BUICK LESABRE · model year

1994 BUICK LESABRE

220 NHTSA complaints, 38 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994BUICKLESABRE carries 220 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 38 crashes, 6 fires, 30 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 1994 LESABRE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 25 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (20) and air bags:frontal (17). 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 1994 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.

220
Complaints
38
Crashes
6
Fires
30
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

220 filings

Crashes Reported

38 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 SLIP25
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE20
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL17
TIRES:TREAD/BELT10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
TIRES6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3

Recent Complaints

20160721CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND DROVE OVER A MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE ENGINE SUBFRAME MOTOR MOUNTS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR BY THE CONTACT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

20160721CrashENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND DROVE OVER A MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE ENGINE SUBFRAME MOTOR MOUNTS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR BY THE CONTACT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

20160721CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND DROVE OVER A MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE ENGINE SUBFRAME MOTOR MOUNTS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR BY THE CONTACT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

20160209ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

IN COLD WEATHER CAR WON'T START CHECKED THE LIGHTS WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON IT READS, VOLT AND TEMP OBVIOUSLY BATTERY PROBLEMS. I GOT A NEW BATTERY WHEN I GOT THE CAR... I GOT A JUMP FROM RANDOM PERSON NEXT TO MY JOB AND CAR STARTED RIGHT UP IN LIKE 2 MINUTES AND I WENT HOME.

20160209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN COLD WEATHER CAR WON'T START CHECKED THE LIGHTS WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON IT READS, VOLT AND TEMP OBVIOUSLY BATTERY PROBLEMS. I GOT A NEW BATTERY WHEN I GOT THE CAR... I GOT A JUMP FROM RANDOM PERSON NEXT TO MY JOB AND CAR STARTED RIGHT UP IN LIKE 2 MINUTES AND I WENT HOME.

20160209UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN COLD WEATHER CAR WON'T START CHECKED THE LIGHTS WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON IT READS, VOLT AND TEMP OBVIOUSLY BATTERY PROBLEMS. I GOT A NEW BATTERY WHEN I GOT THE CAR... I GOT A JUMP FROM RANDOM PERSON NEXT TO MY JOB AND CAR STARTED RIGHT UP IN LIKE 2 MINUTES AND I WENT HOME.

20140905SEAT BELTS

I WAS CLEANING MY 1994 BUICK LESABRE WHEN I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FLOOR AROUND THE REAR SEATBELT. I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS. WILL THE PERSON SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT GET HURT OR KILLED IF THE SEATBELT DOESN'T HOLD IN THE EVENT OF A ACCIDENT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. I KNOW THIS IS A OLDER VEH,BUT ITS ALL I HAVE.I THOUGHT THAT GM WOULD OF FIXED THIS BY NOW,OR IS MINE THE ONLY ONE THAT IS RUSTED? I REALLY DO NOT THINK THAT IT IS THE ONLY ONE. *TR

Mileage: 147,565

20140905STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS CLEANING MY 1994 BUICK LESABRE WHEN I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FLOOR AROUND THE REAR SEATBELT. I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS. WILL THE PERSON SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT GET HURT OR KILLED IF THE SEATBELT DOESN'T HOLD IN THE EVENT OF A ACCIDENT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. I KNOW THIS IS A OLDER VEH,BUT ITS ALL I HAVE.I THOUGHT THAT GM WOULD OF FIXED THIS BY NOW,OR IS MINE THE ONLY ONE THAT IS RUSTED? I REALLY DO NOT THINK THAT IT IS THE ONLY ONE. *TR

Mileage: 147,565

20140131ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE MERGING ONTO I95 NORTH MY CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC. I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT WAS OFF UNTIL MY LITTLE GIRL ASKED ME TO TURN THE RADIO BACK AND MY SPEED BEGIN TO DECREASE. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER SUCH A HUGE TANK LIKE MY LESABRE WHEN THE POWER STEERING GIVES. IT CRANKS RIGHT UP AFTER SHUTTING OFF AS IF NOTHING IS EVEN WRONG, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED ALWAYS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT BOTHERS ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS ALL I HAVE AND IT'S THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION THAT I HAVE FOR TRAVELING WITH MY LITTLE GIRL. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20140131ENGINE

