1996 Buick Lesabre Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 8%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Buick Lesabre, 8% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While waiting in a parking lot lane for a parking space to open, the driver's airbag deployed. I was not leaning forward, but I was looking slightly to the left. The bag just hit me on the right side forehead and covered me in powder. I could not hear out of my right ear, and still cannot today.”
NHTSA complaint #10298851, filed 2010-01, 130,000 miles“While at a complete stop on a city street behind a city bus which was loading passengers with no collision or contact, the passenger side airbag deployed. The airbag caused burns to the passenger's hand and both knees. It also caused deep contusions on the left knee, causing difficulties with walking.”
NHTSA complaint #11204263, filed 2019-04, 114,000 miles“1996 Buick Lesabre both passenger and driver's side front air bags deployed inadvertently. The driver's air bag deployed at 11 am while driving 30 MPH. On the same day at 2 pm the passenger's air bag deployed while driving 30 MPH. The vehicle was not involved in any type of collision nor did the air bag light illuminate to indicate a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10128047, filed 2005-06“Another vehicle cut in front. Consumer applied brakes but hit other vehicle on right front. Upon impact with other vehicle, air bags deployed. Driver was jammed in seat, and unable to get out. Vehicle filled with smoke an powder substance which caused driver's eyes and throat to be irritated.”
NHTSA complaint #894949, filed 2001-08“When vehicle hit a deer, the deployment of the frontal air bags injured both driver and passenger, driver received red marks, which looked like burns, on both arms, passenger legs were badly bruised, also the smell and the amount of power release from the air bags made it hard to breathe.”
NHTSA complaint #558891, filed 2001-01Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 14 | 9% |
| 2003 | 21 | 13% |
| 2002 | 37 | 12% |
| 2001 | 29 | 9% |
| 2000 | 31 | 5% |
| 1999 | 13 | 6% |
| 1998 | 11 | 3% |
| 1997 | 33 | 8% |
| 1996 | 8 | 8% |
| 1995 | 44 | 25% |
| 1994 | 19 | 12% |
| 1993 | 9 | 5% |
| 1992 | 14 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Buick Lesabre
18 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Buick Lesabre
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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