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1995 Buick LeSabre Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1995 Buick LeSabre has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Steering box and engine cradle bolt fracture.” 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.

Save this car as:

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 1995 Buick LeSabre.

Reported to NHTSA

Steering box and engine cradle bolt fracture

STEERING, STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-09 → 2013-07

“DRIVING MY 1995 BUICK LESABRE I DROVE DOWN AND UP A SLIGHT ROAD VARIATION AND THEN HEARD A NOISE I TURNED RIGHT TO GET TO MY OFFICE UPON MAKING THE TURN I LOST ALL STEERING I GOT THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND LOOKED THE WHOLE UNDERCARRIAGE CRADLE WAS SITTING NEAR THE GROUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10334273
“THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE STEERING BOX TO THE FRAME FRACTURED, CAUSING LIMITED CONTROL OF THE STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10444367
“CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BOLTS HOLDING THE ENGINE CRADLE WERE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE CRADLE FELL DOWN AND DISENGAGED THE STEERING LINKAGES. VEHICLE COULD NOT STEER PROPERLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10079436

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread separation

TIRES

7 NHTSA complaints · 1997-09 → 2008-09

“TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. BRIDGESTONE MODEL. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED BODY DAMAGE (BRIDGESTONE P205/70R15)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10039905
“WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH RIGHT FRONT GENERAL TIRE SIZE: P205/70R15, DOT: A3M0DBI138 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 15000 TO 18,000 MILES ON THIS TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #893269
“(3) OF (4 ) GENERAL TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION, AND THE 4TH TIRE HAD FLAT SPOTS. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE CAR. TIRE SIZE P20570R15”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #815575

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spontaneous airbag deployment without collision

AIR BAGS

19 NHTSA complaints · 2002-07 → 2016-01

“BOTH (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) FRONTAL AIRBAGS ON MY 1995 BUICK LESABRE DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON ON JUNE 27TH AND 28TH 2015. ON THE 27TH, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10730972
“THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH. THERE WAS NO IMPACT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10163530
“THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGERS SIDE DEPLOYED WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT. CONTACTED GM ,THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE AT AN AUCTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10131228

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Horn activation linked to airbag/horn module

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

17 NHTSA complaints · 1999-04 → 2003-01

“HORN SWITCH IS INTEGRATED INTO DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. HORN ACTIVATED BY ITSELF AND HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. MISSOURI LAW REQUIRES THE HORN TO WORK TO PASS STATE INSPECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #769273
“WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING, HORN BLOWS WITHOUT TOUCHING IT, WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH THE HORN WILL BLOW. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT COVER FOR HORN SHRUNK AND WAS CAUSING HORN TO BLOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8015325
“HORN BLEW CONSTANTLY...HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED...DEALER WANTS OVER $800 TO CORRECT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #722384

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment during frontal collision

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 1996-02 → 2001-02

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45 MPH, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #878337
“WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, VEHICLE WAS HIT TWICE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHICH SENT THE VEHICLE INTO A STEEL POST HEAD-ON. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED CHEST, HEAD AND NECK INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #829388
“WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING HIT A DEER AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS INJURIED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #881032

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall without warning while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 NHTSA complaints · 1996-03 → 2016-04

“THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. IT SOMETIMES STALLS WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT OR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD/HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP ALONG WITH A FUEL PUMP, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AIR MASS SENSOR AND GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10861671
“WHEN DRIVING ALONG ABOUT 30-40 MPH OR LESS THE ENGINE WILL JUST QUIT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 30 DAY FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #810075
“WHILE DRIVING IT DOESN'T MATTER OF THE SPEED, ENGINE WILL JUST DIE FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. HAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #980021

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS and hydraulic brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

19 NHTSA complaints · 1995-06 → 2004-11

“WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY WILL LOCK UP CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10004485
“ABS VALVE BLOCK FAILED . AM REPORTING THIS FAILURE SINCE IT IS THE SECOND ABS BRAKE FAILURE OF TWO GM AUTOMOBILES WE CURRENTLY OWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #709192
“BRAKES CONTINUALLY FAILING CAUSING EXTREME VIBRATION, REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY PADS AND ROTORS DID NOT RECTIFY INTERMITTENT FAILURES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #542792

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Head restraint height inadequate for tall occupants

SEATS

7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-10 → 1997-02

“HEADREST DO NOT RAISE HIGH ENOUGH TO SUPPORT HEAD OF THE SIX FOOT DRIVER. THEY ALSO DO NOT STAY IN RAISED POSITION WHEN ANY WEIGHT IS APPLIED. THESE HEADREST WOULD NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #546655
“HEAD RESTRAINT FAILED TO SECURE HEAD DURING REAR COLLISION, CAUSING NECK INJURY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #505970
“HEAD RESTRAINTS DO NOT EXTEND HIGH ENOUGH TO PROTECT TALL PEOPLE FROM WHIPLASH INJURY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #488694

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)

432 crashes 1990–2024

How the 432 occupant deaths break down

308

driver deaths

124

passenger deaths

432

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1994 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

3

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 1995 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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