NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Buick Lesabre Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1997 Buick Lesabre has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 393 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 1997 Buick Lesabre, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1997 Buick Lesabre owner complaints

Owners have filed 393 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Buick Lesabre, describing incidents dated April 1, 1996 to February 20, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 116 complaints
  • Electrical System 39 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 39 complaints
  • Air Bags 33 complaints
  • Power Train 33 complaints
  • Service Brakes 28 complaints

Of the 393 complaints on file, 26 report a crash and 31 a fire; across all 393 complaints, owners report 23 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11574509 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11270491 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11121343 · Filed

    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…

Read all 393 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 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.

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.

Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly

NHTSA #96V044000 · NHTSA notice

Reported March 5, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 15,122 vehicles

Owners notified March 4, 1996 · Vehicles built January 1, 1996 – February 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.

Notes

SYSTEM: INTERIOR; ACTIVE RESTRAINTS; BELT BUCKLES, FMVSS NO. 209. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Other Buick Lesabre model years

Check your 1997 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.

Check a Buick VIN