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Electrical systemPart report

1997 Buick Lesabre Electrical system Problems

Complaints
42about this part
Share
11%of 394 total for the year
Median mileage
80,490miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 11% of the 394 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,490 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The horn will sound without pressing the horn button(s) when the car is in motion or unoccupied. This occurs when the weather is cold. I have researched this online and it is apparently an issue for many owners. Part of the air bag contracts during the winter months pressing on part of the horn button. The only way to shut it off is to pull the horn fuse. I am concerned this may lead to an electrical fire if the horn sounds for too long or an air bag malfunction. Also, the vehicle has to be driven without the ability to use the horn.”

NHTSA complaint #11121343, filed 2018-08, 65,000 miles

“I own a 1997 Buick le sabre custom (3.8) the car will shutdown when I am driving it.also it drains the battery.the date is the year that I purchased the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10730788, filed 2015-06, 12,344 miles

“I have not seen a fire yet but it has been smoking in the front of the car since 2010 when I brought the car used for 2800.00 at jims towing service in elizabeth new jersey and every time the car broke down whether it was electrical or what he had gotten mad at me for not bringing it to him and then the check engine kept on coming on and come to find out last month and the car cost me 2000.00 dollars to fix and the month before that the garage I went to navarro's had fixed the horn because that was going on and off again and sometimes the lights flicker and other things and now the security…”

NHTSA complaint #10455468, filed 2012-04, 98,000 miles

“I have replaced the instrument cluster panel (dashboard) in my car twice within the last 2 1/2 years. Each time I had to order a replacement and lost the use of my car for an extended period of time.”

NHTSA complaint #10018770, filed 2003-05, 106,000 miles

“Dt: the consumer stated the horn will not stop blowing, and the air bag assembly is making a noise. The sound is coming out of the steering wheel. When driving the horn just starts blowing out of nowhere, it just starts blowing, specifically states the consumer. When pressing the horn pad it will stop sometimes. One has to press in a certain spot. The car is a 1997 Buick Lesabre. The consumer is going to call and see what GM can do. This has been happening for two weeks.”

NHTSA complaint #10137067, filed 2005-09, 77,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20052532%
20046641%
2003159%
2002248%
20013812%
20008713%
19992813%
19985013%
19974211%
19961414%
19952212%
19942415%
19932513%
19922111%
19911033%
19901226%
198927%
1988210%
1987718%
1984120%

Other parts of the 1997 Buick Lesabre

Engine cooling
110 complaints
Fuel system
40 complaints
Brakes
36 complaints
Air bags
33 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
33 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaints
Steering
25 complaints
Seat belts
22 complaints
Suspension
20 complaints
Body and structure
17 complaints
Tires
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1997 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