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1992 Buick Lesabre problems

The most common problem on the 1992 Buick Lesabre is brakes. It has 1.2 times the complaints of a typical Lesabre model year.

Typical year1.2x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
189
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
17
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 1992 Buick Lesabre problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1992 Buick Lesabre

ABS 22Brake failure 19Fire or smoke 14Stalling 11No deployment 5

Recalls 2

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported January 23, 1996 · 585,182 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
Risk
Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.

Recall number 96V015000 · Recall details

Parking brake: conventional: mechanicalReported September 23, 1991 · 20,765 vehicles affected
What is wrong
When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.
Risk
Depending on the extent of the lever release and roadlevel. The parking brake may not hold the vehicle, allowing it to roll, whichcould result in an accident. Vehicle does not comply with fmvss 105.
Remedy
Replace parking brake lever assembly.

Recall number 91V167000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1992 Buick Lesabre

Defect investigations

Fuel line failureOpened May 3, 1993, closed May 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

EA93011

Brake caliper corrosionOpened April 15, 1992, closed August 14, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE92039

Fuel line connector failsOpened January 27, 1992, closed May 22, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE92010

Technical service bulletins for the 1992 Buick Lesabre 17

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 17 bulletins for the 1992 Buick Lesabre

1992 Buick Lesabre fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylFWD162619

What 1992 Buick Lesabre owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 3, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 240,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. The contact noticed coolant leaking from under the vehicle. While the parking brake was engaged, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling down an incline. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 96v015000 (power train) and 91v167000 (parking brake) however, the contact's VIN was excluded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2009 · Body, Steering · 177,000 miles · MN

1) driving on smooth pavement at 35mph, sudden and harsh thud was felt vehicle veered out of it's traffic lane, steering the vehicle was nearly impossible. Operated brake to stop vehicle. 2) inspection reveals both rear engine cradle mounting bolts failed, dropping engine/transaxle onto steering column, steering gear being pulled away and nearly separated from steering column. 3) initial inspection determines vehicle minimally needs replacement of engine cradle bolts, replacement of damaged sway bar links. Repairs pending. This failure is similar to recall of buickregal 1988-1991, ford taurus/merc sable 1987-1995 and others...

Filed Oct 3, 2008 · Transmission · 127,543 miles · MO

I own a 1992 buick lesbare limited that I was driving to work on the morning jan 14 2003. The temperature was below freezeing. I was about 3 miles from home when I happened to look in the rear view mirror and noticed a lot of smoke rolling out from under my car. I immediately pull over and turned the engine off. I opened the hood and found transmission fuild all over the engine compartment. I had it towed to a gm dealership and they informed me that the transmission oil cooler lines had come loose from each other and dumped transmission fuild all over the engine. I paid for the repair and the tow bill. Just recently I was doing some research on my wife's 1997 chevy s-10 blazer that was included in the dexcool class action lawsuit and found a web site on recalls that informed me that there was a recall issued for the exact problem that I had experienced. I called buick to se if they would reimburse me for my repairs. They informed me that there was not any recalls for that problem for my car. I checked your web site for recalls and found was a recall for my car if it was in one of the 27 cold states that were included in the recall (your # 96v015000) I was wondering how could you let gm off the hook for 23 states of vehicles that are not in the cold states. What would keep a car fom a non cold state being transfered to a cold state and that failure happen. Your records show in jan 18 1995 that this problem caused 4 fires that were reported. The sad thing about this there are more vehicles sold in those other 23 states then in those 27 cold states. Missouri is the state I live in and is further north than kentucky or parts of illinois. But where I live does not dictate where I drive.

Filed Jan 15, 2008 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · OR

Tl*the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. The contact searched online and found the federal safety agency campaign id number 96v015000 (power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines) and stated that her vehicle was leaking transmission fluid. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in the recall. The contact took her vehicle to the dealer and they repaired two hydraulic hose parts, four hose clamps, and replaced all the transmission oil and additional brackets. The contact paid $111 for the repair and would like to be reimbursed. The current and failure mileages were 140,000. Updated 03-05-08

Filed Dec 4, 2007 · Body · 200,000 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. While driving 15 MPH, the entire subframe that holds the engine separated from the vehicle. The failure caused a crash. The contact's husband suffered moderate neck pains. The contact had no control of the steering at the time of the crash. There was a police officer on the scene, but no report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer. The manufacturer has not yet been notified. The failure and current mileages were 200,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2007 · Body · 172,076 miles · MN

