Model year record

1996 Buick Lesabre

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 121 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V116000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
275,811
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-01
Owners notified
1996-07-08

Defect description

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 95V204000

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
32,869
Reported to NHTSA
1995-10-23
Owners notified
1995-09-22

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe890,000 mi
Air bags: frontal6130,000 mi
Vehicle speed control622,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine588,985 mi
Power train: automatic transmission5
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5103,920 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings570,000 mi
Electrical system4116,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system4
Structure: frame and members475,000 mi
Electrical system: horn335,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling348,305 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump311,761 mi
Suspension3
Tires: tread/belt3
Electrical system: ignition2
Exterior lighting2108,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Steering: rack and pinion295,000 mi
Suspension: front2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels: rim2
Air bags1114,000 mi
Air bags: side/window142,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module149,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Engine1119,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings157,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system149,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system157,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Steering1102,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure1116,700 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Tires1
Unknown or other1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about a quarter as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.