1992 Buick Lesabre
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Buick › Lesabre › 1992
These records cover every 1992 Buick Lesabre. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1992 Buick Lesabre. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.
When applied, the parking brake lever assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Depending on the extent of the lever release and roadlevel. The parking brake may not hold the vehicle, allowing it to roll, whichcould result in an accident. Vehicle does not comply with fmvss 105.
Remedy
Replace parking brake lever assembly.
Owner complaints
189 complaints17 involved a crash24 involved a fire15 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling · Parking brake · Power train
TL* the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. the contact noticed coolant leaking from under the vehicle. while the parking brake was engaged, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling down an incline. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign numbers: 96v015000…
TL* the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. the contact noticed coolant leaking from under the vehicle. while the parking brake was engaged, the contact had to depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling down an incline. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign numbers: 96v015000 (power train) and 91v167000 (parking brake) however, the contact's vin was excluded. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 240,000.
- Steering · Structure › Frame and members · Suspension › Front
1) driving on smooth pavement at 35mph, sudden and harsh thud was felt vehicle veered out of it's traffic lane, steering the vehicle was nearly impossible. operated brake to stop vehicle. 2) inspection reveals both rear engine cradle mounting bolts failed, dropping engine/transaxle onto…
1) driving on smooth pavement at 35mph, sudden and harsh thud was felt vehicle veered out of it's traffic lane, steering the vehicle was nearly impossible. operated brake to stop vehicle. 2) inspection reveals both rear engine cradle mounting bolts failed, dropping engine/transaxle onto steering column, steering gear being pulled away and nearly separated from steering column. 3) initial inspection determines vehicle minimally needs replacement of engine cradle bolts, replacement of damaged sway bar links. repairs pending. this failure IS similar to recall of buickregal 1988-1991, ford taurus/merc sable 1987-1995 and others... *Tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I own a 1992 buick lesbare limited that I was driving to work on the morning jan 14 2003. The temperature was below freezeing. I was about 3 miles from home when I happened to look in the rear view mirror and noticed a lot of smoke rolling out from under my car. I immediately pull over and turned…
I own a 1992 buick lesbare limited that I was driving to work on the morning jan 14 2003. The temperature was below freezeing. I was about 3 miles from home when I happened to look in the rear view mirror and noticed a lot of smoke rolling out from under my car. I immediately pull over and turned the engine off. I opened the hood and found transmission fuild all over the engine compartment. I had it towed to a gm dealership and they informed me that the transmission oil cooler lines had come loose from each other and dumped transmission fuild all over the engine. I paid for the repair and the tow bill. Just recently I was doing some research on my wife's 1997 chevy S-10 blazer that was included in the dexcool class action lawsuit and found a web site on recalls that informed me that there was a recall issued for the exact problem that I had experienced. I called buick to SE if they would reimburse me for my repairs. They informed me that there was not any recalls for that problem for my car. I checked your web site for recalls and found was a recall for my car if it was in one of the 27 cold states that were included in the recall (your # 96v015000) I was wondering how could you let gm off the hook for 23 states of vehicles that are not in the cold states. What would keep a car fom a non cold state being transfered to a cold state and that failure happen. Your records show in jan 18 1995 that this problem caused 4 fires that were reported. The sad thing about this there are more vehicles sold in those other 23 states then in those 27 cold states. Missouri IS the state I live in and IS further north than kentucky or parts of illinois. But where I live does not dictate where I drive. *Tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Tl*the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. the contact searched online and found nhtsa campaign ID number 96v015000 (power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines) and stated that her vehicle was leaking transmission fluid. the dealer stated that her vin was not included in the recall.…
Tl*the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. the contact searched online and found nhtsa campaign ID number 96v015000 (power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines) and stated that her vehicle was leaking transmission fluid. the dealer stated that her vin was not included in the recall. the contact took her vehicle to the dealer and they repaired two hydraulic hose parts, four hose clamps, and replaced all the transmission oil and additional brackets. the contact paid $111 for the repair and would like to be reimbursed. the current and failure mileages were 140,000. updated 03-05-08 *bf
- Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Tl*the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. while driving 15 mph, the entire subframe that holds the engine separated from the vehicle. the failure caused a crash. the contact's husband suffered moderate neck pains. the contact had no control of the steering at the time of the crash. there was a…
Tl*the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. while driving 15 mph, the entire subframe that holds the engine separated from the vehicle. the failure caused a crash. the contact's husband suffered moderate neck pains. the contact had no control of the steering at the time of the crash. there was a police officer on the scene, but no report was filed. the vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer. the manufacturer has not yet been notified. the failure and current mileages were 200,000.
