The most-reported LeSabre run is 1G4HP52K5VH (1997 builds) with 32 complaints, 7.8× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 20% of reports; 1998 is the worst model year at 7.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns for LeSabre model years 1981–2003.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick LeSabre has 713 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every LeSabre complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G4HP52K5VH•••••• | 1997 | 1 | 9 | |
| 1G4HP54K9Y4•••••• | 2000 | — | 2 | |
| 1G4HP52K8WH•••••• | 1998 | 1 | 6 | |
| 1G4HP52K3VH•••••• | 1997 | — | 2 | |
| 1G4HP52K6VH•••••• | 1997 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1G4HP52K9WH•••••• | 1998 | 4 | 3 | |
| 1G4HP52K7WH•••••• | 1998 | 1 | 7 | |
| 1G4HP52K1VH•••••• | 1997 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1G4HP52K9VH•••••• | 1997 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1G4HP54K7Y4•••••• | 2000 | — | 1 | |
| 1G4HP52K1WH•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 | |
| 1G4HP54K4Y4•••••• | 2000 | — | 4 |
Each of the other 701 LeSabre runs has 21 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 21 LeSabre VINs so far, most often 2003, 2004, 2005 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick LeSabre the gap between build years is 7.8×: a 1998 car draws 7.8 complaints per run, a 1986 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 63 | 31 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 134 | 53 | 3 | |
| 2003 | 140 | 52 | 7 | |
| 2002 | 242 | 39 | 14 | |
| 2001 | 253 | 45 | 9 | |
| 2000 | 520 | 76 | 21 | |
| 1999 | 157 | 43 | 9 | |
| 1998 | 320 | 41 | 10 | |
| 1997 | 330 | 47 | 20 | |
| 1996 | 84 | 34 | 6 | |
| 1995 | 144 | 49 | 9 | |
| 1994 | 120 | 36 | 16 | |
| 1993 | 157 | 50 | 9 | |
| 1992 | 150 | 43 | 15 | |
| 1991 | 23 | 19 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 32 | 27 | 7 | |
| 1989 | 16 | 15 | — | |
| 1988 | 16 | 16 | — | |
| 1987 | 32 | 21 | 3 | |
| 1986 | 11 | 11 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 1998 at 7.8 complaints per run; lightest is 1986 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 20% of everything Buick LeSabre owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 528 of 2,951 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 79 | |
| Visibility | 4 | 5 | |
| Electrical System | 6 | 36 | |
| Service Brakes | 36 | 2 | |
| Hydraulic | 32 | 2 | |
| Structure | 7 | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 84 | 5 | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 33 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 28 recall campaigns on the Buick LeSabre; the 6 below cover build years 1984 to 2003. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1986–1991 |
| 89V102000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1984–1988 |
| 04V090000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery | 1998–2000 |
| 02V222000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2002–2003 |
| 96V116000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System | 1996–1997 |
| 96V015000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines | 1992–1993 |
The LeSabre against its rivals
The LeSabre draws 4.1 complaints per production run; the Cadillac Deville 3 and the Chrysler Concorde 3.8. That is the highest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick LeSabre | 2,951 | 713 | 5.6% | |
| Cadillac Deville | 2,216 | 730 | 8.3% | |
| Chrysler Concorde | 1,721 | 450 | 6.3% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,951 reports on the Buick LeSabre, 5.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Buick LeSabre | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,951 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 165 (5.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 195 (6.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 186 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Buick LeSabre share of that is 2,951 complaints over 713 runs, 0.26% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick LeSabre VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,951 NHTSA complaints from 713 LeSabre runs and 28 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which LeSabre production run has the most complaints?
1G4HP52K5VH, a 1997 build, with 32 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical LeSabre run has 4.1.
Which LeSabre years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1998 is heaviest at 7.8 complaints per run and 1986 lightest at 1.
Does the LeSabre get more complaints than the Cadillac Deville?
Yes: 4.1 complaints per production run for the LeSabre against 3 for the Cadillac Deville.
How many LeSabre complaints involve a crash?
5.6% of 2,951 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 195 involved a fire.
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