Complaints
514
Crashes
30
Fires
49
Injuries
26
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Buick Lesabre Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#145 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:90,963 mi
Fires:20
#222 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Avg mileage:72,491 mi
Fires:3
#321 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:60,750 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Buick Lesabre.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 45 | — | 20 | 90,963 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 22 | — | 3 | 72,491 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 21 | 1 | — | 60,750 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 20 | — | 2 | 107,384 mi | |
| Airbags | 16 | 3 | — | 129,221 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 16 | — | 3 | 87,643 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 14 | — | 6 | 72,828 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 13 | — | 4 | 105,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 | 11 | 1 | 136,060 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 12 | — | — | 62,940 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 12 | 2 | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 11 | — | 3 | 95,409 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 10 | 1 | — | 187,976 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | — | — | 148,345 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | — | — | 139,715 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 8 | — | — | 177,364 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 8 | 1 | 1 | 150,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | — | — | 53,300 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | — | — | 62,269 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 | — | — | 129,091 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 | — | — | 85,232 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 5 | — | — | 125,065 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 5 | — | — | 166,500 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 | — | — | 90,000 mi |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
45
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
20
Avg Miles
90,963
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
72,491
Automatic Transmission
21
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,750
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
107,384
Airbags
16
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
129,221
Engine & Cooling
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
87,643
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
72,828
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
105,000
Air Bags:Frontal
12
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
136,060
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,940
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
95,409
Engine Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
187,976
Suspension Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
148,345
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
139,715
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
177,364
Tire Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
150,000
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,300
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,269
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
129,091
Tires:Tread/Belt
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,232
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
125,065
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
166,500
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Buick Lesabre. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Lesabre Years
1997 Buick Lesabre — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Buick Lesabre reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1997 Buick Lesabre has 514 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline with 45 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Buick Lesabre?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (45 complaints, avg 90,963 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe (22 complaints, avg 72,491 mi); Automatic Transmission (21 complaints, avg 60,750 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 1997 Buick Lesabre?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 102,765 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Buick Lesabre include 30 crash-related reports, 49 fire reports, 26 injuries, and 1 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 1997 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 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 1997 Buick Lesabre?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
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 1997 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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