- Structure › Frame and members
92 buick lasabre, brakes had to be applied hard to avoid accident, however when the brakes were applied the entire front of the car became completely uncontrollable. At the same time, the brakes faded to nothing. finally had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. upon inspection, the a…
92 buick lasabre, brakes had to be applied hard to avoid accident, however when the brakes were applied the entire front of the car became completely uncontrollable. At the same time, the brakes faded to nothing. finally had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. upon inspection, the a frame holding the motor had rusted through, this caused the steering to be disabled, as well as the brake system, aside of the emergency brake as mentioned. by the grace of god, there was no involvement with any other vehicles. This IS a very dangerous situation and when I see other buicks of the same model, I wonder how safe they are to be on the highway. In my case the speed was about 30 mph, if the speed would have been 55 or 60, I can only imagine what could have happened, not only to myself but also to other drivers and passengers on the roadway. This IS a very dangerous condition for anyone on the roadway because of all the vehicles of this make and model that are on the roadways sometimes depending on the speed limit traveling at speeds that would make it entirely impossible to avoid a crash and possibly the death of the driver and passengers of their car but also other innocent motorists and passengers on the roadways. without close inspection,because of the location of the rust problem, one would never notice the problem until it IS too late. I am a disabled deputy sheriff and would hate top see another person become disabled because of the defect that I have noted here. I believe that the design and way in which snow and ice gets jammed up in the location that I observed the rust, caused the problem to go on with out being noticed. *Jb
- Parking brake
Tl*the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. occasionally the parking brake did not secure the vehicle when parked. the first failure mileage was 2300. this failure occurred for one year after purchasing the vehicle, and the most recent failure was on 3/22/07. the contact never received safety recall notice 91v167000. the current mileage was 66,500. *ak
- Unknown or other
My cars paint started pealing off and now almost the entire top of my car has no paint but a gray type surface as well as the entire roof IS rusted. That's just one thing. The trunk of my car when I open it leaks the water inside as well as when it IS shut. my car also will not crank after I have…
My cars paint started pealing off and now almost the entire top of my car has no paint but a gray type surface as well as the entire roof IS rusted. That's just one thing. The trunk of my car when I open it leaks the water inside as well as when it IS shut. my car also will not crank after I have parked it and will require a boost to get it going now I have replaced the battery and the battery cable heads and it still does that on occasion. My car one day started making a horrible knocking grinding noise and I went to have it looked at and they told me it was the harmonic balance pulley. I went to get the part to repair my car and they said the only place to get the rubber seal IS thru the dealer. It IS to expensive for me to get it fixed professionals, so now I drive only when absolutely necessary and the rubber seal IS almost worn down completely and when it falls off and im told it will. I will be out of a car. The roof interior has also fallen down and I have to pin it up out of the way so I can see out my back window. The rear windows do not roll down and the rear window defrost only comes on on occasion, as well as my heater only comes on when it wants to not when we turn it on. *jb
- Electrical system › Wiring
Hvac system intermittently turns on defog or defrost mode by default. also, when fan on high, sounds like it IS blowing, but no change in passenger compartment air flow. all vac lines are connected properly in engine compartment. climate controls operable, but vent/airflow doors do not…
Hvac system intermittently turns on defog or defrost mode by default. also, when fan on high, sounds like it IS blowing, but no change in passenger compartment air flow. all vac lines are connected properly in engine compartment. climate controls operable, but vent/airflow doors do not open/close on command when changing operations from the climate control panel. this has been the case since ownership in 2002. due to excessive dealership labor charges, I have not had it corrected as they state it IS very expenseive to tear out the dash to investigate. when heat IS selected, blows in defrost mode. all modes but econ/vent blow in defrost mode by default. this has happened each and every operation of this climate control function. I am reporting appx 2000 incidents. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module · Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
White smoke coming from steering column. it does not smell electrical, nor IS the smoking consistent first occurrence tonight. conditions were, 40 mph, parking lights on, econ/vent set at 68 and fan on auto with cruise control not engaged. smoke came from outlets where turn signals, tilt…
White smoke coming from steering column. it does not smell electrical, nor IS the smoking consistent first occurrence tonight. conditions were, 40 mph, parking lights on, econ/vent set at 68 and fan on auto with cruise control not engaged. smoke came from outlets where turn signals, tilt steering adjustment and retractable steering column insets. I pulled over, turned off the car, opened the hood and saw no smoke from engine compartment and smelled no other "hot" instances. the smoke from the column cessated when ignition was turned off. I restarted the car without further incident. after speaking with an engineer friend, he suggests it may be the air bag contacts and advised me to notify you immediately as a safety notification for possible recall/fire hazard. where there IS smoke, there IS fire and I am reporting it as such which includes unknown damage due to overheating of some sort to the driver side airbag system. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal
