NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Buick Lesabre Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Buick Lesabre has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 98 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buick dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Buick Lesabre, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1996 Buick Lesabre owner complaints

Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Buick Lesabre, describing incidents dated November 2, 1995 to April 26, 2019.

Most-cited components

Engine 19 complaints
Electrical System 14 complaints
Service Brakes 12 complaints
Air Bags 8 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
Power Train 6 complaints

Of the 98 complaints on file, 8 report a crash; across all 98 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11204263 · Filed April 28, 2019
WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP ON A CITY STREET BEHIND A CITY BUS WHICH WAS LOADING PASSENGERS WITH NO COLLISION OR CONTACT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG CAUSED BURNS TO THE PASSENGER'S HAND AND BOTH KNEES. IT ALSO CAUSED DEEP CONTUSIONS ON THE LEFT KNEE, CAUSING DIFFICULTIES WITH…
ODI #10824228 · Filed February 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A TUNE-UP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKETS, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
ODI #10731069 · Filed June 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE…

Read all 98 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Buick Lesabre in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA02-030: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed March 9, 2004
- Recall 04V-090
Preliminary Evaluation PE02-050: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed October 22, 2002

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Injection System

NHTSA #96V116000 · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 275,811 vehicles

Owners notified July 8, 1996 · Vehicles built July 1, 1995 – May 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L V6 ENGINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATIONS BEGAN DURING JULY 1996. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Electrical System — Ignition — Anti-Theft — Control Module

NHTSA #95V204000 · NHTSA notice

Reported October 23, 1995 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 32,869 vehicles

Owners notified September 22, 1995 · Vehicles built March 1, 1995 – August 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Notes

SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION; ANTI-THEFT; FMVSS NO. 114 AND NO. 208.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1996 Buick LeSabre 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

2 investigations

98 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Buick Lesabre.

Air Bags

ODI #11204263

1 injury

Incident: April 26, 2019 · Filed: April 28, 2019

WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP ON A CITY STREET BEHIND A CITY BUS WHICH WAS LOADING PASSENGERS WITH NO COLLISION OR CONTACT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG CAUSED BURNS TO THE PASSENGER'S HAND AND BOTH KNEES. IT ALSO CAUSED DEEP CONTUSIONS ON THE LEFT KNEE, CAUSING DIFFICULTIES WITH WALKING.

Engine

ODI #10824228

Incident: January 11, 2016 · Filed: February 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A TUNE-UP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKETS, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10731069

Incident: February 18, 2015 · Filed: June 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10644183

Incident: October 6, 2014 · Filed: October 12, 2014

HAD TO REMOVE DOME LIGHT BULBS BEAUSE IT DOESNT TURN OFF, THE LIGHTS ON THE REAR ST TIMES AND I'V JUST BOUGHT A SECOND BATTERY 3 DAYS AGO BECAUSE THE LIGHTING PROBLEM CAUES THEM TO BURN OUT. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WILL FADE OUT. MST TIME IT DOESNT AND I CAN'T TURN THEM OFF MANUALLY EITHER. JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10422642

Incident: August 26, 2011 · Filed: August 30, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COURTESY LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE AT ANY TIME EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO EXHIBIT A CHIMING NOISE, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10422504

Incident: August 25, 2011 · Filed: August 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE, THE ENGINE DROPPED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND BUSHING WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

Structure

ODI #10411918

Incident: July 10, 2011 · Filed: July 12, 2011

THE SUBFRAME RUSTED AND DROPED OUT OF THE CAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE STEERING AND SENDING IT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC . *TT

Structure

ODI #10335454

Incident: May 24, 2010 · Filed: June 9, 2010

1. WHILE DRIVING A BUICK LESABRE ON DRY, SMOOTH, HARD-SURFACE ROAD... IN AN INSTANT... 2. ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A STOP WITH BRAKES. NO DEATH, NO INJURY, NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE 3. THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WERE FOUND BROKEN... THIS ALLOWED THE STEERING MECHANISM TO BECOME DISCONNECTED.... THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED, THE MECHANISM WAS CONNECTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE 4. I CONTACTED THE PEOPLE AT BUICK 25 MAY.... AFTER FOUR DAYS OF DELAYS, THEY INFORMED ME OF THEIR DISINTEREST IN THIS CRITICAL FAILURE, REGARDLESS OF IT'S CERTAINTY TO RESULT IN FATALITIES.... PLEASE DISSEMINATE AN IMMEDIATE ALERT/RECALL/NOTICE/OTHER FYI..... YOUR FORM IS ENTITLED 'COMPLAINT'..... UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE, FACTUAL REPORT, NOT A COMPLAINT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10320525

Incident: March 1, 2010 · Filed: March 17, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK LESABRE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR THE VEHICLE BACK FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO STOP AN EVAPORATOR LEAK. THE REPAIR DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM BACK FIRING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OLDER THAN 10 YEARS OF AGE, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Air Bags

ODI #10298851

1 injury

Incident: January 2, 2010 · Filed: January 9, 2010

WHILE WAITING IN A PARKING LOT LANE FOR A PARKING SPACE TO OPEN, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I WAS NOT LEANING FORWARD, BUT I WAS LOOKING SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. THE BAG JUST HIT ME ON THE RIGHT SIDE FOREHEAD AND COVERED ME IN POWDER. I COULD NOT HEAR OUT OF MY RIGHT EAR, AND STILL CANNOT TODAY. *TR

Other Buick Lesabre model years

Check your 1996 Buick Lesabre VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buick Lesabre at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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