1996 Buick LeSabre
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 19 of 98 complaints (19%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 178 in 1995 to 98 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100 | 3,100 | 3,100 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 26 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444 | 444 | 444 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 178 | 98 | 394 | 400 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 8 | 26 | 15 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 31 | 43 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 7 | 24 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Buick LeSabre have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Buick LeSabre?
Engine: 19 of 98 NHTSA complaints (19%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Buick LeSabre get?
EPA rates it 20 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Buick LeSabre?
EPA estimates $3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 17 mpg | 27 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM · Campaign 96V116000 · Jul 8, 1996
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 95V204000 · Nov 1, 1995
Defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.