1992 Buick Lesabre Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 11%of 189 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1992 Buick Lesabre, 11% of the 189 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. I had it towed to a GM dealership and they informed me that the transmission oil cooler lines had come loose from each other and dumped transmission fuild all over the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10244335, filed 2008-10, 127,543 miles“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 contact's VIN was excluded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10608073, filed 2014-07, 240,000 miles“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 repaired two hydraulic hose parts, four hose clamps, and replaced all the transmission oil and additional brackets. The contact paid $111 for the repair and would like to be reimbursed. The current and failure mileages were 140,000. Updated 03-05-08”
NHTSA complaint #10214962, filed 2008-01, 140,000 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“The consumers vehicle experienced symptoms of a recall related to the transmission oil cooler line. The consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10025120, filed 2003-06Related recalls
- 96V015000Jan 23, 1996Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is…Covers: Buick Lesabre 1992–1993, Oldsmobile Silhouette 1992–1995, Chevrolet Lumina APV 1992–1995 +5 more
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 10% |
| 2004 | 12 | 7% |
| 2003 | 18 | 11% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 9% |
| 2000 | 24 | 4% |
| 1999 | 15 | 7% |
| 1998 | 20 | 5% |
| 1997 | 33 | 8% |
| 1996 | 6 | 6% |
| 1995 | 8 | 4% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1993 | 33 | 17% |
| 1992 | 20 | 11% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1992 Buick Lesabre
72 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 Buick Lesabre
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology