Buick LeSabre Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Buick LeSabre model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2006 drew the fewest (3) and the 2000 the most (669).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1988 Among the fewest complaints |
21 | 3 | Steering | — | 20 |
| 1989 Among the fewest complaints |
27 | 2 | Fuel system | — | 20 |
| 1991 | 30 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 20 |
| 1987 | 40 | 4 | Steering | — | 19 |
| 1990 | 46 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 19 |
| 2005 | 77 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 21 |
| 1996 | 98 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 20 |
| 1994 | 158 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 20 |
| 2004 | 162 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 21 |
| 2003 | 164 | 1 | Structure | — | 21 |
| 1995 | 178 | 1 | Air bags | — | 20 |
| 1992 | 189 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 19 |
| 1993 | 194 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 20 |
| 1999 | 209 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 21 |
| 2002 | 310 | 2 | Visibility | — | 21 |
| 2001 | 328 | 0 | Visibility | — | 20 |
| 1997 Among the most complaints |
394 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 20 |
| 1998 Among the most complaints |
400 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 21 |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
669 | 5 | Visibility | — | 20 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Buick LeSabre years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2000 Buick LeSabre: 669 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 244 (36%); Electrical system 87 (13%); Engine and engine cooling 78 (12%).
Reports mention 26 crashes, 30 fires, 24 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
1998 Buick LeSabre: 400 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 196 (49%); Fuel system 75 (19%); Electrical system 50 (13%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 43 fires, 9 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 69,100 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
1997 Buick LeSabre: 394 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 110 (28%); Electrical system 42 (11%); Fuel system 38 (10%).
Reports mention 26 crashes, 31 fires, 24 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 98,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Buick LeSabre years with the fewest complaints
2006 Buick LeSabre: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (33%); Engine 1 (33%); Structure 1 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
1988 Buick LeSabre: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 12 (57%); Seat belts 3 (14%); Electrical system 2 (10%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
1989 Buick LeSabre: 27 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 4 (15%); Seat belts 4 (15%); Vehicle speed control 4 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Buick LeSabre owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 77 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 52,000 |
| 2004 | 162 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 63,900 |
| 2003 | 164 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2002 | 310 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2001 | 328 | 10 | 22 | 14 | 0 | 61,000 |
| 2000 | 669 | 26 | 30 | 24 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 1999 | 209 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 2 | 76,000 |
| 1998 | 400 | 15 | 43 | 9 | 0 | 69,100 |
| 1997 | 394 | 26 | 31 | 24 | 1 | 98,000 |
| 1996 | 98 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 95,000 |
| 1995 | 178 | 13 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 100,000 |
| 1994 | 158 | 26 | 6 | 21 | 0 | 104,522 |
| 1993 | 194 | 12 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 109,714 |
| 1992 | 189 | 17 | 24 | 15 | 0 | 130,000 |
| 1991 | 30 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 46 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 27 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 40 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Buick LeSabre recalls
- EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL (1984–1988 model years; 1,755,897 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1989; 89V102000)
- GM/FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR (1998–2000 model years; 910,873 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2004; 04V090000)
- GM/TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:COOLING UNIT (1992–1993 model years; 585,182 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 1996; 96V015000)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSE (1987 model year; 479,715 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 1987; 87V135000)
- GM/FUEL:CARBURETOR:SINGLE:MANIFOLD:INTAKE (1996–1997 model years; 275,811 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 1996; 96V116000)
All 27 Buick LeSabre recall campaigns · Buick LeSabre problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Buick LeSabre years FAQ
Which Buick LeSabre year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2006 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (3). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Buick LeSabre years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2000, 1998 and 1997 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine and engine cooling. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Buick LeSabre problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine and engine cooling (655 of 3,697 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Buick LeSabre have?
NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns covering the Buick LeSabre. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Buick LeSabre recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.