Most common 1997 Buick Lesabre problems
Share of the 394 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Lesabre complaints by model year
Best Lesabre years: 2005, 1996, 2003. Years to avoid: 2000, 1998, 1997. Compare all years →
1997 Buick Lesabre recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
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.
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1997 Buick Lesabre:
Engine compartment fires
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with GM?s actions in 03v-473 and 04v-090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a…
What 1997 Buick Lesabre owners say
Engine & cooling all 119 →
The contact's friend owns a 1997 Buick LeSabre The contact stated that the hood was difficult to open and close. The latch was in the correct location. The contact stated that while her roommate was driving at 45 MPH, the hood opened and detached. The driver pulled over, and a 2012 Chevrolet crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries. The air bags did not deploy, and there was no fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. The contact called the dealer, who informed them that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 196,400.
We were driving and heard it missing and it started overheating, so we put more water in and decided to come home. So when we turned around it died 2x then the cylinders locked up and it wouldnt start. When we got home my husband found water in the intake and the oil. So we replaced the intake gasket and put it back together and it did it again, but then it made a loud noise and we found that the bar connection the piston to the crank shaft busted. The car only has 103,k miles on it.. Dont understand how its even possible. The only other person that owned it was an old guy. We only put 300miles on it when this happened.
Electrical system all 42 →
The horn will sound without pressing the horn button(s) when the car is in motion or unoccupied. This occurs when the weather is cold. I have researched this online and it is apparently an issue for many owners. Part of the air bag contracts during the winter months pressing on part of the horn button. The only way to shut it off is to pull the horn fuse. I am concerned this May lead to an electrical fire if the horn sounds for too long or an air bag malfunction. Also, the vehicle has to be driven without the ability to use the horn.
I have not seen a fire yet but it has been smoking in the front of the car since 2010 when I brought the car used for 2800.00 at jims towing service in elizabeth new jersey and every time the car broke down whether it was electrical or what he had gotten mad at me for not bringing it to him and then the check engine kept on coming on and come to find out last month and the car cost me 2000.00 dollars to fix and the month before that the garage I went to navarro's had fixed the horn because that was going on and off again and sometimes the lights flicker and other things and now the security alarm does not work and yesterday while shopping I asked my daughter what that sound was it was my horn again shorting and disconnected it again it has done that too many times and I cannot afford a new car with 6 people living in my house and iam the only one working right now and does any mechanic …
Fuel & propulsion system all 40 →
Intake manifold failed water leaked internally into combustion chamber causing hydrolocking of engine. Upon researching causative actions I find that general motors is aware of this defect and has redesigned the faulty parts but disavow any culpability even though a conscientious owner who properly maintains the vehicle cannot know what is transpiring inside a composite materials intake manifold,many have been known to burst into a fire and destroy the vehicles. One would tend to believe this to be a significant safety threat that should be addressed in a recall to replace this recognized failure of significant numbers,I that would warrant manufacturers replacement to provide safe transportation. By the grace of god I noted the vehicle acting up and returned home just as the engine quit and now is hydrolocking due to coolant filling combustion cylinders.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle back fired causing an explosion when an attempt was made to turn vehicle on. The vehicle was rendered un-drivable and was towed to dealers for service. The dealers determined that a leaky fuel regulator caused the back fire that destroyed upper intake of manifold, which could also lead to fires. The dealers replaced the fuel regulator and upper intake manifold. The manufacturer was also contacted to see if vehicle was part of a recall. The manufacturers determined the vehicle was not a part of the recall.
1997 Buick Lesabre engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Buick Lesabre a good car?
Based on 394 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Lesabre rates use caution: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Lesabre at the same age. It is one of the Lesabre years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Buick Lesabre?
The engine & cooling — 119 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the electrical system (42) and fuel & propulsion system (40).
How many recalls does the 1997 Buick Lesabre have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 Buick Lesabre, the most recent from July 1, 1996 (fuel injection system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Lesabre?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1996 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 1998 and 1997. See the full Buick Lesabre years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Lesabre problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 97,000 miles; 16% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.