1996 Buick Lesabre Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 14%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Buick Lesabre, 14% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“There are two recalls on your site related to my vehicle. Two dealers tell me there are no recalls on my car. Even though there is one campaign sticker located under the hood. I have a Buick lasabre 1996 it back fires when starting. Can you check and see if the two you list are asssoceated with my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10160413, filed 2006-06, 49,000 miles“Had to remove dome light bulbs beause it doesnt turn off, the lights on the rear st times and I'v just bought a second battery 3 days ago because the lighting problem caues them to burn out. Sometimes the lights will fade out. Mst time it doesnt and I can't turn them off manually either. Just found out about the recalls on this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10644183, filed 2014-10“The contact owns a 1996 Buick Lesabre. While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred three times. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 116,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10731069, filed 2015-06, 116,000 miles“On 2 separate incidences, the battery leaked onto the cable & left me stranded. I was told that this never happens & it happened to me twice 2 years apart. The first time my car was towed to a different dealer & they tried to charge me even tho the car was under warranty. It happened again this mid-summer and I had to pay for this repair and the battery company said that the dealer was at fault for the way it was installed. (too tight) I was given a royal run-around.”
NHTSA complaint #730873, filed 2000-09“The contact owns a 1996 Buick Lesabre. The horn would not stop blowing for 50 miles after the key was inserted into the door lock. The dealer stated that the failure was electrical and the remote key needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the horn was blowing when the contact arrived and they were unable to reprogram the remote key; however, the horn stopped blowing. The contact requested the old remote key since it was unable to be reprogrammed. Approximately one week later, the horn began blowing again intermittently. …”
NHTSA complaint #10223871, filed 2008-03, 35,000 milesRelated recalls
- 95V204000Oct 23, 1995These vehicles were assembled with a malfunction alarm, lighting and locking (mall) module that can contain a damaged capacitor. If the capacitor is damaged…Covers: Buick Lesabre 1996, Oldsmobile 98 1996, Buick Riviera 1996 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10170494Dec 2, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 25 | 32% |
| 2004 | 66 | 41% |
| 2003 | 15 | 9% |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% |
| 2001 | 38 | 12% |
| 2000 | 87 | 13% |
| 1999 | 28 | 13% |
| 1998 | 50 | 13% |
| 1997 | 42 | 11% |
| 1996 | 14 | 14% |
| 1995 | 22 | 12% |
| 1994 | 24 | 15% |
| 1993 | 25 | 13% |
| 1992 | 21 | 11% |
| 1991 | 10 | 33% |
| 1990 | 12 | 26% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1988 | 2 | 10% |
| 1987 | 7 | 18% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1996 Buick Lesabre
18 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsAir bags
8 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 28, 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