WHILE MERGING ONTO I95 NORTH MY CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC. I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT WAS OFF UNTIL MY LITTLE GIRL ASKED ME TO TURN THE RADIO BACK AND MY SPEED BEGIN TO DECREASE. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER SUCH A HUGE TANK LIKE MY LESABRE WHEN THE POWER STEERING GIVES. IT CRANKS RIGHT UP AFTER SHUTTING OFF AS IF NOTHING IS EVEN WRONG, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED ALWAYS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT BOTHERS ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS ALL I HAVE AND IT'S THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION THAT I HAVE FOR TRAVELING WITH MY LITTLE GIRL. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20140131STEERING

WHILE MERGING ONTO I95 NORTH MY CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC. I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT WAS OFF UNTIL MY LITTLE GIRL ASKED ME TO TURN THE RADIO BACK AND MY SPEED BEGIN TO DECREASE. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER SUCH A HUGE TANK LIKE MY LESABRE WHEN THE POWER STEERING GIVES. IT CRANKS RIGHT UP AFTER SHUTTING OFF AS IF NOTHING IS EVEN WRONG, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED ALWAYS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT BOTHERS ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS ALL I HAVE AND IT'S THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION THAT I HAVE FOR TRAVELING WITH MY LITTLE GIRL. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20110825ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE SURGES AND STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE TRAVELING. OCCURS ATLEAST TWICE DAILY. *TR

20100904ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BUICK LASABRE DIES ON HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES ALL POWER CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO TRY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHILE UNDER NO POWER. NO BRAKES, POWER STEERING . HAPPENS ABOUT 8 TO 12 TIMES A DAY. I DRIVE 47 MILES TO WORK. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED 8 TIMES, HAD TO MAKE UNSAFE TURNS TO KEEP FROM HAVING A DEAD CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO GET TOTALED. REPLACED COIL PACKS PER DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDATION. STILL DIES. NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP CAN DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. SEEMS ALL MECHANICS WANT TO PICK A PART TO REPLACE AT RANDOM TO SEE IF IT FIXES THE ISSUE. THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY HERE. ALOT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE DRIVE THESE VEHICLES AND THEY CAN'T NEGOTIATE THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WHEN THIS BEGINS TO HAPPEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES THEN SPUTTERS AND DIES. WHEN THIS STARTS, IF YOU KEEP PATTING THE ACCELERATOR IT SOMETIMES HELPS TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR

Mileage: 104,522

20100904ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BUICK LASABRE DIES ON HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES ALL POWER CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO TRY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHILE UNDER NO POWER. NO BRAKES, POWER STEERING . HAPPENS ABOUT 8 TO 12 TIMES A DAY. I DRIVE 47 MILES TO WORK. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED 8 TIMES, HAD TO MAKE UNSAFE TURNS TO KEEP FROM HAVING A DEAD CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO GET TOTALED. REPLACED COIL PACKS PER DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDATION. STILL DIES. NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP CAN DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. SEEMS ALL MECHANICS WANT TO PICK A PART TO REPLACE AT RANDOM TO SEE IF IT FIXES THE ISSUE. THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY HERE. ALOT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE DRIVE THESE VEHICLES AND THEY CAN'T NEGOTIATE THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WHEN THIS BEGINS TO HAPPEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES THEN SPUTTERS AND DIES. WHEN THIS STARTS, IF YOU KEEP PATTING THE ACCELERATOR IT SOMETIMES HELPS TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR

