1997 Buick Lesabre: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Buick Lesabre: 2 recalls, 394 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #96V044000 · 1996 · 15,122 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Consequence of non-compliance: if an incorrect part is used, the belt May not latch properly, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant should a vehicle crash occur.
The fix: Dealers will inspect all front and rear safety belt latch ends and safety belt buckles for correct parts and replace any incorrect parts.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #96V116000 · 1996 · 275,811 vehicles
What's wrong: A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
Why it matters: This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 31 mention a fire, 24 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (110): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (22), leaks (21), fire / smoke (20).
- Electrical (42): the most common themes are electrical failure (11), stalls / loses power (9), fire / smoke (7).
- Fuel system (37): the most common themes are leaks (16), fire / smoke (7), stalls / loses power (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (33): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (14), warning light on (4).
The 1997 Buick Lesabre has 394 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 17 Lesabre model years for complaints (1.9× the average Lesabre year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (55 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 97,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (98 complaints, 2 recalls), 1998 (400 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Buick Lesabre.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Buick Lesabre. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Buick Lesabre problems?
Owners have filed 394 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (110), electrical (42), fuel system (37).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Buick Lesabre get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Buick Lesabre repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.