1997 Buick Lesabre Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 8%of 394 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Buick Lesabre, 8% of the 394 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car jerks like a fish tugging on your line at different speeds and when coming up an incline. It also has a very strong odor that I smell when running the A/C. I smell it outside the car and occasionally I smell it inside the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10465202, filed 2012-07, 97,000 miles“I was in my driveway and put the shift in reverse, but it did not stay there. Instead it went back to drive and the accelerator was stuck on my 1997 Buick Lesabre traveled about 4 feet at high speed and struck a small tree. My insurance company totaled the car. My insurance premium went up for an accident that was not my fault. Can you give me the web site of a similar car and year in an accident in 2003 in california? Thank you, nikolaos (nick) caravasos”
NHTSA complaint #10290200, filed 2009-10, 46,500 miles“The car accelerated itself in reverse and I was unable to stop it even though I had the brake pedal depressed as far as it would go. I had started the car, depressed the brake pedal (the brake must be engaged in order to put the car in gear) and the car shot back and would not stop. I was rather panicked as I was leaving a convenience store and was trying to avoid hitting the gas pumps, other vehicles and pedestrians. I managed to back the car into the street and attempted to put it in park so it would stop. The gear shift went into the park position, but the car did not stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10283621, filed 2009-09, 186,000 miles“Hello, I had a problem with my car hesitating going up a small grade or sometimes just driving down the road and took it back to the dealer. They told me it was a spark plug and fixed it. The problem continued and I took it to another dealer who said I needed a new transmission. Besides a new transmission, they also replaced the intake manifold gasket and put new brakes on the front with rotors. The receipt from the garage says the transmission had an 1870 trouble code. My car was purchased new and had 52,000 miles on it. The total cost was 4200.00. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070132, filed 2004-01, 52,000 miles“Transmission shudders between 30 to 40 MPH. Also at 50 MPH on the highway. Have been told may need transmission. Car only has 56,000 miles. Transmission fluid has been drained. Did not help. Please advise”
NHTSA complaint #11109928, filed 2018-07, 49,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10135203Apr 15, 2014This preliminary bulletin provides a way to aid the technician in diagnosing transmission fluid leaking from the trans breather vent.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 10% |
| 2004 | 12 | 7% |
| 2003 | 18 | 11% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 9% |
| 2000 | 24 | 4% |
| 1999 | 15 | 7% |
| 1998 | 20 | 5% |
| 1997 | 33 | 8% |
| 1996 | 6 | 6% |
| 1995 | 8 | 4% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1993 | 33 | 17% |
| 1992 | 20 | 11% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Lesabre
110 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsFuel system
40 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsSeat belts
22 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 29, 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