While at a complete stop on a city street behind a city bus which was loading passengers with no collision or contact, the passenger side airbag deployed. The airbag caused burns to the passenger's hand and both knees. It also caused deep contusions on the left knee, causing difficulties with walking.
The worst 1996 Buick Lesabre problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine19
- Electrical14
- Brakes13
- Airbags8
- Fuel system7
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine19
- Electrical14
- Brakes13
- Airbags8
- Fuel system7
- Acceleration6
- Body6
- Transmission6
- Suspension5
- Lights4
- Steering4
- Tires4
- Visibility3
- Locks2
- Seats2
- Wheels2
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 95V204000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Buick Lesabre
Defect investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA02030
Engine compartment fires
PE02050
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Buick Lesabre 42
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine coolant consumption or coolant leak (inspect for material degradation/replace intake manifolds) tt...
- Intermittent chuggle or fishbite on light acceleration or a highway speeds with no diagnostic trouble...
1996 Buick Lesabre fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 27 | 20 |
What 1996 Buick Lesabre owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. The vehicle was taken for a tune-up where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gaskets, upper intake manifold, and the oil pan gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred three times. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 116,000.
Had to remove dome light bulbs beause it doesnt turn off, the lights on the rear st times and I'v just bought a second battery 3 days ago because the lighting problem caues them to burn out. Sometimes the lights will fade out. Mst time it doesnt and I can't turn them off manually either. Just found out about the recalls on this vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the courtesy lights would illuminate at any time even when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle would also exhibit a chiming noise, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was also contacted and denied any assistance with repairs to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 108,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, he heard a loud clunking noise, the engine dropped, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop, where they diagnosed that the engine cradle and bushing were corroded and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 140,000.
The subframe rusted and droped out of the car, causing the car to lose steering and sending it into oncoming traffic .
1. While driving a buick lesabre on dry, smooth, hard-surface road... In an instant... 2. All steering control was lost. Vehicle was brought to a stop with brakes. No death, no injury, no additional damage 3. The engine cradle bolts were found broken... This allowed the steering mechanism to become disconnected.... The bolts were replaced, the mechanism was connected, and the vehicle was returned to service 4. I contacted the people at buick 25 may.... After four days of delays, they informed me of their disinterest in this critical failure, regardless of it's certainty to result in fatalities.... Please disseminate an immediate alert/recall/notice/other fyi..... Your form is entitled 'complaint'..... Understand this is an objective, factual report, not a complaint.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick lesabre. Upon starting the vehicle, the contact could hear the vehicle back fire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where repairs were made to stop an evaporator leak. The repair did not stop the vehicle from back firing. The manufacturer stated that because the vehicle was older than 10 years of age, they could not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 98,000.
While waiting in a parking lot lane for a parking space to open, the driver's airbag deployed. I was not leaning forward, but I was looking slightly to the left. The bag just hit me on the right side forehead and covered me in powder. I could not hear out of my right ear, and still cannot today.
Compare the 1996 Buick Lesabre
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Questions about the 1996 Buick Lesabre
Is the 1996 Buick Lesabre reliable?
Owners have filed 98 complaints about the 1996 Buick Lesabre, fewer than a typical Lesabre model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Buick Lesabre?
Engine and cooling, with 19 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles. Next is electrical (14).
How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Lesabre have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and electrical system.
What year does the Buick Lesabre have bad engine?
The Buick Lesabre model years with the most engine complaints are 1998 (204 complaints), 1997 (120 complaints) and 2000 (96 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Buick Lesabre get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Buick Lesabre range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 27 highway.
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