Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1997 vs 1998 BUICK LESABRE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 347 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 1.8% more reports in the equal exposure window

1997 389 complaints 1998 396 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1997 share 1998 share Share change
ENGINE 26.2% 46.5% ▲ 20.2 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 8.7% 15.2% ▲ 6.4 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 8.0% 2.5% ▼ 5.4 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 6.4% 2.3% ▼ 4.2 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 5.1% 1.3% ▼ 3.9 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 7.5% 4.0% ▼ 3.4 pts smaller share
TIRES 3.3% 0.8% ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 3.1% 0.8% ▼ 2.3 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 1.8% not reported ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8.2% 9.9% ▲ 1.6 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.1% 0.8% ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.8% 0.5% ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 5.9% 4.8% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.8% 1.5% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
STEERING 3.1% 2.5% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 3.6% 3.3% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 71.5% 70.5% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1997 2

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and SEAT BELTS

1998 1

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
31 → 42
◆ Injuries
22 → 9