1997 Buick Lesabre Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 6%of 394 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 6% of the 394 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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 turned the ignition to start my car on 1/17/2008 at approximately 8:30a and heard a very loud pop and smoke started coming out from under the hood. I looked under the hood and found that the engine cover and intake manifold were both shattered. I researched online and found a recall pertaining to this exact issue, recall number 96v116000; additionally, I found another recall pertaining to faulty safety belts, recall number 96v044000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10215239, filed 2008-01, 177,364 miles“I was rear ended while stopped at a red light and then pushed into the car stopped in front of me and transported to emergency room. The safety belt on my 1997 Buick Lesabre ltd did not hold me back during the collision and I was thrown face first into my steering wheel. This resulted in a severely broken nose, severe facial contusions and bruises. I am told by Buick dealer repair personnel that a Buick Lesabre must be traveling at 25 MPH in order for seat belts to lock and hold the driver back. …”
NHTSA complaint #10107882, filed 2005-01, 58,000 miles“Front driver's seat belt broke. It was the same defect as stated in recall 96v044000. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer. However, the VIN was not included the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10099677, filed 2004-12, 42,033 miles“The contact owned a 1997 Buick Lesabre. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle and the rear driver side seat belt webbing tightened independently around the child's body. The occupant sustained a fractured back and torn spine. In addition, there was injury to the abdomen. The injuries required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10779283, filed 2015-10, 45,000 miles“When riding in the vehicle and trying to get the seat belts to stay around the consumer, the front and the rear seat belt straps are too short to be pulled out and to go around the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #831754, filed 1998-12Related recalls
- 96V044000Mar 5, 1996These vehicles were assembled with one or more incorrect safety belt and/or safety belt buckle ends. This does not conform with the requirements of fmvss no…Covers: Buick Lesabre 1997, Park Avenue 1996
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% |
| 1998 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 22 | 6% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1993 | 4 | 2% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 6 | 13% |
| 1989 | 4 | 15% |
| 1988 | 3 | 14% |
| 1987 | 4 | 10% |
| 1986 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Lesabre
110 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsFuel system
40 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsTires
15 complaintsVehicle 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 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