Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. While driving at any speed, the vehicle shuts off and has to be restarted. The contact also stated that the vehicle caught fire under the hood. All passengers exited the vehicle safely and without injury. The vehicle has been to a service station on two separate occasions, but the failure still persists. The vehicle is no longer able to be driven. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 177,339 and failure mileage was 173,384. Updated 02-01-08. Updated 02/01/08
While entering the interstate highway, car started losing power at 50mph. After getting car up to a safe speed, got the car home where it then stopped running and would not re-start. Mechanic checked and found that the head gasket failed at 130,000 miles. This car has always been well maintained. Nearly caused me to be rear-ended as I was on a70mph interstate highway! Also, your website keeps telling me I have an "invalid VIN number!" this is the only one ever issued for this vehicle. What's with this?
There was an intake back fire when starting the engine. When taken to get serviced it was determined that the fire was caused by intake manifold. Recall campaign 96V116000:intake backfire during starting. Turned the ignition to start the car and heard a load noise. Then turned the ignition off and did not try again. Mechanic said luckily the car did not burn because there was gas on the engine. Mechanic called Buick, but they denied there was a problem and said the car was not covered.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. The driver noticed that the vehicle started to smoke. The fire department was notified. The vehicle was consumed with fire and was totaled. The contact believed that the fire originated under the hood. There were no injuries. The purchase date was not available. The current and failure mileages were about 95,000.
Engine coolant destroyed engine due to the degradation of upper intake mainifold materials around the EGR stove pipe. Without warning(no warning lights went on) while on the road coolant entered the pistons through the degradated upper intake manifold and caused engine failure. This could have caused a major accident as power was lost and speed dramatically dropped. Seems to be obvious engine design flaw in 3800 v-6 engines produced by GM in Buick lasabres, riveras, regals, Oldsmobile 98s, 88s. Intrigue, Pontiac bonnevilles, grand prix, & Chevrolet luminas, monte carlos over a period of years dating from 1995-1998 when they changed the manifold design. A service bulletin by GM #01-06-01-007a in July 18, 2001 indicated the GM is aware of defect and has since produced a different manifold to replace and repair problem but will not stand behind these engines when they fail without warning. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. The contact smelled a very strong odor of gasoline. In addition, the steering wheel would shake while driving at any speed. While performing a routine inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed that half of the radiator fluid was missing. He added more radiator fluid and noticed that fluid continue to disappear in the vehicle every four days. After numerous refills of radiator fluid, he took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the upper intake manifold needed to be replaced. In addition, the water pump needed to be replaced and the main gas line was leaking, which caused the strong odor. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The contact believes that the vehicle should be included in the recall. …
I would like to complain about the fact that the NHTSA has so little concern for safety that you charge $38.73 per hour and other fees to obtain recall or service bulletins about ones vehicle. I am sure that this charge does exactly as desired by consumers just giving up. Your work load must be near zero which I am sure was the desire. If safety was the desire the information would be available for one to search for free. Is that not what the government web sites are for. I hope homeland security does not take after your site. It would appear that the vehicle cooling leaked into the engine due to a plastic intake manifold failure. Hard to believe a company would make it from plastic. I also believe if I had access to the infomation I would find that many other vehicles had the same failure and the manufacturer should bear responsibility.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Buick Lesabre. When the contact placed the key into the ignition and attempted to start the vehicle, the engine exploded with a very loud noise. He shut off the vehicle and checked the engine. When he opened the hood, he noticed that the intake manifold and the engine cover were shattered into many pieces. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that he never saw a vehicle with this type of defect. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The contact believes that the vehicle should be included in the recall since the failures are identical. The vehicle is still at the shop and has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 13,000.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Engine complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 119 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 30% of the model year's 394 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (45 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Buick Lesabre engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 19 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.