Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
I was in my driveway and put the shift in reverse, but it did not stay there. Instead it went back to drive and the accelerator was stuck on my 1997 Buick Lesabre traveled about 4 feet at high speed and struck a small tree. My insurance company totaled the car. My insurance premium went up for an accident that was not my fault. Can you give me the web site of a similar car and year in an accident in 2003 in california? Thank you, nikolaos (nick) caravasos
Transmission shudders between 30 to 40 MPH. Also at 50 MPH on the highway. Have been told May need transmission. Car only has 56,000 miles. Transmission fluid has been drained. Did not help. Please advise
Hello, I had a problem with my car hesitating going up a small grade or sometimes just driving down the road and took it back to the dealer. They told me it was a spark plug and fixed it. The problem continued and I took it to another dealer who said I needed a new transmission. Besides a new transmission, they also replaced the intake manifold gasket and put new brakes on the front with rotors. The receipt from the garage says the transmission had an 1870 trouble code. My car was purchased new and had 52,000 miles on it. The total cost was 4200.00. I asked the GM people for help with this expense as I am a single mother working 2 jobs and did not get a reply. I took out another loan to pay for this. Now, with almost 80,000 miles, the transmission is doing the same thing and my friend with a computer says it is the 1870 trouble code (when the check engine light comes on). …
Upon starting the vehicle it backfired and broke the intake manifold into several pieces. I found a recall indicating what had happened due to the powertrain control module. I gave this info to the dealer at gambacorta Buick at 427 w. Seventh st. New castle, delaware 19720 tel. No [phone]. They diagnosed it as a fuel pressure regulator leak causing the intake to crack. I have photos showing the intake manifold broken in two end to end about an inch wide. This seems to be more than a crack. When this happened it was an explosion. It was very loud inside the car. Referenced in ea02-030
My car jerks like a fish tugging on your line at different speeds and when coming up an incline. It also has a very strong odor that I smell when running the A/C. I smell it outside the car and occasionally I smell it inside the car.
The car accelerated itself in reverse and I was unable to stop it even though I had the brake pedal depressed as far as it would go. I had started the car, depressed the brake pedal (the brake must be engaged in order to put the car in gear) and the car shot back and would not stop. I was rather panicked as I was leaving a convenience store and was trying to avoid hitting the gas pumps, other vehicles and pedestrians. I managed to back the car into the street and attempted to put it in park so it would stop. The gear shift went into the park position, but the car did not stop. It proceeded across a busy street through a controlled intersection at approx.20-30 MPH. At it started across the street, I shut the car off. The brakes would still not stop it. It finally came to a stop after rolling into a curb. I had absolutely no control over the car other than to steer it. …
I had taken this vehicle back to the Buick dealership where I purchased it at 34K miles and told them it had a "miss" and that it "hesitated" driving down the road. They said it was a spark plug and replaced one. The last time I took it to another Buick dealer it needed 4,200.00 to make it road worthy including a new water pump, new transmission, new brakes and rotors. The service code on the car should have indicated failure of these parts when I took it to the first dealer.
Since I bought the vehicle, the car has gotten horrendous gas mileage, the horn intermittently does not work and the transmission has slipped. The car was taken back to the dealer and nothing was done. I was told "we were unable to find a problem." the horn issue nearly resulted in a car accident lastnight as the horn, again, decided to take the night off. This is not right!!
Dt: the contact stated the indicator light on the dashboard for the transmission illuminated. The vehicle has been to the dealer, and they completed a diagnostic test which showed transmission slippage. The dealer replaced two solenoid valves. The indicator light was working properly. The vehicle would not pass emissions testing with this light illuminating.
Veicle was in for transmission repair at local dealer/ serviceman was test driving vehicle after repair when vehicle caught fire underneath between transmissiom and gas tank, dealer claims not responsible, vehicle burned completely. Has there been any problems comparable to this situation ?
Transmission complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 8% of the model year's 394 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Buick Lesabre transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.