1993 Buick Lesabre problems & reliability
194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1993 Buick Lesabre. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
7 complaints report injuries (7 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1993 Buick Lesabre vehicles were involved in 6 fatal crashes with 3 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 69 | 36% |
| Power Train | 33 | 17% |
| Electrical System | 25 | 13% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 25 | 13% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 6% |
| Structure | 10 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 9 | 5% |
| Tires | 9 | 5% |
| Steering | 8 | 4% |
| Seats | 7 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Driving the car normally, and the engine suddenly quits, and with it, so does the power steering. Very dangerous, but I have been able to restart in neutral, luckily. Why?? *tr”
Engine · filed Aug 7, 2014
“As I drive down the road, it doesn't matter at what speed, my engine will suddenly die. There is no warning lights, no lurching nor sputtering, it just drops dead. When this happens I know there is power to my car because the lights and radio seem unaffected. However, my engine, power steering and power brakes all…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Sep 29, 2011
“I have owned the car for 3 1/2 yrs now and this is the first time I have had this type of brake failure. The brakes went all the way to the floor and the car sled, I was trying to come to a complete stop to make a turn. The abs lite has been on the car almost ever since I bought it.”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Jan 9, 2011
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FUEL LEAKS
Engineering Analysis EA93018 · opened Jul 13, 1993 · closed Jun 24, 1994
- FUEL LEAKS
Preliminary Evaluation PE93013 · opened Mar 5, 1993 · closed Jul 13, 1993
Technical service bulletins
19 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1993 Buick Lesabre. The 10 most recent:
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine…
990730030A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when in park on incline. *tt
990730030 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1999
Some customers may comment that there is corrosion ( rust ) appearing on the left and /or right rocker panel(s). *yc
832006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1998
Some customers may comment that the vehicle
98833005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1998
Information on growling noise in transaxle during first four minutes after start up. *yc
10001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 1998
Comments on inoperative power door locks (front and/or rear doors).
971101631041 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 1997
Excessive vibration of electrochromic inside rearview mirror. *tw
731608 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure). *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise. *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1996
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1993 Buick Lesabre in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1993 Buick Lesabre?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.