92 buick lasabre, brakes had to be applied hard to avoid accident, however when the brakes were applied the entire front of the car became completely uncontrollable. At the same time, the brakes faded to nothing. Finally had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Upon inspection, the a frame holding the motor had rusted through, this caused the steering to be disabled, as well as the brake system, aside of the emergency brake as mentioned. By the grace of god, there was no involvement with any other vehicles. This is a very dangerous situation and when I see other buicks of the same model, I wonder how safe they are to be on the highway. In my case the speed was about 30 MPH, if the speed would have been 55 or 60, I can only imagine what could have happened, not only to myself but also to other drivers and passengers on the roadway. This is a very dangerous condition for anyone on the roadway because of all the vehicles of this make and model that are on the roadways sometimes depending on the speed limit traveling at speeds that would make it entirely impossible to avoid a crash and possibly the death of the driver and passengers of their car but also other innocent motorists and passengers on the roadways. Without close inspection,because of the location of the rust problem, one would never notice the problem until it is too late. I am a disabled deputy sheriff and would hate top see another person become disabled because of the defect that I have noted here. I believe that the design and way in which snow and ice gets jammed up in the location that I observed the rust, caused the problem to go on with out being noticed.

Filed Mar 22, 2007 · Brakes · 2,300 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. Occasionally the parking brake did not secure the vehicle when parked. The first failure mileage was 2300. This failure occurred for one year after purchasing the vehicle, and the most recent failure was on 3/22/07. The contact never received safety recall notice 91v167000. The current mileage was 66,500.

Filed Dec 20, 2006 · TX

My cars paint started pealing off and now almost the entire top of my car has no paint but a gray type surface as well as the entire roof is rusted. That's just one thing. The trunk of my car when I open it leaks the water inside as well as when it is shut. My car also will not crank after I have parked it and will require a boost to get it going now I have replaced the battery and the battery cable heads and it still does that on occasion. My car one day started making a horrible knocking grinding noise and I went to have it looked at and they told me it was the harmonic balance pulley. I went to get the part to repair my car and they said the only place to get the rubber seal is thru the dealer. It is to expensive for me to get it fixed professionals, so now I drive only when absolutely necessary and the rubber seal is almost worn down completely and when it falls off and im told it will. I will be out of a car. The roof interior has also fallen down and I have to pin it up out of the way so I can see out my back window. The rear windows do not roll down and the rear window defrost only comes on on occasion, as well as my heater only comes on when it wants to not when we turn it on.

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · IN

Hvac system intermittently turns on defog or defrost mode by default. Also, when fan on high, sounds like it is blowing, but no change in passenger compartment air flow. All vac lines are connected properly in engine compartment. Climate controls operable, but vent/airflow doors do not open/close on command when changing operations from the climate control panel. This has been the case since ownership in 2002. Due to excessive dealership labor charges, I have not had it corrected as they state it is very expenseive to tear out the dash to investigate. When heat is selected, blows in defrost mode. All modes but econ/vent blow in defrost mode by default. This has happened each and every operation of this climate control function. I am reporting appx 2000 incidents.

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Airbags · 108,000 miles · IN · fire

White smoke coming from steering column. It does not smell electrical, nor is the smoking consistent first occurrence tonight. Conditions were, 40 MPH, parking lights on, econ/vent set at 68 and fan on auto with cruise control not engaged. Smoke came from outlets where turn signals, tilt steering adjustment and retractable steering column insets. I pulled over, turned off the car, opened the hood and saw no smoke from engine compartment and smelled no other "hot" instances. The smoke from the column cessated when ignition was turned off. I restarted the car without further incident. After speaking with an engineer friend, he suggests it may be the air bag contacts and advised me to notify you immediately as a safety notification for possible recall/fire hazard. Where there is smoke, there is fire and I am reporting it as such which includes unknown damage due to overheating of some sort to the driver side airbag system.

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Questions about the 1992 Buick Lesabre

Is the 1992 Buick Lesabre reliable?

Owners have filed 189 complaints about the 1992 Buick Lesabre, 1.2 times a typical Lesabre model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1992 Buick Lesabre?

Brakes, with 72 complaints. Next is engine (26).

How many recalls does the 1992 Buick Lesabre have?

2 recalls, covering power train and parking brake.

Was there a recall on the 1992 Buick Lesabre brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 91V167000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Buick Lesabre have bad brakes?

The Buick Lesabre model years with the most brakes complaints are 1992 (72 complaints), 1993 (70 complaints) and 2000 (44 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1992 Buick Lesabre get?

Official estimates for the 1992 Buick Lesabre range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 26 highway.

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