Buick LeSabre years to avoid
The Buick LeSabre years to avoid are 2000, 1998, 1997, 2001, 2002, 1999, 1993, 1992, 1995, 1994, 2004, 2003, 1996, 2005, 1990, 1987, 1991 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1981 is the cleanest year on record.
4,864
Total complaints
48
Recall campaigns
1967–2006
Years covered
17
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
LeSabre years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 849 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 518 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 514 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 460 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 380 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 268 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 264 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 245 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 235 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 220 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 212 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 209 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 121 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 95 | |
| 1990 | High complaint rate | 75 | |
| 1987 | High complaint rate | 53 | |
| 1991 | High complaint rate | 46 |
Every LeSabre year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2005avoid | 95 | 0 | |
| 2004avoid | 212 | 0 | |
| 2003avoid | 209 | 1 | |
| 2002avoid | 380 | 2 | |
| 2001avoid | 460 | 0 | |
| 2000avoid | 849 | 5 | |
| 1999avoid | 268 | 2 | |
| 1998avoid | 518 | 1 | |
| 1997avoid | 514 | 2 | |
| 1996avoid | 121 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 235 | 1 | |
| 1994avoid | 220 | 0 | |
| 1993avoid | 264 | 1 | |
| 1992avoid | 245 | 2 | |
| 1991avoid | 46 | 1 | |
| 1990avoid | 75 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 35 | 3 | |
| 1988 | 22 | 4 | |
| 1987avoid | 53 | 5 | |
| 1986 | 20 | 3 | |
| 1985 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 7 | 2 | |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1981 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1979 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1978 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1977 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1975 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1971 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1970 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Buick LeSabre years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the LeSabre years to avoid are 2000, 1998, 1997, 2001, 2002, 1999, 1993, 1992, 1995, 1994, 2004, 2003, 1996, 2005, 1990, 1987, 1991. The cleanest year on record is 1981.
What is the best year for the Buick LeSabre?
By complaint volume, 1981 has the cleanest NHTSA record among LeSabre years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Buick LeSabre have?
Across all model years, the LeSabre has 48 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 4,864 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.