1987 Buick LESABRE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 30.4% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 26.1% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
1995: 14; 1996: 6; 2000: 1; 2002: 2
Pattern summary
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 506704 · 1996-07-26 (July 26, 1996)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717671 · 2000-01-21 (January 21, 2000)
WHEEL COLUMN LOOSE -- EXCESSIVE PLAY AND STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT MADE STEERING DIFFICULT AS WHEEL MOVED UP AND DOWN AND ROCKED AT AN ANGLE TO THE LEFT. DEALER CONTACTED AND GM CONTACTED--NEITHER CONSIDERED THIS A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES MY BODY WOULD MOVE FORWARD TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT SECURE. I WAS FORCED TO COVER 100% COST OF THE REPAIR. THE DEALER HAD TO DROP THE ENGINE AND PUT A NEW BOLT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUM IN THE ENGINE AREA. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717671 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506961 · 1996-08-01 (August 1, 1996)
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 565551 · 2002-05-01 (May 1, 2002)
THE VEHICLE STALLED MANY TIMES WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON RIGHT AFTER EACH SERVICE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507860 · 1996-08-23 (August 23, 1996)
BRAKES FAIL EVERY 8-10000 MILES, AND MASTER CYLINDER HAS FAILED THREE TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482654 · 1995-03-28 (March 28, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489377 · 1995-04-19 (April 19, 1995)
BATTERY REPLACED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489377 at NHTSA ↗