1990 Buick LESABRE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
179,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 32 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 15.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 9.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 27 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 | 12 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 6; 2000: 1; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 4; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10084024 · 2004-08-02 (August 2, 2004)
WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING THERE IS A CONSTANT SOUND OF AIR ESCAPING. THERE IS AN ANTICIPATION OF THE VEHICLE BACK FIRING AT ALL TIMES. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND USE TWICE AS MUCH FUEL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10084024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483440 · 1995-08-25 (August 25, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING (OTHER VEHICLE ON 468583). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967879 · 1995-06-28 (June 28, 1995)
RATTLE IN GAS TANK DUE TO LOOSE BAFFLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982879 · 1996-04-17 (April 17, 1996)
THE FUEL TANK IS DAMAGED FROM THE ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054614 · 2004-01-21 (January 21, 2004)
THE BRAKES ON A 1990 BUICK LESABRE FAILED IN THE DEALER LOT WHEN I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR. THEY ASSURED ME THEY WOULD REPAIR THE BRAKES AND CALL ME WHEN THE CAR WAS READY FOR SALE. AFTER THE REPAIR, I PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKES SOON FAILED AGAIN. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE WITH COMPRESSION FITTINGS INSTEAD OF HIGH-PRESSURE INVERTED-FLARE HYDRAULIC FITTINGS. I SUSPECT THIS WAS UNLAWFUL. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, AND THE AGENT I TALKED TO DOESN'T SEEM TO COMPREHEND THAT THE USE OF COMPRESSION FITTINGS…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484892 · 1995-08-09 (August 9, 1995)
REAR BRAKES FAILED THREE TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062100 · 2004-03-13 (March 13, 2004)
I HAVE A 1990 BUICK LESABRE THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH TILT WHEEL. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE...I HAD NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. ANYWAY, I THOUGHT "WELL, THE CAR IS JUST AGING" AND DIDN'T THINK TO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL YESTERDAY. MY SON WAS CLIMBING ACROSS THE DRIVERS SEAT AND ACCIDENTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR. WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER WE GOT THE CAR STOPPED, I DISCOVERED THAT EVEN WITH THE STEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 179,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985645 · 1996-06-14 (June 14, 1996)
THE STEERING RACK MAKES VEHICLE PULL AGAINST WHEEL CAUSING CAR TO LOSE CONTROL. *AL
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478230 · 1995-01-02 (January 2, 1995)
TRANSAXLE FAILED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP/LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8015680 · 2002-08-07 (August 7, 2002)
A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN TO A REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8015680 at NHTSA ↗