Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Buick Lesabre
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Buick Lesabre has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 393 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #96V116000 Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Injection System NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V044000 Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 107 complaints
- Electrical System 39 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 37 complaints
- Air Bags 33 complaints
- Power Train 33 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 26 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Buick LeSabre has significant engine and fuel system issues, as supported by numerous complaints. These problems, along with electrical system woes, suggest reliability concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $600–$1,000 | very common |
| electrical system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $400–$800 | common |
| fuel injection system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$900 | common |
| power train | 80,000–110,000 miles | $700–$1,200 | occasional |
| brake system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant flush
- Spark plug replacement
- Timing belt inspection
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine overheating
- Frequent engine misfires
- Unusual fuel consumption
- Electrical shorts
- Transmission slipping
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Buick Lesabre at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.