Complaints
121
Crashes
10
Fires
0
Injuries
7
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Buick Lesabre Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#18 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Avg mileage:90,509 mi
#26 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:130,000 mi
Crash-related:4
#36 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:22,000 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Buick Lesabre.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 8 | — | — | 90,509 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 | 4 | — | 130,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | 22,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | 1 | — | 100,061 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | 2 | — | 103,920 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 5 | — | — | 92,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,509
Air Bags:Frontal
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
130,000
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
22,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,061
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,920
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,000
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Buick Lesabre. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Lesabre Years
1996 Buick Lesabre — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Buick Lesabre reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1996 Buick Lesabre has 121 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Buick Lesabre?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe (8 complaints, avg 90,509 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (6 complaints, avg 130,000 mi); Unintended Acceleration (6 complaints, avg 22,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Buick Lesabre?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 89,028 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Buick Lesabre include 10 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Buick Lesabre as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Buick Lesabre?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Lesabre reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Buick Lesabre
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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