1988 Buick LESABRE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 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 ↗
Owner report 10204264 · 2007-09-27 (September 27, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204264 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 483973 · 1995-09-07 (September 7, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485484 · 1995-06-19 (June 19, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485793 · 1995-07-03 (July 3, 1995)
ALTERNATOR FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500570 · 1996-01-10 (January 10, 1996)
STEERING FREEZES UP DUE A DEFECTIVE BALL MECHANISM IN RACK AND PINION STEERING. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500570 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V006000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1988-01-20 (January 20, 1988)
OWNERS MANUAL DID NOT INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER USAGE OF REAR SEAT SAFETY BELT SYSTEMS.
Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 209.
Remedy: FURNISH OWNERS WITH UPDATED OWNERS MANUALS THAT CONTAIN THE OMITTED INSTRUCTIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V067000 · Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
Reported: 1988-04-19 (April 19, 1988)
LOW TORQUE OF THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC UNIT MOUNTING BOLTS COULD CAUSE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND/OR POOR PEDAL FEEL IF ATTACHMENT LOOSENS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF BRAKEHYDRAULIC UNIT FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET AND RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTIONAND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE HYDRAULIC UNIT MOUNTING BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V102000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1989-06-16 (June 16, 1989)
A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).
Consequence: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