1989 Buick LESABRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
101,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 19 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Tires: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 17 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 4; 2000: 3; 2002: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10157309 · 2006-04-28 (April 28, 2006)
1989 BUICK LESABRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10187555 · 2007-04-11 (April 11, 2007)
FUEL LINE PRESSURE FEEDER AT LH SIDE RUSTED THROUGH THE PLASTIC BRACKET IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL FRAME RAIL IN AUGUST 2005. POOL OF GAS 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER UNDER THE CAR IN CLOSED GARAGE OVERNIGHT. BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH THE SAME SPOT IN JANUARY 2006. LOST BRAKES WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN, ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN. FUEL RETURN LINE RUSTED THROUGHOUT SAME AREA ON 4-11-07. POOL OF GAS IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. SERVICE / REPAIR DEALER, VAN ZEELAND IN APPLETON WISCONSIN REPORTED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEMS WITH BUICKS. FIXED A …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10187555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229488 · 2008-06-02 (June 2, 2008)
WHILE DRIVING ON I-485S APPROX 45 MILES DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WAS TIRES TREAD ONLY RIPPED IN A CIRCLE AROUND WHITEWALL AREA OF A KUMHO TOURING 795 SIZE 205-75R-14 TIRE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER WHO I PURCHASED TIRES WITH A WARRANTY HAVE NOT HAD THE TIRES FOR A YEAR THEY GAVE ME FREE TIRE AND ROTATION FOR 3500 MI OR MORE AS LONG AS A HAD THE SET THEY WERE NEW WHEN I PURCHASED THEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500185 · 1995-12-05 (December 5, 1995)
SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO SECURE DRIVER, CAUSING INJURY DURING ACCIDENT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502274 · 1996-03-04 (March 4, 1996)
FREEZE PLUGS FAILED THREE TIMES. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727811 · 2000-08-14 (August 14, 2000)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764787 · 2002-07-26 (July 26, 2002)
TREADS SEPARATED ON TWO FRONT TIRES AFTER ONLY 14,582 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8006526 · 2002-03-27 (March 27, 2002)
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, EVERYTHING LOCKED UP ON VEHICLE. COULD NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL NOR TURN VEHICLE OFF WITH THE KEY. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM DEALER FOUND AND REPLACED TCC SOLENOID AND ALL 3 GEAR SWITCHES IN TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8006526 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V143000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 1988-08-29 (August 29, 1988)
FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Consequence: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH VEHICLE BECOMES INVERTEDMISSING VALVE COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF AMOUNT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V188000 · Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 1989-11-07 (November 7, 1989)
VEHICLES MAY HAVE DISCREPANT WELDS IN THE LEFT REAR ROCKER PANEL WHICH CAN CAUSE DEFORMATION OF THE PANEL.
Consequence: INCREASED DEFORMATION OF THE LEFT REAR ROCKER PANELCAN CAUSE THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE NOT TO ACHIEVE THE LOAD REQUIREDBY FMVSS NO. 210.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT KIT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