Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Buick LeSabre, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling110
- Electrical system42
- Fuel system, gasoline37
- Power train33
- Air bags33
- Visibility28
- Service brakes, hydraulic27
- Steering25
- Seat belts22
- Suspension20
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 24 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 30 1997 LeSabre vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 25 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Buick LeSabre failed the safety check 0.38% of the time — 76% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 98,360 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 11.4 L/100 km (about 21 mpg US), CO₂ 262 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeSabre · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 13.6 | 8.7 | 11.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1997 Buick LeSabre.
| 1996099 11 Jul 1996 | 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 POSS… |
| 1996045 7 Mar 1996 | 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 bu… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Buick told its dealers about the 1997 Buick LeSabre: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634813 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT |
| 623615 | INFORMATION REGARDING EXTRA CLIPS IN THE 4T65E TRANSMISSION. *SLC |
| 620835 | EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION, OR AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK NEAR OR UNDER THE THROTTLE BODY AREA OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TT |
| 619370 | OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT |
| 619177 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REPEAT ENGINE OIL PAN LEAK. *TT |
| 619176 | ENGINE COOLANT CONSUMPTION OR COOLANT LEAK (INSPECT FOR MATERIAL DEGRADATION/REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLDS) *TT UPDATED 11/02/07 *NJ |
| 6089996 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT |
| 603085 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THERE IS CORROSION ( RUST ) APPEARING ON THE LEFT AND /OR RIGHT ROCKER PANEL(S). *YC |
| 602997 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE VEHICLE SURGING AT 72 TO 89 KM/H ( 45 TO 55 MPH ). *YC |
| 602979 | SOME COMMENTS ON VEHICLE SURGE. *YC |
| 602751 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE VEHICLE |
| 601775 | INFORMATION ON FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE: CHECK FOR POOR CONNECTION AT C200. *YC |
| 601769 | INFORMATION ON GROWLING NOISE IN TRANSAXLE DURING FIRST FOUR MINUTES AFTER START UP. *YC |
| 601398 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ABOUT ON A GAP BETWEEN THE PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) MODULE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TRIM PLATE. *YC |
| 601052 | EXPERIENCING A TRANSAXLE GEAR WHINE NOISE ON COAST DOWN OR LIGHT ACCELERATION BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH. *YC |
| 600209 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE FUEL GAUGE REMAINS ON "FULL" TOO LONG. *TT |
| 54421 | EXPERIENCE A TRANSAXLE GEAR WHINE NOISE ON COAST DOWN OR LIGHT ACCELERATION. *YC |
| 54327 | COMMENTS OF AN ENGINE OIL LEAK THAT APPEARS TO ORIGINATE TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE; REAR OF ENGINE. *YC |
| 54285 | EXPERIENCING A TRANSAXLE GEAR WHINE NOISE ON COAST DOWN OR LIGHT ACCELERATION. *YC |
| 54205 | CONDITION WITH OUTER REAR SEAT BELTS ARE DIFFICULT TO FASTEN. *YC |
| 54065 | COMMENTS ON INOPERATIVE POWER DOOR LOCKS (FRONT AND/OR REAR DOORS). |
| 54063 | COMMENTS THAT THE PARK BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT SETTING CORRECTLY OR RELEASING PREMATURELY WHILE TRYING TO SET THE PARK BRAKE. *YC |
| 54062 | COMMENTS ON INSUFFICIENT RANGE OF THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM. *YC |
| 53015 | WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED FORCE OR ENGINE LOAD MAY AFFECT AND CAUSE VARIOUS NOISES. *YC |
| 52603 | INTERMITTENT A/C SYSTEM THUMP NOISE ON INITIAL START UP FROM FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL (REPLACE ACCUMULATOR). *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation