MYRModel Year Report

1997 Buick Lesabre

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Buick Lesabre
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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, 1997 highlighted. 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 5 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1987: 40 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1989: 27 complaints 1989 1990: 46 complaints 1991: 30 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 194 complaints 1993 1994: 158 complaints 1995: 178 complaints 1996: 98 complaints 1997: 394 complaints 1997 1998: 400 complaints 1999: 209 complaints 2000: 668 complaints 2001: 328 complaints 2001 2002: 309 complaints 2003: 164 complaints 2004: 162 complaints 2005: 77 complaints 2005 2006: 3 complaints 2006
1997: 394 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19810
19821
19831
19845
19855
198616
198740
198821
198927
199046
199130
1992189
1993194
1994158
1995178
199698
1997394
1998400
1999209
2000668
2001328
2002309
2003164
2004162
200577
20063

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 36 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 22 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

AT START UP, THE VEHICLE ENGINE EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *MR WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, RED FLAMES WERE SHOOTING FROM A HOLE THAT BURNED ON A GRAY COVER IN THE ENGINE. *SCC

NHTSA ODI report, 20030613

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960304 — seat belts

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."

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

Campaign 96V044000 — 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

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 394
I 20020613 — PE (closed 20021022)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Buick Lesabre — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V044000 (seat belts) 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 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Buick Lesabre reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Buick Lesabre is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Buick Lesabre?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Buick Lesabre have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.