MotorDeets

Buick Lesabre problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Lesabre from 1990 to 2006: 3,609 owner complaints and 19 recalls across 17 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2000 (669), 1998 (400), 1997 (394). Best fuel economy: 21 mpg combined (2005).

Buick Lesabre
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Engine & cooling645
Visibility (wipers, glass)556
Electrical504
Brakes (hydraulic)353
Airbags288
Body & structure286
Transmission & drivetrain249
Fuel system234

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
199004619
199103020
1992218919
1993119420
1994015820
1995117820
199629820
1997239420
1998140021
1999220921
2000566920
2001032820
2002231021
2003116421
2004016221
200507721
200603–

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Buick Lesabre.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Buick Lesabre?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2000 (669), 1998 (400), 1997 (394).

How many recalls has the Buick Lesabre had?

Across 1990–2006, NHTSA lists 19 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).