Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Rearview mirror, while driving, is loose and tilts very often. Needs to be adjusted, it will dangle, go back and forth, it is still attached to the wire and swings. Can eventually hit the driver in the head. Dealer contacted and cannot repair the mirror. Accident occurred and mirror hit windshield,and the windshield was shattered.
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.
Car clouded up. Obstructing vision. Mechanic replaced heater core with GM part. Same thing happened in days. Replaced with another...same thing happened again. Supplier to mechanic indicated a common fault with that part. A third part (aftermarket) has been installed. If these GM parts were known by supplier to be faulty, why have they not been recalled and why did he not inform mechanic before the installation? Mechanic has installed part three times, and only been paid once. I was almost in an accident, hit a curb to avoid being hit. And lost a perfectly good tire as a result of loss of visibility. I have no complaint with the original part...the car has high mileage (Buick lesabe, 1997,) just the two replacement parts that were pressure tested and failed within days of usage.
Every now and then when turning on the windshield wipers they do not come on. Reported to dealer in September of 97. Dealer not able to duplicate the problem. In March the circuit board was replaced, but the prolbem still continued. Vehicle taken to dealer again on May 8th. Dealer could not detect the problem with vehicle.
Windshield wipers will not operate in the wash/mist/delay or low speed mode until they are switched to high speed mode.after the windshield wipers ar eplaced in the high speed mode the other modes will operate correctly. Also, intermittent howling sound when brakes are used.
Windshield wipers have to work on high speed for a while before they can operate on normal speed. Vehicle been to dealer on four occasions, and problem still occurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
There is a bar in the front windows, this bar requires mounting of the rear view mirror in a foward position, which consumer believes is too close to the driver, which creates a blind spot for the driver.
The sub frame bushing is completely rotted. Day it was sold to me passed inspection but on car fax it failed safety inspection? It cracks and creaks when turning left.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and the airbags did not deploy. The windshield broke and the glass flew in the driver's face. The manufacturer has been notified.
While driving, upon lowering both rear windows, experiences violent vibration which becomes worse as vehicle accelerates, requires excessive effort to maintain controlof vehicle, not fixed.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 6% of the model year's 394 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Buick Lesabre window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.