1992 Buick Lesabre recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 LESABRE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V015000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
Summary: 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.
Consequence: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
Notes: SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION; AUTOMATIC; COOLING UNIT AND LINES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS WITH 3.8L ENGINE AND 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH L27 OR L67 ENGINE AND 4T60E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND SOLD OR REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737; OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 LESABRE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V167000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- 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: PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
Summary: WHEN APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; FMVSS 105.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1992 Buick Lesabre owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (80), Hydraulic (68), Engine (27), Transmission / drivetrain (23), Electrical system (23).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/03/2014 · Brakes
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 CONTA…
04/24/2009 · Steering
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 SEPARA…
10/03/2008 · Transmission / drivetrain
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 FU…
01/15/2008 · Transmission / drivetrain
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 REPAIR…
12/04/2007 · Body / structure · crash
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…
03/27/2007 · Body / structure
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…
03/22/2007 · Brakes
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.…
12/20/2006 · 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 PARKED IT AND WILL REQUIRE A BOOST TO GET IT GOING NOW I HAV…