Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 514 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 18.0 times the median LeSabre year — the 1997 model ranks #3 of 36 LeSabre years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 26 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
Engine leads the complaint categories with 137 reports (27% of the total).
514
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
2
Investigations
30
Crash-involved
49
Fires reported
26
Injuries
1
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 137 | 27% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 46 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 45 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 42 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 33 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 33 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 31 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 25 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 23 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 20 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 17 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 17 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 12 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 11 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 9 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Other | 9 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 2 | 0% | — flat |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 2 | 0% | ▼ down |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Defect
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE INCORRECT SAFETY BELT AND/OR SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ENDS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN INCORRECT PART IS USED, THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED WITH FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT…”
“WHEN CONSUMER STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A HUGE EXPLOSION, THEN FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE BATTERY WAS STILL SMOKING, AND THE ENGINE AND WIRES WERE BURNT. RECALL 96V116000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE FUEL CARBURETOR MANIFOLD INTAKE. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT…”
“ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE TRYING TO START VEHICLE , VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AND MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO DETECT ORGIN OF FIRE.*AK AAA DETECTED A HOT SPOT IN THE MANIFOLD AND THE FUEL LINE RUNS ALONG THE MANIFOLD, ALSO VEHICLE HAD AN INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, FIRE POSSIBLY FUEL RELATED. *SLC”
“WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH ON INTERSTATE, ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK, PEDAL DID NOT MOVE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAREND VEHICLE IN FRONT. HAD TO DOWNSHIFT AND USE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP. 2 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CONSUMER DID EXPERIENCE BRAKE PEDAL…”
“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE DRIVER WAS EVACUATED. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 514 complaints put the 1997 model at #3 of 36 LeSabre years. It is one of the LeSabre years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (137 complaints), fuel system (46 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Buick LeSabre. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.