1993 Buick Lesabre recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, 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 1993 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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1993 Buick Lesabre owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (76), Hydraulic (75), Transmission / drivetrain (36), Electrical system (30), Engine (29).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/07/2014 · Engine
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
09/29/2011 · Steering
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 ROLLI…
01/09/2011 · Brakes
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.
09/15/2010 · Engine
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
07/29/2010 · Brakes
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--T…
03/03/2010 · Brakes
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 ILLUMIN…
07/21/2008 · Transmission / drivetrain
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…
12/10/2007 · Body / structure
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…