Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 440 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Buick LeSabre, and it carries 2 recalls. 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 104 | 24% |
| Fuel system | 31 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 29 | 7% |
| Air bags | 27 | 6% |
| Visibility | 25 | 6% |
| Power train | 24 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 21 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 21 | 5% |
| Steering | 18 | 4% |
| Tires | 16 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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, th
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPP
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE HORN WILL SOUND WITHOUT PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON(S) WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR UNOCCUPIED. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND IT IS APPARENTLY AN ISSUE FOR MANY OWNERS. PART
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO HOOK AND LOCK, WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WA
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
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 M
NHTSA complaint: Engine
INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED WATER LEAKED INTERNALLY INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBER CAUSING HYDROLOCKING OF ENGINE. UPON RESEARCHING CAUSATIVE ACTIONS I FIND THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND HAS REDESIGNED THE FAULTY
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
SUB FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROATED OUT ON THE BACK DRIVE. COMPLETE SAFTY HAZARD NEEDS RECALL
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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.
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE INCORRECT SAFETY BELT AND/OR SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ENDS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN INCORRECT PART IS USED, THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 440 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 104 of them (24%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (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.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
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 65/100. 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.