RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

1971 Buick Lesabre recalls & complaints

3 recalls on file (1 high risk). Normal for this age of vehicle — just make sure they're done.
3recalls
1high risk
0stop-driving
1complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

3 safety recalls, most serious first

High risk Campaign 73V013000 · announced 24/01/1973 (51 years ago)

1. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT DRIVING ON UNPAVED ROAD SURFACES, PARTICULARLY ROADS WHICH ARE HEAVILY GRAVELED AND WHICH ARE EXTREMELY WAVY OR FILLED WITH CHUCKHOLES, AT SPEEDS WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO PITCH EXCESSIVELY, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY SCOOP UP LOOSE STONES OR GRAVEL AND COULD BE THROWN INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ONE OF THESE STONES TO LODGE BETWEEN THE STEERING COUPLING AND THE FRAME AND…

What could happen: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERINGCONTROL MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

The fix: INSPECT AND INSTALL SHIELD ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1971 LESABRE.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 73V013000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Summary: THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT DRIVING ON UNPAVED ROAD SURFACES, PARTICULARLY ROADS WHICH ARE HEAVILY GRAVELED AND WHICH ARE EXTREMELY WAVY OR FILLED WITH CHUCKHOLES, AT SPEEDS WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO PITCH EXCESSIVELY, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY SCOOP UP LOOSE STONES OR GRAVEL AND COULD BE THROWN INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ONE OF THESE STONES TO LODGE BETWEEN THE STEERING COUPLING AND THE FRAME AND CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT.
Consequence: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERINGCONTROL MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT AND INSTALL SHIELD ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Notes: SYSTEM: STEERING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

Moderate Campaign 72V013000 · announced 15/01/1972 (53 years ago)

2. Wheels / tires

What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving.

What could happen:

The fix:

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1971 LESABRE.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 72V013000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: WHEELS
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: OLDSMOBILE CAMPAIGN NO 71-C-3. BUICK NO 71-C-4. PONTIAC NO 71-C-5 AND NO71-C-5A. WITH WHEELS INDENTIFIED AS 15"X6", K11 BX. POSSIBILITY OF WELDSBREAKING WHERE WHEEL SPIDER (DISC) ATTACHES TO RIM. FATIGUE CRACKING MAY OCCURAROUND SPOT WELDS OF DISC-TO-RIM ATTACHMENT AND COULD POSSIBLY RESULT INEVENTUAL SEPARATION OF DISC FROM RIM. (CORRECT BY INSPECTING AND REPLACINGWHERE NECESSARY WITH IMPROVED WHEEL. )

Moderate Campaign 71V127000 · announced 02/08/1971 (55 years ago)

3. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly.

What could happen:

The fix:

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1971 LESABRE.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 71V127000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: BUICK CAMPAIGN NO 71-C-3. POSSIBILITY THAT HEATER CONTROL SUP PORT BRACKET MAYHAVE BURR ON ITS EDGE WHICH COULD CONTACT HEA DLIGHT SWITCH WIRING. IFCONDITION EXISTS, BURR COULD CUT THR OUGH SWITCH WIRING, CAUSING ELECTRICALSHORT AND RESULTING IN FIRE IN INSTRUMENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AREA. FIRE CANOCCUR WH EN VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION OR WHEN UNATTENDED WITH IGNITION SW ITCH INOFF POSITION. (CORRECT BY INSTALLING INSULATION BETWE EN HEADLIGHT SWITCHWIRING AND HEATER CONTROL SUPPORT BRACKET. )

Useful for owners

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

1complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (1)

08/09/2000 · Wheels / tires
THE FIRST TIRE FAILED AT ABOUT 70 MPH. THE ENTIRE RUBBER TREAD PEALED AWAY FROM THE TIRE CASING. ALTHOUGH THE CAR SWERVED BADLY I MANAGED TO STOP WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE PEELING RUBBER CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE DEALER (STRAUS DISCOUNT AUTO) REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND SAID "IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT". ABOUT 2 MONTHS LAT…

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1971 Buick