Check a VIN

1997 Buick Lesabre engine problems

120 complaints (31% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
120
of this car's complaints
31%
typical mileage
95,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine: gasoline
    37
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    22
  • Engine
    19
  • Cooling system
    11
  • Exhaust system
    5
  • Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
    3
  • Exhaust system: emission control
    2
  • Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Buick Lesabre engine problems in other years

1990199520002006

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Buick Lesabre engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 30Overheating 12Won't start 12Check engine light 11Engine failure 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Engine compartment firesOpened June 13, 2002, closed October 22, 2002

PE02050

What 1997 Buick Lesabre owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 28, 2024 · Engine, Locks · 196,400 miles · NC · crash

The contact's friend owns a 1997 Buick LeSabre The contact stated that the hood was difficult to open and close. The latch was in the correct location. The contact stated that while her roommate was driving at 45 MPH, the hood opened and detached. The driver pulled over, and a 2012 Chevrolet crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries. The air bags did not deploy, and there was no fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. The contact called the dealer, who informed them that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 196,400.

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Engine · 103,000 miles · IL

We were driving and heard it missing and it started overheating, so we put more water in and decided to come home. So when we turned around it died 2x then the cylinders locked up and it wouldnt start. When we got home my husband found water in the intake and the oil. So we replaced the intake gasket and put it back together and it did it again, but then it made a loud noise and we found that the bar connection the piston to the crank shaft busted. The car only has 103,k miles on it.. Dont understand how its even possible. The only other person that owned it was an old guy. We only put 300miles on it when this happened.

Filed Oct 14, 2015 · Engine · 130,000 miles · OH

While entering the interstate highway, car started losing power at 50mph. After getting car up to a safe speed, got the car home where it then stopped running and would not re-start. Mechanic checked and found that the head gasket failed at 130,000 miles. This car has always been well maintained. Nearly caused me to be rear-ended as I was on a70mph interstate highway! Also, your website keeps telling me I have an "invalid VIN number!" this is the only one ever issued for this vehicle. What's with this?

Filed Jun 24, 2015 · Engine · 620,000 miles · AZ

My check ingine light wont go off and I was told I have mass air flow and now when I start it it misfires,my air conditioning doesnt work and the speedometer is reading crazy

Filed Dec 16, 2014 · Engine · 130,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Oct 31, 2014 · Engine · 130,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, an abnormal sound emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the upper intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · GA

Has a 1997 buick lesabre and having problems with ignition and I can be driving and it just like it don,t get no juice from engine then when tried to start up it don,t catch in ignition switch. I have spend over 2,000 in this car but every one I take it to says it in the ignition it sounds like it wants to start sometimes it takes up to 6 hours before it starts.

Filed Apr 10, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 143,381 miles · WV

Was driving car and it started steering hard drove home approx 35 miles to find the k frame washers had rusted off and the engine was not being support. Has it fixed and same thing happened again going less than 5 MPH and steering went out and on inspection the front and lower frame mounts had fallen and car has been parked every since because I can not find parts that are reasonably priced! I was on the interstate doing 70 MPH 10 mins prior to the last incident could have been a bad result. Have read about these problems in a forum someone started on google, cant believe there was never a recall!

Filed Mar 13, 2013 · Engine · 142,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH and the vehicle began to shake in a continuous jerking motion. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the retainer washer and the body mount was disengaged on the passenger's side, causing the engine cradle to collapse on the rear driver's side. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 97,000 miles · GA

My car jerks like a fish tugging on your line at different speeds and when coming up an incline. It also has a very strong odor that I smell when running the A/C. I smell it outside the car and occasionally I smell it inside the car.

Questions about the 1997 Buick Lesabre engine

Does the 1997 Buick Lesabre have engine problems?

Owners have filed 120 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 31% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1997 Buick Lesabre engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.

Is there a recall for the 1997 Buick Lesabre engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 1997 Buick Lesabre problems

Electrical 42Fuel system 40Brakes 36Airbags 33Transmission 33Visibility 29Steering 25Seat belts 21Suspension 20Body 17Tires 15Acceleration 12Locks 11Lights 8Seats 2Wheels 2

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1997 Buick Lesabre?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history