1999 Buick Lesabre Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 6%of 209 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 134,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Buick Lesabre, 6% of the 209 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,500 miles. 5 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.
“I was sitting at a red light when my air bag from the steering column deployed in my face. I did not hit anything. It was on or about 1/25/18. About a week prior to this event my horn began to steadily blow inexplicably. I did not have any reason to suspect anything other than a malfunctioning horn so I disconnected the wires to the horn. When the air bag deployed about a week later I concluded the air bag was inflating inside the steering wheel applying pressure to the horn sensor. …”
NHTSA complaint #11074558, filed 2018-02, 205,000 miles“Air bag design flaw - a life threatening design flaw. I am the original owner of a 1999 Buick Lesabre custom (purchased at the end of the model year). The car often spends time in the bright florida sun. Although I use a reflective windshield sun screen, the car still gets hot inside (as do most florida cars). Recently, the horn began to honk continuously. I took it into the orange Buick and gmc dealer in orlando fl. The problem is that the air bag has swolen up and compressed the horn relay. The air bag is broken and needs to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062638, filed 2004-03, 47,500 miles“Driving north on avon rd, plainfield in, both air bags deployed for no reason. It blew the drivers hands off the wheel going 45 miles per hour. Did not crash. The passenger has bruises on leg. It happened early evening, still light outside, good weather. No warning what so ever.”
NHTSA complaint #10678878, filed 2015-01, 169,000 miles“My vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle ( chevy astro mini-van) in excess of 60 MPH. I was traveling at posted 30 MPH. My car was shoved into the concrete wall of the bridge causing severe front damage and then riding up the wall and then back onto the roadway. The front airbags did not deploy causing the driver to be slammed into the steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #727926, filed 2000-08“The contact owns a 1999 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the air bag deployed independently while the vehicle was parked. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the air bag and air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case on the contact's behalf. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. ....updated 0711/16”
NHTSA complaint #10870746, filed 2016-05, 58,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 14 | 9% |
| 2003 | 21 | 13% |
| 2002 | 37 | 12% |
| 2001 | 29 | 9% |
| 2000 | 31 | 5% |
| 1999 | 13 | 6% |
| 1998 | 11 | 3% |
| 1997 | 33 | 8% |
| 1996 | 8 | 8% |
| 1995 | 44 | 25% |
| 1994 | 19 | 12% |
| 1993 | 9 | 5% |
| 1992 | 14 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1999 Buick Lesabre
69 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTires
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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