1992 Buick Lesabre Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems: the ABS warning light coming on and staying lit, the pedal sinking toward the floor, and longer stopping distances, frequently tied to the ABS unit, master cylinder or rear wheel cylinders. Drivetrain and body items also come up, including transmission cooler line leaks and rusted or broken engine cradle mounting points, and many of these complaints are filed on vehicles with very high mileage.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS light on and pedal going to the floor

   • 44 complaints (23%)
   • typically at 5.6 yrs old
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe the anti-lock brake warning light coming on and staying lit, and the brake pedal traveling to the floor with little or no braking response, sometimes after pumping the pedal two or three times. Owners report extended stopping distances and a few describe loss of control or a collision after the pedal went down. According to the complaints, dealers replaced the ABS hydraulic unit or computer, master cylinder, or rear wheel cylinders; several owners say the cause could not be determined or that they were told the repair was their cost. Mileage is not stated in most of these complaints and filing dates span the 1990s, so no typical mileage applies.

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS light comes on during a test drive and whether the ABS unit, master cylinder or wheel cylinders have been replaced; check for a firm pedal that holds pressure when held down.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have written Buick motor division twice regarding this serious defect and have been denied any assistance or satisfaction. I received the typical boiler plate letter reply stating that because my vehicle was out of warranty and because it was seven years old they felt no responsibility to replace the components responsible for the ABS failure. I documented to them a five-year history of ABS failures in Buick le sabres and park avenues, but they did not acknowledge the problem (I didn't expect them to). …”

   NHTSA complaint #704886, filed 1999-03

   “When traveling at 35 MPH and attempting to make a gradual stop the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance, resulting in the consumer having an accident. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer was unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #824346, filed 1998-06
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission cooler line leaks or separates

   • 12 complaints (6%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 15.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2009

   Complaints describe transmission fluid leaking or the cooler line coming apart, in one case sending smoke from under the car and dumping fluid into the engine compartment after a cold-weather drive. Several owners say they had the recall work done and the line still leaked afterward, and others report the repair was charged to them because their VIN was outside the campaign. Repairs mentioned include new hoses, clamps, brackets and replacement fluid. Mostly described from cold-weather driving, with reported mileages from roughly 127,000 to 240,000 miles.

   Recall 96V015000

   What to check: Look for fluid residue or dampness around the transmission cooler lines and radiator area, and ask whether recall 96V015000 was completed and whether the lines have been replaced since.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 fuild all over the engine compartment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10244335, filed 2008-10, 127,543 miles

   “Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall number 96v015002. Dealer corrected recall repair, recall repair has failed, cooler line separated which caused fluid to leak. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has repaired the work again at the consumer expense.”

   NHTSA complaint #873168, filed 2000-10
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Engine cradle or subframe separation

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine cradle or subframe mountings coming loose or breaking, in some cases dropping the engine and transaxle and affecting steering control. Complaints mention cradle bolts pulling through the retainer, broken rear cradle bolts and a rusted-through frame section, with inspections calling for replacement of cradle bolts and attached parts. One owner reported a crash after the subframe separated while driving. Reported at high mileage, from about 177,000 to 200,000 miles.

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the cradle mounting bolts and frame rails for corrosion or looseness, especially on cars from rust-belt areas, and listen for clunks or steering wander.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 steering to be disabled, as well as the brake system, aside of the emergency brake as mentioned. By the grace of god, there was no involvement with any other vehicles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10186304, filed 2007-03, 172,076 miles

   “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 separated from steering column. 3) initial inspection determines vehicle minimally needs replacement of engine cradle bolts, replacement of damaged sway bar links. Repairs pending. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10266619, filed 2009-04, 177,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Parking brake lever releases and vehicle rolls

   • 7 complaints (4%)
   • median 172,076 mi at 14.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2014

   Owners report that when the parking brake is applied, the lever assembly can release one or more teeth, so the rear brakes do not hold and the vehicle rolls on an incline. One owner also described the car jumping out of gear while parked on a hill with the brake set. Complaints say the lever assembly was replaced at owner expense, and that some vehicles were told their VIN was not covered by the parking brake campaign. Reported across a wide mileage range, including one at roughly 66,500 miles and others at very high mileage.

   Recall 91V167000

   What to check: On a slope, set the parking brake firmly and check that the lever holds its position and the car does not creep; ask whether campaign 91V167000 was performed on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle was parked on a hill, with the ignition turned off, gear in park, and emergency brake engaged. Vehicle jumped out of gear and almost rolled down the hill. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, and emergency brake lever assembly was replaced at owner's expense.”

   NHTSA complaint #863955, filed 2000-06

   “Consumer experiencing problem with vehicle emergency brake system. When applied the parking level assembly may release one or more teeth, reducing the cable load to the rear brakes. Depending on the level of the road, the parking brakes may not hold the vehicle, and allowi it to roll. Dealer/manufacturer notified, and was informed that vehicle was not under that recall. Repairs will not be made unless consumer is willing to pay for repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #829262, filed 1998-10
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls and cuts out while driving

   • 6 complaints (3%)
   • typically at 5.5 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2000

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning at any speed, sometimes repeatedly in a single day, with all power and lights going out in one case. Owners report the car was taken to more than one dealer and the cause was not found; one owner said the problem traced to the ignition. Others mention stalls happening in hot weather. Reported across mixed conditions and mileages, with hot-weather driving mentioned in some complaints.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch or control module has been serviced and whether the car has a history of stalling; a service bulletin describes remanufactured control module availability, so ask what was replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While drivng along the engine will stop without warning, doesn't matter if speed is (25) or (70) MPH. This has happened (25) or (30) times since 12/2/96. Happened (10) times on 1/29/97. Taken to (2) different dealers and still cannot find problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #808394, filed 1997-01

   “When traveling at any speed in hot climate weather vehicle stalls and cuts off without any prior warning, causing loss of all power. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #852650, filed 1999-11

Buying note. On a car this age, the braking system and the engine cradle mountings deserve a close inspection before purchase, and it is worth confirming which of the two open campaigns were actually completed on the specific vehicle. Records of brake hydraulic and transmission cooler line repairs are a useful indicator of how well it has been maintained.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.