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1993 Buick LeSabre Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1993 Buick LeSabre has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS warning light and inoperative anti-lock brake system.” 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 1993 Buick LeSabre.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS warning light and inoperative anti-lock brake system

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

40 NHTSA complaints · 1996-04 → 2011-01

“CONSUMER IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-LOCK SKID SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM IN THE SYSTEM, THE ANTI-LOCK SKID SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK ONLY THE REGULAR HYDRAULIC BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #829249
“ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, INDICATING MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. DEALER STATES THAT THE PMV VALVE HAS TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #826587
“THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A PREESURE MODULE, NEED TO BE REPLACED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID ON ICE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #808453

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine cradle and motor mount failure with loss of steering

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 1999-09 → 2008-07

“WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT, CAUSING A LOSS OF FLUID AND STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #750061
“THE CRADLE MOUNT BOLTS SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10031867
“WHILE DRIVING THE WASHER RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE BOLT THAT HOUSES THE MOTOR MOUNTS TO DROP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #847385

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake master cylinder leaks and failures

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

12 NHTSA complaints · 1996-06 → 2010-07

“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED BRAKE FLUID WHICH COULD RESULT IN DECREASED BRAKING ABILITY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #820934
“I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED '93 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT FOR TWO DAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THEN THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, THE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10346237
“FAILURE OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #985802

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission oil cooler line leaks and underhood fires

POWER TRAIN

16 NHTSA complaints · 1996-04 → 2006-10

“RECALL RELATED, 96V015002, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, COOLING LINE OVER HEATED AND CAME APART, VEHICLE COMPLETLY BURNED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #983915
“UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE SEPARATED FROM COUPLING, CAUSING ENGINE FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #509171
“MY CAR LEAKS TRANS FLUID FROM UPPER COOLING LINE BUICK SAID ITS NOT A RECALL BUT IT LEAKS AT THE SAME FACTORY FITTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #720384

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling and shutting off while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

11 NHTSA complaints · 1996-08 → 2011-09

“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8001100
“MY 1993 BUICK LASABRE KEEPS STALLING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CAN BE ANYWHERE ON THE INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10355726
“DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY, AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUITS, AND WITH IT, SO DOES THE POWER STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10620765

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Alternator failures

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 NHTSA complaints · 1996-08 → 2001-02

“VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1993, SINCE THEN IT IS CONSTANTLY BURNING ALTERNATORS. HAD FOUR ALTERNATORS AND EACH ONE BURNED OUT IN FOUR TO SIX MONTHS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #812704
“GENERATOR/ALTERNATOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #507605
“ALTERNATOR FAILED RESULITNG IN THE CAR ABRUPTLY LOOSING POWER AND WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR QUIT COMPLETELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #508415

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden or unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

5 NHTSA complaints · 1997-01 → 1999-10

“WHILE ACCELERATING FROM STANDSTILL, SOMETHING SIGNALED CRUISE CONTROL TO ACCELERATE, NEVER STOPPED ACCELERATING, TURNED OFF IGNITION TO STOP VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #809890
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING IT TO HIT A TREE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #836863
“WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND PUTTING IT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT NOTICE AND THE DRIVER HAS TO RIDE THE BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #808367

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)

351 crashes 1990–2024

How the 351 occupant deaths break down

228

driver deaths

122

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

351

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1993 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.

14

complaints mentioning a crash

27

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 1993 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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