1993 Buick LeSabre

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

67/100

Be careful

AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Buick LeSabre, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Service brakes	72	30%
Power train	31	13%
Electrical system	26	11%
Engine and engine cooling	23	9%
Air bags	11	5%
Vehicle speed control	11	5%
Structure	10	4%
Tires	9	4%
Seats	7	3%
Visibility	6	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY, AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUITS, AND WITH IT, SO DOES THE POWER STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS, BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTART IN NEUTRAL, LUCKILY. WHY?? *TR
NHTSA complaint: Engine

AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, IT DOESN'T MATTER AT WHAT SPEED, MY ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO LURCHING NOR SPUTTERING, IT JUST DROPS DEAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I KNOW THERE IS POWER TO MY CAR BECAUS
NHTSA complaint: Steering

I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 1/2 YRS NOW AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD THIS TYPE OF BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR SLED, I WAS TRYING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO MAKE A TURN.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

MY 1993 BUICK LASABRE KEEPS STALLING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CAN BE ANYWHERE ON THE INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE OF THESE TIMES SOMEONE IS GOING TO HIT ME FROM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED '93 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT FOR TWO DAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THEN THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, THE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR. I SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED THE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUCK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE. A C
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

1993 BUICK LESABRE - THE MOTOR-TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILED AT THE POINT OF ACCELERATING FROM AND INTERSECTION. THE REAR OF THE MOUNT DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING. DIAGNOSIS
NHTSA complaint: Power train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Structure

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1993 Buick LeSabre. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines 96V015000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.

Risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	76	good
Longevity est.	76	good
Maintenance	75	good
Depreciation	54	average
Performance	59	average
Efficiency	38	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 34% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 43% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 51% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 30% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 76: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 76: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1993 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 75: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1993 Buick LeSabre?

Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 72 of them (30%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1993 Buick LeSabre reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1993 Buick LeSabre last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1993 Buick LeSabre?

AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.