MYRModel Year Report

1996 Buick Lesabre

▲ Better than typical
1996 Buick Lesabre
RENDERED 2026-09-16T18:18:59.627Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Lesabre Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 5 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 44 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 47 complaints 1990 1991: 30 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 196 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 178 complaints 1996: 98 complaints 1996 1997: 394 complaints 1998: 400 complaints 1998 1999: 209 complaints 2000: 669 complaints 2001: 328 complaints 2002: 310 complaints 2002 2003: 164 complaints 2004: 162 complaints 2005: 77 complaints 2006: 3 complaints 2006
1996: 98 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19810
19821
19831
19845
19855
198616
198744
198821
198927
199047
199130
1992191
1993196
1994168
1995178
199698
1997394
1998400
1999209
2000669
2001328
2002310
2003164
2004162
200577
20063

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%

19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES 16%

16% of complaints: service brakes — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and 12v/24v/48v battery.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150629

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141012

Also filed under EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190428

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AT 30 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19990726

HIT A DEER AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT PASSENGER IN THE LEG . *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970107

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump and carburetor system.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19950922 — electrical system

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 AN

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

Campaign 95V204000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960708 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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.

Campaign 96V116000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020613 — PE (closed 20021022)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Buick Lesabre — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 95V204000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1991 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 1998 ■ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Buick Lesabre reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Buick Lesabre is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Buick Lesabre?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Lesabre have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.