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1997 Buick Lesabre transmission problems

33 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
33
of this car's complaints
8%
typical mileage
75,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    21
  • Manual transmission
    2
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    2
  • Driveline
    1
  • Automatic transmission: torque converter
    1
  • Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
    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 transmission problems in other years

1990199520002005

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Buick Lesabre transmission

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

Transmission failure 9Hesitation 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1997 Buick Lesabre owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 6, 2018 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · MD

Transmission shudders between 30 to 40 MPH. Also at 50 MPH on the highway. Have been told may need transmission. Car only has 56,000 miles. Transmission fluid has been drained. Did not help. Please advise

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 190,000 miles · MN

Sub frame is completely roated out on the back drive. Complete safty hazard needs recall

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.

Filed Oct 29, 2009 · Transmission · 46,500 miles · PA · crash

I was in my driveway and put the shift in reverse, but it did not stay there. Instead it went back to drive and the accelerator was stuck on my 1997 buick lesabre traveled about 4 feet at high speed and struck a small tree. My insurance company totaled the car. My insurance premium went up for an accident that was not my fault. Can you give me the web site of a similar car and year in an accident in 2003 in california? Thank you, nikolaos (nick) caravasos

Filed Oct 18, 2009 · Brakes, Engine · 75,000 miles · NJ

This will be 4th time intake manifold gasket is being replaced. By far the worst & most expensive used car ever to own. Gm's black eye.

Filed Sep 11, 2009 · Transmission · 186,000 miles · MN

The car accelerated itself in reverse and I was unable to stop it even though I had the brake pedal depressed as far as it would go. I had started the car, depressed the brake pedal (the brake must be engaged in order to put the car in gear) and the car shot back and would not stop. I was rather panicked as I was leaving a convenience store and was trying to avoid hitting the gas pumps, other vehicles and pedestrians. I managed to back the car into the street and attempted to put it in park so it would stop. The gear shift went into the park position, but the car did not stop. It proceeded across a busy street through a controlled intersection at approx.20-30 MPH. At it started across the street, I shut the car off. The brakes would still not stop it. It finally came to a stop after rolling into a curb. I had absolutely no control over the car other than to steer it. I have known this to happen with several other gm cars, but always in a forward gear. I own a 1986 pontiac trans am that has done this on occasion. I have had that car looked at by several mechanics, and none can find anything wrong with it. Gm does not appear to be aware of this problem as I can find no records of recalls for any of their cars for spontaneous acceleration. Part of the problem may be that when it happens to someone, no one believes them. Everyone assumes they had their foot on the gas and the brake at the same time. I have tried to put my foot on both pedals (with the car in park) to see if that could be what happened, but I can't do it as the gas pedal is recessed further back than the brake pedal. At no time are they level with each other. By some miracle, no one was hurt and there was no property damage. I am going to check with various buick dealerships and other mechanics to see if they have ever heard of this problem, but I fear it will be the same as with the trans am where I will get no answers.

Filed Oct 31, 2005 · Transmission · NY

Dt: the contact stated the indicator light on the dashboard for the transmission illuminated. The vehicle has been to the dealer, and they completed a diagnostic test which showed transmission slippage. The dealer replaced two solenoid valves. The indicator light was working properly. The vehicle would not pass emissions testing with this light illuminating.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · NE

Hello, I had a problem with my car hesitating going up a small grade or sometimes just driving down the road and took it back to the dealer. They told me it was a spark plug and fixed it. The problem continued and I took it to another dealer who said I needed a new transmission. Besides a new transmission, they also replaced the intake manifold gasket and put new brakes on the front with rotors. The receipt from the garage says the transmission had an 1870 trouble code. My car was purchased new and had 52,000 miles on it. The total cost was 4200.00. I asked the gm people for help with this expense as I am a single mother working 2 jobs and did not get a reply. I took out another loan to pay for this. Now, with almost 80,000 miles, the transmission is doing the same thing and my friend with a computer says it is the 1870 trouble code (when the check engine light comes on). I can not afford to spend another 4000.00 for another transmission.

Filed Jun 13, 2002 · Transmission · AL

When driving at over 35 MPH transmission will start to jump out of gear or will start surging. Contacted dealer.

Filed Apr 11, 2002 · Fuel system, Transmission · DE · fire

Upon starting the vehicle it backfired and broke the intake manifold into several pieces. I found a recall indicating what had happened due to the powertrain control module. I gave this info to the dealer at gambacorta buick at 427 w. Seventh st. New castle, delaware 19720 tel. No 302 323 3026. They diagnosed it as a fuel pressure regulator leak causing the intake to crack. I have photos showing the intake manifold broken in two end to end about an inch wide. This seems to be more than a crack. When this happened it was an explosion. It was very loud inside the car.*ak referenced in ea02-030

Questions about the 1997 Buick Lesabre transmission

Does the 1997 Buick Lesabre have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the transmission of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 Buick Lesabre transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Buick Lesabre transmission?

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

What year does the Buick Lesabre have bad transmission?

The Buick Lesabre model years with the most transmission complaints are 1993 (33 complaints), 1997 (33 complaints) and 2001 (31 complaints).

Other 1997 Buick Lesabre problems

Engine 120Electrical 42Fuel system 40Brakes 36Airbags 33Visibility 29Steering 25Seat belts 21Suspension 20Body 17Tires 15Acceleration 12Locks 11Lights 8Seats 2Wheels 2

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