Mileage: 104,522

20100904VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BUICK LASABRE DIES ON HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES ALL POWER CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO TRY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHILE UNDER NO POWER. NO BRAKES, POWER STEERING . HAPPENS ABOUT 8 TO 12 TIMES A DAY. I DRIVE 47 MILES TO WORK. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED 8 TIMES, HAD TO MAKE UNSAFE TURNS TO KEEP FROM HAVING A DEAD CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO GET TOTALED. REPLACED COIL PACKS PER DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDATION. STILL DIES. NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP CAN DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. SEEMS ALL MECHANICS WANT TO PICK A PART TO REPLACE AT RANDOM TO SEE IF IT FIXES THE ISSUE. THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY HERE. ALOT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE DRIVE THESE VEHICLES AND THEY CAN'T NEGOTIATE THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WHEN THIS BEGINS TO HAPPEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES THEN SPUTTERS AND DIES. WHEN THIS STARTS, IF YOU KEEP PATTING THE ACCELERATOR IT SOMETIMES HELPS TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR

Mileage: 104,522

20100904ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BUICK LASABRE DIES ON HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING. LOOSES ALL POWER CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO TRY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHILE UNDER NO POWER. NO BRAKES, POWER STEERING . HAPPENS ABOUT 8 TO 12 TIMES A DAY. I DRIVE 47 MILES TO WORK. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED 8 TIMES, HAD TO MAKE UNSAFE TURNS TO KEEP FROM HAVING A DEAD CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO GET TOTALED. REPLACED COIL PACKS PER DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDATION. STILL DIES. NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP CAN DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. SEEMS ALL MECHANICS WANT TO PICK A PART TO REPLACE AT RANDOM TO SEE IF IT FIXES THE ISSUE. THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY HERE. ALOT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE DRIVE THESE VEHICLES AND THEY CAN'T NEGOTIATE THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

Mileage: 104,522

20090305VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY 1994 BUICK LESABRE HAS A RUNAWAY ACCELERATOR PROBLEM, DURING A SLOW DOWN OR BRAKING CONDITION IN GEAR AT RANDOM TIMES THE ENGINE ACCELERATES THE CAR FORWARD, YOU MUST STAND ON THE BRAKES WITH HIGH FORCE TO BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND THEN KILL THE IGNITION TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED AT CROSS WALKS WITH PEOPLE CROSSING, AND APPROACHING STOP LIGHTS, PULLING INTO GAS STATIONS ECT. REPAIR SHOPS INCLUDING BUICK DEALERS SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS. I HAVE ELIMINATED THE FOOT ACCELERATOR AND THE CRUISE CONTROL AS THE PROBLEM. I WENT ONLINE TO A TROUBLESHOOTING SITE AND TALKED TO A BUICK SPECIFIC TECH WHO HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE AND SAID THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FAILURE WAS THE PROBLEM PART, AND THAT A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN WOULD HELP IN IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER AFTER SEVERAL SCANS AND DRIVE TESTS THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER DUPLICATED OR IDENTIFIED. THE PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. I HAVE

Mileage: 132,000

20081118ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2008 AND CONTINUES TO STALL WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR LESS. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL BECAUSE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKING ABILITY. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE TAKES LONGER THAN A MINUTE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 12/12/08 *CN UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB

Mileage: 125,000

20080412ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I AM A MECHANIC AND WORK ON CARS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE GM CARS OF THE EARLY TO MID 90'S LIKE THE BUICK LE SABRE CLASS ARE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER ENCLOSURE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR THE PLASTIC ENCLOSURES ARE CRACKING AND PIECES OF IT ARE FALLING OFF, AND IF YOU TOUCH THE PLASTIC, IS WILL CRUMBLE APART. I FEE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD, AS THIS WILL ALLOW THE FUMES FROM THE ENGINE LIKE EXHAUST,GAS AND OIL TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THEN THE OCCUPANTS WILL BE BREATHING THE FUMES. I FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20070327ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1994 BUICK LASABRE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DOME LIGHT IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT MELTED THE LIGHT COVER AND RUINED THE TWO SIDES OF THE BULB INSERTS**CC

Compare 1994BUICKLESABRE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 BUICK LESABRE have?
The 1994 BUICK LESABRE has 220 NHTSA complaints, 38 crashes, 6 fires, 30 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 BUICK LESABRE?
The most-complained component for the 1994 BUICK LESABRE is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 25 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1994 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.