1996 Buick LeSabre problems
Owners have filed 121 complaints about the 1996 Buick LeSabre with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 15.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 13.2%.
Complaints121
Crashes10
Fires0
Injuries7
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 15.7% · 19
Electrical system 13.2% · 16
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.2% · 16
Fuel system, gasoline 7.4% · 9
Air bags 6.6% · 8
Power train 5.8% · 7
Vehicle speed control 5.0% · 6
Structure 5.0% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 10 describe a crash and 7 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 13 model years of the Buick LeSabre in this data, 1996 draws comparatively few complaints; 2000 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 89,492 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer noticed anitfreeze on the driveway under their vehicle. The consumer took vehicle to the dealership to have it serviced. The dealership indicated that there was a crack in the upper manifold, which was the cause of the leak. There's a service bulletin for this part, the egr valve was replaced because of excessive heat. The consumer requested reimbursement for repairs. *Ts *jg *nlm Engine and engine cooling · reported at 48,305 miles
A deteriorating plenum was causing coolant to get into engine cylinders. Dealer notified, and repairs made at consumer's cost. *Ak the heat from the egr valve burns a hole inside the wall of planam allowing the engine to suck coolant into cylinders and causing the engine to lose power steering and brakes resulting in accident. Engine and engine cooling
- The contact has a 1996 Buick LeSabre which has a hole in the upper intake manifold. The general motors dealer stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. He then called the Buick dealer who concerured. The contact found recall 96v116000 on the nhtsa website. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 119,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Buick LeSabre years
1993 264 complaints · 31.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1994 220 complaints · 16.8% engine and engine cooling 1995 235 complaints · 19.1% air bags 1997 514 complaints · 24.7% engine and engine cooling 1998 518 complaints · 42.5% engine and engine cooling 1999 268 complaints · 29.9% engine and engine cooling