1996 Buick Lesabre Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the body and structure of the 1996 Buick Lesabre, 6% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles. 1 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.
“The grommets and/or washers that hold up the engine frame cradle rusted out and allowed this part to drop through the retaining bolts, once this happened there was a total loss of steering. Had I been driving on the interstate or 60 MPH on a state highway this would have turned into a very serious accident. I was sitting at a stoplight and the moment I accelerated I heard a very loud metallic thud/sound, which I assume was the cradle dropping down. I'm amazed that this all happened with zero warning that they were any issues with the steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #10241173, filed 2008-09, 102,000 miles“1. While driving a Buick Lesabre on dry, smooth, hard-surface road... In an instant... 2. All steering control was lost. Vehicle was brought to a stop with brakes. No death, no injury, no additional damage 3. The engine cradle bolts were found broken... This allowed the steering mechanism to become disconnected.... The bolts were replaced, the mechanism was connected, and the vehicle was returned to service 4. I contacted the people at Buick 25 may.... …”
NHTSA complaint #10335454, filed 2010-06, 116,700 miles“Dt: the mounts on the engine cradle broke and dropped and steering disengaged. The rack and pinion fell within the engine. Owner was in a parking lot driving when this happened. The speed was between 5-10 MPH. There were no prior problems with the vehicle. The manufacturer said that the owner will not be getting any help resolving this problem today. This happened on july 20, 2005. There were no injuries. The 4 rear mounts on the engine cradle broke. The owner was having this repaired eventually. The information provided by the consumer was what he thought was relevant to the complaint. …”
NHTSA complaint #10129532, filed 2005-07, 75,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Buick Lesabre. While driving 25 MPH, the contact struck a pothole and lost control of the vehicle. He noticed that the four rear washers were rusted, which caused the engine and transaxle frame to detach from the vehicle. As of october 24, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The contact replaced four upper and lower washers and isolators, in addition to four bolts. The failure mileage was 70,620 and current mileage was 70,670. Updated 12/07/07”
NHTSA complaint #10206800, filed 2007-10, 70,620 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 19 | 12% |
| 2003 | 57 | 35% |
| 2002 | 51 | 16% |
| 2001 | 50 | 15% |
| 2000 | 25 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 17 | 4% |
| 1996 | 6 | 6% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 9 | 6% |
| 1993 | 10 | 5% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 Buick Lesabre
18 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsFuel system
7 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 27, 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