Dt: the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. The contact states that the air bag partially deployed in a head on collision. At 40 mph. it pushed consumer's car back two feet and engine back 4 inches. Someone from buick came out and inspected vehicle, and then indicated they would not do…
Dt: the contact owns a 1992 buick lesabre. The contact states that the air bag partially deployed in a head on collision. At 40 mph. it pushed consumer's car back two feet and engine back 4 inches. Someone from buick came out and inspected vehicle, and then indicated they would not do anything about the vehicle because it was still drivable. contact stated that the air bag light illuminated. while driving sometimes consumer heard a humming noise like the air bag was going to deploy. contact pulled over and waited for the humming noises to stop. Contact filed a complaint before as indicated in odi 10105027. also, consumer's aunt was in an accident with same this happened about two years ago. both fenders, hood, grill, and bumper were completely damaged. upon impact, the driver's air bag partially deployed, while passenger's air bag did not deploy. contact's aunt was the only occupant in the vehicle. she had seat belt on. The air bag warning light was not on prior to the crash. Driver sustained a broken collar bone. This vehicle was used for transportation only, she still had to drive this vehicle. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
The fuel pump IS near the gas tank or inside the gas tank. it IS like placing a lighter near the gas tank. the design IS poor. Fuel pump IS defective, and consumer IS waiting for a manufacturer's response.*ak
- Unknown or other
The paint IS peeling off the entire auto, top, sides, trunk. The color coat IS peeling off leaving the primer showing.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Hood latch rod rusted. consumer was concerned that the hood could fly up while driving. *Ak
- Structure › Body
The paint job on 1992 buicks does not last and badly chips off the base coat on the roof and the trunk. I have a 1992 lesabre and the dark blue has chipped off the roof the size of a basketball. I saw two olive green lesabres on the road today with chipping on the trunk, hood and roof. The white…
The paint job on 1992 buicks does not last and badly chips off the base coat on the roof and the trunk. I have a 1992 lesabre and the dark blue has chipped off the roof the size of a basketball. I saw two olive green lesabres on the road today with chipping on the trunk, hood and roof. The white primer coat has good adhesive, but the base coat was not properly applied or there IS a problem with compatibility between the primer and the base coat. *la
- Tires › Markings
I am not complaining about a tire but about all replacement tires. I think many people would like to have a fuel efficiency rating for tires. when I bought new tires for my car, I lost 10 percent in gas mileage - I went from 22 down to 20. I might have bought different tires if I knew this beforehand.*ak
- Structure › Body
My 1992 lasabre has paint peeling on the top and trunk. and now I'm seeing other 92 lasabres peeling also. IS there a recall??
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The consumers vehicle experienced symptoms of a recall related to the transmission oil cooler line. the consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving at any speed anti lock brake light will come on and stay on. dealer notified.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy. *jb *jb
- Seat belts
The seat belts squeezed so tight, it caused consumer to have a back injury.*jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer stated the engine caught on fire.*jb *tt
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
This IS the 3RD gas tank that needs replacement. 1ST. Time 15-july 94,.2nd 20-july98, 3RD now 9-july 2002. The tanks developed a seeping leak at a1-inch crease in the metal of the tank, leaking gas on the engine pipe . Your reference 825666 dated 21 july 1998.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Consumer states that vehicle IS unable to go into reverse.*jg
- Structure
Vehicle would wander to the left while driving. vehicle taken to a repair shop and informed that cradle bolts have pulled through retainer, and needed to be replaced. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel line failure
There is no summary currently available
- Brake caliper corrosion
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel line connector fails
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 4010500Unknown
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 603085Some customers may comment that there IS corrosion ( rust ) appearing on the left and /or right rocker panel(s).
- 602751Some customers may comment that the vehicle
- 601769Information on growling noise in transaxle during first four minutes after start up.
- 54065Comments on inoperative power door locks (front and/or rear doors).
- 52564Excessive vibration of electrochromic inside rearview mirror.
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 39814Dim headlamps, slow windshield wipers, etc resulting from low/no generator output.
- 39549Little to no air flow from side window defroster ducts.
- 39308Cold start rattle noise.
- 37848Faint buzzing noise from front of dash area.
- 37847Hvac system may intermittently turn on in defog or defrost mode by default.
Every Buick Lesabre model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.