Page 2 of 2 · complaints 51–98 of 98

1996 Buick Lesabre complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1996 record →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 18, 2000CT

BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER.*AK ABRAKE LINE RUNNING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS UNIT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. ALL SIX STEEL BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO FOUND CORRODED. *YH

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Sep 9, 2000OR

ON 2 SEPARATE INCIDENCES, THE BATTERY LEAKED ONTO THE CABLE & LEFT ME STRANDED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS & IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE 2 YEARS APART. THE FIRST TIME MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALER & THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME EVEN THO THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MID-SUMMER AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AND THE BATTERY COMPANY SAID THAT THE DEALER WAS AT FAULT FOR THE WAY IT WAS INSTALLED. (TOO TIGHT) I WAS GIVEN A ROYAL RUN-AROUND.

Tires › Tread/Belt1 injured
Filed Aug 30, 2000NE

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE/ IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE # P205/P0R15/70R15 CONSUMER NOTIFIED FIRESTONE. *AK BEFORE THE TIRE WAS SEPARATED COMPLETELY, PIECE OF CHROME TRIM WAS RIPPED OFF. DOOR HANDLE ON FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS DAMAGED TOO. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Aug 23, 2000WI

FRONT BRAKES WARPED CAUSING FRONT BRAKES TO PULSATE WHEN APPLIED. NLM

Tires
Filed Jun 21, 2000FL

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. ALSO, BOLTS THAT HOLD RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER IT APPEARED VEHICLE WAS TOO OVERTORQUED FROM THE FACTORY. *AK BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND WORN ON SIDE EDGES. 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE RACK TO THE FRAME ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, ONE BOLT HAD BROKEN OFF. BATTERY WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED CORROSION IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTER, DEALER HAD TO REMOVE ALL CABLE INSULATION AND REPLACE POSITIVE CABLE BOLT AND BATTERY, LEAK CAUSED VEHICLE NOT TO START. *SLC

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 7, 2000CA

FUEL PUMP MAKES A LOUD HUMMING OR BUZZING NOISE AT IDLE OR ANY SPEED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 14, 2000ID

WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. TOKK TO DEALER, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE HEADLAMP CONTROL MODULE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Dec 21, 1999SC

BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS CONTROLLER TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LEAKING BECAUSE A HOLE THAT WAS RUBBED THROUGH THE LINE AT THE TRANSMISSION SIDE COVER. ALSO ABS LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. OWNER DISCOVERED THE LEAK WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Nov 18, 1999IL

REPORTING FAULTY BRAKE ROTORS; DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ROTORS COULD NOT BE TURNED BECAUSE OF SCALING AND PITTING / ROTORS NEVER BEEN TURNED BEFORE, AND ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Oct 29, 1999UT

THE DISC BRAKE PADS WORN PREMATURELY. NLM

Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
Filed Oct 25, 1999AZ

DRIVER WENT TO CHANGE TIRE BY USING JACK THAT CAME EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE WHEN IT FOLDED OVER WHILE SUPPORTING VEHICLE, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJUIRES. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 19, 1999IN

WHEN TAKING IT OUT OF ANY GEAR ,ALL 3 DOORS WILL UNLOCK EXCEPT FOR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. ,IT MUST BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED BEFORE PASSENGER CAN GET OUT. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 14, 1999NJ

WHILE DRIVING OH HIGHWAY VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP THE RPMS WENT UP. BUT AS CONSUMER REAPPLIED GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO. NO PRIOR WARNING. NO INDICATION OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND DIDN'T WANT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE .TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Aug 27, 1999CA

ELECTRICAL POWER FAILURE/ BATTERY IS LEAKING ACID AND CORROSION ON BOTH CABLES.

Suspension
Filed Jul 26, 1999OH

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR ABOVE ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 26, 1999NJ

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AT 30 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Jan 7, 1999NJ

IF VEHICLE REMAINS OUTDOORS IN NEW ZERO TEMPERATURE THE HORN FAILS TO WORK.

Wheels › Rim
Filed Nov 9, 1998GA

WHEN CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE NOTICED WHEELS WERE RIPPED AROUND THE RIM, BIG CRACKS. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Sep 9, 1998IN

COMPUTER CHIP FAILURE CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON.

Structure › Body › Trunk Lid
Filed May 4, 1998OK

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK LID FLIES UP WITH OUT INDICATIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock
Filed Mar 3, 1998IN

TRUNK POPS OPEN WHEN DRIVING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE LATCH.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 5, 1997IL

BRAKES MAKE SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 27, 1997CA

ONE CYLINDER LEFT BANK FAILED. MJS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System
Filed Oct 27, 1997CA

UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FRACTURED RESULTING IN FAILURE.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Oct 27, 1997CA

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED CAUSING LEAK.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 4, 1997VA

VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Sep 18, 1997CA

SEALS WITHIN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 29, 1997CA

ELECTRIC WINDOW FAILED.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 23, 1997TX

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 9, 1997WV

THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 26, 1997IN

ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 12, 1997CA

GENERAL TIRE TREAD WORN. ( SIZE P205/70R15 WORN)

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed Jan 24, 1997PA

VEHICLE DRIFTS TO RIGHT AND TIRES WEAR UNEVENLY, TRIED TO FIX THREE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WORKED ON THE VEHICLE, SUGGESTED THAT STEERING RACK WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTY THAT MECHANIC HAD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM AN ALL-WHEEL ALIGNMENT. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 7, 1997IA

HIT A DEER AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT PASSENGER IN THE LEG . *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jan 6, 1997MD

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE DIES OUT WITHOUT WARNING, OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERS WITH UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS. *AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Nov 14, 1996NY

WHEEL RIMS CRACKED, CAUSING A LOSS OF AIR INTO THE TIRES. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Nov 6, 1996OH

HEAD RESTS ARE DESIGNED TO LOW FOR PROTECTION.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Oct 21, 1996NY

AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR FAILED.

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Sep 19, 1996IL

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE HORN WHICH WILL NOT SOUND NO MATTER HOW HARD IT IS DEPRESSED.

Suspension
Filed Sep 13, 1996CA

VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT CONTINUALLY EVEN AFTER ALIGNMENT WORK COMPLETED.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System
Filed Jul 12, 1996TX

HE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE AND HE CALLED THE DEALER AS INSTRUCTED IN THE LETTER AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PART ISN'T IN YET. (RECALL-96V116000). *AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 18, 1996NY

THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO WEAR OFTEN.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 20, 1996CA

VECHILE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING, LOSS OF POWER. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 25, 1996IN

WHEN STARTING, COLD START VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD FOUR INCHES. BUICK STATES THIS IS NORMAL SINCE 1993 AND DON'T FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Suspension
Filed Mar 25, 1996IL

FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS RUSTED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. *DH

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 5, 1996TX

VEHICLE DRIFTS TO RIGHT. *DSH

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Feb 9, 1996FL

NO MATTER WHAT CLOTH OR LINING PLACED ON DASH, REFLECTION SHOWS UPON WINDSHIELD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Feb 9, 1996OH

AFTER ADJUSTING, HEAD REST DOESN'T PROVIDE NECK PROTECTION. OWNER HAS CONTACTED GM MOBILITY GROUP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 1996 Buick Lesabre → · Every Lesabre year → · How the figures are calculated →