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1992 Buick LeSabre Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1992 Buick LeSabre has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake pedal to floor and loss of braking.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1992 Buick LeSabre.

Reported to NHTSA

Brake pedal to floor and loss of braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

16 NHTSA complaints · 1996-05 → 2001-01

“WHEN TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER HAVING AN ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #824346
“LOSS OF BRAKES, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND BRAKE WARNING SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #878096
“UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES FADE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALSO REPLACED REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #808540

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parking brake does not hold vehicle

PARKING BRAKE

10 NHTSA complaints · 1996-01 → 2007-03

“WHEN APPLIED THE PARKING LEVEL ASSEMBLY MAY RELEASE ONE OR MORE TEETH, REDUCING THE CABLE LOAD TO THE REAR BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #829262
“VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL, WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF, GEAR IN PARK, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ALMOST ROLLED DOWN THE HILL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #863955
“PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD, DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE 3 TIMES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #977193

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS warning light illuminated or ABS not functioning

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

33 NHTSA complaints · 1996-08 → 2003-06

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 30-35MPH, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON & STAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. ABS PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE NEEDED REPLACING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #830230
“THE ABS BRAKING LIGHT STAYS ON, AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURRED WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #847673
“ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED 3 MONTHS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, DEALERS REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #809251

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear brake adjuster spring and wheel cylinder failures

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

10 NHTSA complaints · 1995-10 → 1998-01

“REAR BRAKE ADJUSTING SPRING BROKE, BOTH REAR CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING PREMATURELY; SHOES BECAME OIL SOAKED; BRAKES LOCKED UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #976334
“FAILURE ON THE SELF ADJUSTER, WHEN DRIVING THE ADJUSTER BROKE, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #986921
“THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP, MAKING BRAKING ERRATIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #973166

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission oil cooler line leak and fire

POWER TRAIN

12 NHTSA complaints · 1995-09 → 2008-01

“THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE SEPARATED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO SPRAY ONTO THE HOT ENGINE WHICH CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #554406
“CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 96V015002. DEALER CORRECTED RECALL REPAIR, RECALL REPAIR HAS FAILED, COOLER LINE SEPARATED WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #873168
“WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE BOTTOM TRANSMISSION COOLING HOSE PULLED OUT OF THE CRIMP IN THE LINE AND SPILLED TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER THE TRANSMISSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #805593

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalls while driving without warning

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

12 NHTSA complaints · 1996-06 → 2000-06

“WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED IN HOT CLIMATE WEATHER VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #852650
“WHILE DRIVNG ALONG THE ENGINE WILL STOP WITHOUT WARNING, DOESN'T MATTER IF SPEED IS (25) OR (70) MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #808394
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #863356

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag did not deploy in collision

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 1997-04 → 2003-10

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED, THE AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #557006
“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10015072

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

375 crashes 1990–2024

How the 375 occupant deaths break down

254

driver deaths

121

passenger deaths

375

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1992 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

21

complaints mentioning a crash

25

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1992 Buick LeSabre reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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