1988 Buick LESABRE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,123 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 18 complaints (38.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 9 | 50.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
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:Rack And Pinion | 7 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 7; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Seat Belts: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 16 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 | 8 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
1995: 8; 1996: 3; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2007: 2
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10022982 · 2003-07-24 (July 24, 2003)
THE STEERING HAS BEEN HARD SINCE DAY ONE AND CONSUMER HAS BEEN PATCHING UP VEHICLE TO KEEP IT RUNNING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER MADE AN ALUMINUM ROD FOR THAT YEAR VEHICLE. IT IS RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480792 · 1995-01-23 (January 23, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 864272 · 2000-06-26 (June 26, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 864272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960632 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS OUT AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN COMING TO STOPS, REPLACE CONTROL MODULE TO NO AVAIL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193543 · 2007-06-17 (June 17, 2007)
RECURRING BRAKE REPAIRS: REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS, BRAKE SHOES, MACHINE DRUMS. MILEAGE AT EACH REPAIR 10,953, 17,124, 25642, 37,753, 48,245. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 48,245 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193543 at NHTSA ↗