTSA complaint #8002064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 5K.RETURNED IN 30 SEC.STARTED TO EXPER. HARSH SHIFTING. DEAL. COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. AT 60K HAD TRANS TEARDOWN.FOUND MANF.PROLEM THAT CAUSED FAILURE AT 5K.GM WOULD OFFER NO ASSIST. PRE EXISTING DID NOT APPLY.TO OLD TO MANY MILES.
NHTSA complaint #756260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSING SURGED WHEN CLIMBING HILLS, REPLACE THE THROTTLE SENSOR, KNOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SURGING GETTING WORSE, THEN BUICK SENT A LETTER ON THE BOLT IN THE TRANSMISSION, THAT FIXED IT.
NHTSA complaint #9004238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAD TAKEN THIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AT 34K MILES AND TOLD THEM IT HAD A "MISS" AND THAT IT "HESITATED" DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY SAID IT WAS A SPARK PLUG AND REPLACED ONE. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER BUICK DEALER IT NEEDED 4,200.00 TO MAKE IT ROAD WORTHY INCLUDING A NEW WATER PUMP, NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE SERVICE CODE ON THE CAR SHOULD HAVE INDICATED FAILURE OF THESE PARTS WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE FIRST DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #750591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NEVER COMPLETE FAILURE, BUT TRANSMISSIONS SURGE,D, AND MORE DANGEROUSLY, APPARENTLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #749465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
ABS WARNING LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
THIS PROBLEM, FACTORY INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES IN DOC# 538154, SER.NOTES. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #747748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEICLE WAS IN FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT LOCAL DEALER/ SERVICEMAN WAS TEST DRIVING VEHICLE AFTER REPAIR WHEN VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH BETWEEN TRANSMISSIOM AND GAS TANK, DEALER CLAIMS NOT RESPONSIBLE, VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. HAS THERE BEEN ANY PROBLEMS COMPARABLE TO THIS SITUATION ?
NHTSA complaint #746618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
LOW SPEED SHUTTER, TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKING UP AT 30 MI./HR. IT IS LIKE STARTING A STANDARD TRANS. IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. G.M. SAYS THIS IS A NORMAL THING FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. I SAY BULL_
NHTSA complaint #739626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON ACCELERATION VEHICLE WAS HARD TO SHIFT. , CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNDER ATSB. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED AN INDEPDENT DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #873149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NOTICED VEHICLE WAS SURGING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THEY FOUND OUT THAT VEHICLE INDEED SURGED, REPLACED CONTROL VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY. ALSO HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT OWNER'S COST. *AK
NHTSA complaint #862492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE CAR HAS GOTTEN HORRENDOUS GAS MILEAGE, THE HORN INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT WORK AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I WAS TOLD "WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM." THE HORN ISSUE NEARLY RESULTED IN A CAR ACCIDENT LASTNIGHT AS THE HORN, AGAIN, DECIDED TO TAKE THE NIGHT OFF. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!
NHTSA complaint #721236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #608782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #607406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WINDSHIELD WIPERS OCCSAIONALLY FAIL TO OPERATE AT LOW SPEED OR SINGLE SWIPE MODE DUE TO WIPER STICKING ON WINDSHIELD AND MOTOR HORSEPOWER/TORQUE INSUFFICIENT TO BREAK "SEAL."
NHTSA complaint #711631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #607190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #608721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
TRANS SHIFT SOLONOID FAILURE.MGM
NHTSA complaint #606899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE GOING UPHILL WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.