VehicleVerdict

1971 Buick LeSabre problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1971 Buick LeSabre — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1971 compare to other LeSabre years?

LeSabre NHTSA complaints by model year, 1971 highlighted849 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 1 complaints1972: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 7 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 53 complaints1988: 22 complaints1989: 35 complaints1990: 75 complaints1991: 46 complaints1992: 245 complaints1993: 264 complaints1994: 220 complaints1995: 235 complaints1996: 121 complaints1997: 514 complaints1998: 518 complaints1999: 268 complaints2000: 849 complaints2001: 460 complaints2002: 380 complaints2003: 209 complaints2004: 212 complaints2005: 95 complaints2006: 4 complaints
LeSabre NHTSA complaints by model year, 1971 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LeSabre years to avoid →

What are the most common 1971 Buick LeSabre problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels1100%

Does the 1971 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

73V013000Body & StructureJanuary 24, 1973 · 3,707,064 units

Defect

THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT DRIVING ON UNPAVED ROAD SURFACES, PARTICULARLY ROADS WHICH ARE HEAVILY GRAVELED AND WHICH ARE EXTREMELY WAVY OR FILLED WITH CHUCKHOLES, AT SPEEDS WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO PITCH EXCESSIVELY, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY SCOOP UP LOOSE STONES OR GRAVEL AND COULD BE THROWN INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ONE OF THESE STONES TO LODGE BETWEEN THE STEERING COUPLING AND THE FRAME AND CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT.

Consequence

INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERINGCONTROL MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSPECT AND INSTALL SHIELD ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

72V013000Tires & WheelsJanuary 15, 1972 · 30,885 units
71V127000Visibility & WipersAugust 2, 1971 · 15,000 units

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE FIRST TIRE FAILED AT ABOUT 70 MPH. THE ENTIRE RUBBER TREAD PEALED AWAY FROM THE TIRE CASING. ALTHOUGH THE CAR SWERVED BADLY I MANAGED TO STOP WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE PEELING RUBBER CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE DEALER (STRAUS DISCOUNT AUTO) REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 3, 2000

1971 Buick LeSabre — common questions

Is the 1971 Buick LeSabre reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1971 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1971 Buick LeSabre. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Buick LeSabre years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among LeSabre years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.