BUICK LESABRE · model year

1993 BUICK LESABRE

264 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993BUICKLESABRE carries 264 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 27 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 LESABRE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 44 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines (18) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1993 LESABRE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

264
Complaints
14
Crashes
27
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

264 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP44
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT5
TIRES:TREAD/BELT5
AIR BAGS5
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER4
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT4

Recent Complaints

20140807ENGINE

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

Mileage: 57,000

20110929ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 BECAUSE THE LIGHTS AND RADIO SEEM UNAFFECTED. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL DROP OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING, PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT TO CONTINUE. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN THESE STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER OR HOURS APART I HAVE HAD THE COIL, PLUGS AND WIRES ALL CHANGED. ALL CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD AND BATTERY IS FINE.. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED THAT IS THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TT

Mileage: 244,000

20110929STEERING

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 BECAUSE THE LIGHTS AND RADIO SEEM UNAFFECTED. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL DROP OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING, PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT TO CONTINUE. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN THESE STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER OR HOURS APART I HAVE HAD THE COIL, PLUGS AND WIRES ALL CHANGED. ALL CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD AND BATTERY IS FINE.. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED THAT IS THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TT

Mileage: 244,000

20110929ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 BECAUSE THE LIGHTS AND RADIO SEEM UNAFFECTED. HOWEVER, MY ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALL DROP OUT. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING, PUT IT INTO PARK AND RESTART IT TO CONTINUE. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN THESE STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER OR HOURS APART I HAVE HAD THE COIL, PLUGS AND WIRES ALL CHANGED. ALL CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD AND BATTERY IS FINE.. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED THAT IS THIS HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TT

Mileage: 244,000

20110109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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. THE ABS LITE HAS BEEN ON THE CAR ALMOST EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT.

Mileage: 2,056,754

20100915ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 BEHIND AND IT WILL CAUSE ME AND SOMEONE ELSE INJURY. MY MECHANICS CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE CAR KEEPS STALLING. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20100729SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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 MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS KAPUT. I CAN UNDERSTAND IF THE BRAKES FAIL IF THERE'S A LEAK IN THE LINES OR THE PADS HAVEN'T BEEN REPLACED--THOSE ARE MAINTENANCE ITEMS THAT ARE THE DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY. BUT A MASTER CYLINDER SHOULD AT THE VERY LEAST WARN ME WITH AN IDIOT LIGHT(THEY HAD IDIOTS BACK IN '93 TOO) AND PREFERABLY SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. IT'S IN OTHERWISE GOOD SHAPE WITH ONLY TWO OWNERS AND NO ACCIDENTS. ALL THE HOSES ARE NEW AND THE INTERIOR IS IN GOOD SHAPE, SO I DON'T THINK ROUGH HANDLING CAUSED THE FAILURE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS OLDER, AS BRAKES ARE VITAL TO SAFETY. I HAD A 97 HONDA WITH OVER 250K AND ITS STILL USING THE ORIGINAL BRAKES ALTHOUGH THE PADS AND DRUMS HAVE BEEN REDONE SEVERAL TIMES. THE

Mileage: 80,000

20100303SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN FIRST GEAR BEFORE THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LEAKAGE IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,821. UPDATED 4/7/2010 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF MATERIAL THAT DOES NOT RUST. UPDATED 06/24/10.*JB

Mileage: 109,821

20080721STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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 BY THE BUICK DEALER MAKING THE REPAIR IS THAT THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO RUST. THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN. I AM THE SECOND OWNER IN NORTHWEST OHIO. DUE TO BOTH STATES AND AREAS USING ROAD SALT, THE MOUNT FAILED. THE OHIO DEALER STATES THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE, BUT THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER STATED HE PICKED UP A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, SAME FRAME/CHASSIS, LAST YEAR. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST LEFT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 15 M.P.H. WHEN THE MOUNT DROPPED. THE CAR STEERED ITSELF ACROSS THE ROAD AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE GOING DOWN INTO THE DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THIS COULD EASILY BE FATAL FOR ANY OF THE OCCUPANTS. *TR

Mileage: 113,140

20080721POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

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 BY THE BUICK DEALER MAKING THE REPAIR IS THAT THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO RUST. THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN. I AM THE SECOND OWNER IN NORTHWEST OHIO. DUE TO BOTH STATES AND AREAS USING ROAD SALT, THE MOUNT FAILED. THE OHIO DEALER STATES THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE, BUT THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER STATED HE PICKED UP A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, SAME FRAME/CHASSIS, LAST YEAR. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST LEFT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 15 M.P.H. WHEN THE MOUNT DROPPED. THE CAR STEERED ITSELF ACROSS THE ROAD AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE GOING DOWN INTO THE DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THIS COULD EASILY BE FATAL FOR ANY OF THE OCCUPANTS. *TR

Mileage: 113,140

20071210STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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 TOWED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT 4 OUT OF 6 BOLTS HAD RUSTED AND DROPPED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE 4 WASHERS IN THE BACK OF THE FRAME WHICH HELD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION BROKE THROUGH CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP. UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 168,000

20061219POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

I JUST BOUGHT A USED BUICK LESABER AND IT'S LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CAR IS A 93 AND JUST BOUGHT IT IN NOV. 06. I FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS CAR. AND NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE TO GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED. *NM

Mileage: 138,300

20061012POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHITE SMOKE EMANATED INTERMITTENTLY FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL# 96V015000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 93,000

20050815TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK LESABRE. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ONE WEEK AND A HALF AGO FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES THE STEEL BELTS WERE HANGING OUT. IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. THE BACK TIRES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT USED THE VEHICLE FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AND PURCHASED IT AS IT WAS. MICHELIN TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO CONTACTED THE PERSON THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND HE SAID THAT THEY WHERE NOT THE SAME TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN HE INSPECTED IT. *AK

20050722ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER COOLING LINES OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT INVOLVES THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 96V015000. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE LIGHT THAT LETS ONE KNOW IT IS OVERHEATING DOESN'T COME ON . ALSO, IT IS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. EVERY WEEK HAVE TO PUT A QUART AND HALF OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN OCTOBER OF 2004. *AK THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND COOLING SENSOR. *JB

20050722POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

DT: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER COOLING LINES OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT INVOLVES THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 96V015000. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE LIGHT THAT LETS ONE KNOW IT IS OVERHEATING DOESN'T COME ON . ALSO, IT IS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. EVERY WEEK HAVE TO PUT A QUART AND HALF OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN OCTOBER OF 2004. *AK THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND COOLING SENSOR. *JB

20041104FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED. *AK

20040813POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING, AND NOTICED FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

20040429CrashAIR BAGS

CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND BUMPED IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *AK

20040428POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK THE CONSUMER LATER LEARNED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS RECALL IS RELATED TO HER VEHICLE'S FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY SEVEN MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *NM

Mileage: 109,714

Compare 1993BUICKLESABRE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 BUICK LESABRE have?
The 1993 BUICK LESABRE has 264 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 27 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 BUICK LESABRE?
The most-complained component for the 1993 BUICK LESABRE is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 44 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1993 BUICK LESABRE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.