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Model Year Problem Record

Buick Lesabre 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Buick Lesabre: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

394Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
79Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine126 complaints

126 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System42 complaints

42 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V116000.

Brakes41 complaints

41 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts23 complaints

23 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V044000.

Suspension20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

96V044000Reported March 5, 1996 - 15,122 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on March 5, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 15,122 vehicles across all affected models.

96V116000Reported July 1, 1996 - 275,811 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 1, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 275,811 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA02030Opened October 22, 2002 - Closed March 9, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V090000.

EA02030Opened October 22, 2002 - Closed March 9, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V090000.

EA02030Opened October 22, 2002 - Closed March 9, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V090000.

PE02050Opened June 13, 2002 - Closed October 22, 2002

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199617
199748
199831
199951
200040
200127
200240
200329
200425
200515
200610
20074
20089
200911
20109
20111
20122
20134
20146
20156
20162
20173
20182
20191
20241
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.