The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 119 of 394 complaints (30%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 98 in 1996 to 394 in 1997.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 394
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $3,100
- Combined MPG
- 20
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100 | 3,100 | 3,100 | 2,950 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 26 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444 | 444 | 444 | 423 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 178 | 98 | 394 | 400 | 209 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 8 | 26 | 15 | 19 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 31 | 43 | 20 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 7 | 24 | 9 | 19 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 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 1997 Buick LeSabre have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Buick LeSabre?
Engine: 119 of 394 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Buick LeSabre get?
EPA rates it 20 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 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 | 119 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 40 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 42 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 36 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 37 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 55 | 19 | 2 | 20 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 30 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 35 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 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
- 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- 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.