Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Buick Lesabre owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. While driving at speeds of 30 MPH, the horn began to sound. The horn continued to sound until the vehicle was stopped and the hood was lifted. Upon closing the hood the horn began to sound again and would not stop until pressure was applied to the center of the steering wheel. The failure continued intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent vehicle care center and the horn was disabled. The failure mileage was 173,130 updated 06/25/10 updated 07/16/10
Dt: the consumer stated the horn will not stop blowing, and the air bag assembly is making a noise. The sound is coming out of the steering wheel. When driving the horn just starts blowing out of nowhere, it just starts blowing, specifically states the consumer. When pressing the horn pad it will stop sometimes. One has to press in a certain spot. The car is a 1997 Buick Lesabre. The consumer is going to call and see what GM can do. This has been happening for two weeks.
Engine caught on fire while trying to start vehicle , vehicle was a total loss, and manufacturer was unable to detect orgin of fire. Aaa detected a hot spot in the manifold and the fuel line runs along the manifold, also vehicle had an intake manifold leak, fire possibly fuel related.
Consumer put the key in the ignition and turned it to start up, and vehicle exploded into flames. Manufacturer was contacted, and said they had no responsiblity in the case. Consumer had bumper to bumper warranty with aproximately 22.200 miles on vehicle warranty.
I have replaced the instrument cluster panel (dashboard) in my car twice within the last 2 1/2 years. Each time I had to order a replacement and lost the use of my car for an extended period of time.
On11/22/2001 in the morning hours,I try to start the car when I heard a backfire explosion and then smoke came from under the hood. I did open the hood to do a visual inspection of the car to see what could be wrong, I seen nothing wrong with the car I started it and went to work.the same day I was driving from work to my home, when all of the sudden the car started jerking up and hesitating, I saw a thick and white cloud of smoke came from the the exaust . Smoke came from under the hood and I did turn off the car to investigate what could be the possible cause.when I opened the hood of the car, a strong gasoline odor came from the engine. I let the car to cool down and then I drove home. …
Dt: consumer owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. Consumer was driving when vehicle shut off. She was able to coast a little but not enough to get completely out of traffic. She was stuck in vehicle because everything on vehicle shut down due to the ground cable coming loose, not loose from the motor block. Vehicle has been worked on, she did no feel that cable coming loose was due to a defect. She was more concerned that when vehicle lost power she was stuck in vehicle with no way to escape. The door locked and power windows did not work. The biggest concern was that there was no manual lock that could be used to unlock the door when power failed. She was stuck in vehicle with vehicle in the road and in danger of oncoming traffic. She stayed in vehicle one hour on a very hot day until she was able to contact a friend on cell phone, and he came to help her.
While driving vehicle at night the headlights go dim for no reason. Owner has taken vehicle to dealer, and was told its the design of vehicle. Owner further notes that this problem has almost caused accidents. Ses light illuminated. When there is not even 300 pounds in vehicle and going over bumps, it bottoms out, dealer replaced rear springs and weak coil springs. Consumer had to wiggle key to get it out of the door, dealer filed key and lubricated the lock cylinder.
Electrical complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 11% of the model year's 394 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Buick Lesabre electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1997 Buick Lesabre, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Lesabre electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.