RoadVitals

1986 Buick Lesabre

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Aug 17, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Buick Lesabre, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and seat belts categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 11 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine633.3%
  • Brakes211.1%
  • Seat belts211.1%
  • Steering211.1%
  • Tires & wheels211.1%
  • Transmission15.6%
  • Driver assistance15.6%
  • Other / unspecified15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
89V102000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jun 16, 1989
1,755,897 units potentially affected
The defect: 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).
The risk: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
86V131000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Sep 19, 1986
106,111 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA90017ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Mar 26, 1990
Closed Apr 22, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89171ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Sep 26, 1989
Closed Mar 26, 1990

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA89028ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR BRAKE PIN

Opened Jul 28, 1989
Closed Jul 27, 1990

SUMMARY:THESE VEHICLES HAVE REAR DRUM BRAKES.THE PARKING LEVER PIVOTPIN IS HELD BY AN E RING.WHEN THE RING FAILS, PARTS OF THE RING ANDPIN FALL LOOSE INTO THE DRUM AND MAY JAM THE BRAKE, LOCKING THE WHEEL.A STRONGER E RING IS USED IN 1988 AND NEWER CARS.THIS INVESTIGATIONHAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE GMS C BODY CARS LISTED ABOVE (E RING COMMONTO ALL CARS SHOWN).===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89101ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR BRAKE PIN

Opened Mar 15, 1989
Closed Jul 28, 1989

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 16
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 17, 2001
Crash reported3 injuries reported

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE INJURED IN ACCIDENT, THE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TRIUMP I TIRES, TUWSRS, DOT NUMBER 00061298 ONLY HAD 1200 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT, CONSUMER HIT A VEHICLE HEAD ON AND THEN ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE, CONSUMER STATED THE TREAD SEPARATED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
894654
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 17, 2001

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
748629
Seat belts
Filed May 25, 2001

BUCKLE TO FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T LATCH. SPRING IN BUCKLE IS BROKEN. PART IS COMMONLY USED IN ALL GMC VEHICLES. *AK

NHTSA ID
889156
Incident
May 23, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 1, 2001

CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATING ON ITS OWN WHILE SWITCH IS IN OFF POSITION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO INCREASE IN SPEED UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA ID
881843
Engine
Filed Jan 2, 2001

I HAD TAKEN MY USED CAR TO TODDS TOWING AT 3867 HIGHWAY 87 REIDSVILLE NC 27320 ON THE FOLLOWING DATES 11-20-2000, AGAIN THREE DAYS LATER 11-23-00 AND AGAIN ON 13-4-00. EACH TIME HE CLAIMED TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. I PAID 280.00, 218.00 AND $177.00. ALMOST $700.00 WITHIN A MONTHS TIME. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE LAST TIME. 12-4-00 I BROKE AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT GARAGE, WHERE I WAS PROPTLEY INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR WAS SIEZING UP. I TRIED TO TALK TO TODDS TOWING ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD TO LEAVE THE PREMISES. I DON'T FEEL THIS MAN "TODD" IS A LICENSED MACHANIC. AND IF INFACT HE IS THEN HE NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED. I BELIEVE HE SWINDLED ME OUT OF ALMOST $700.00 AND WOULD HAVE CONTINUED IF I HADN'T GONE ELSE WERE. I AM DEBATING IF I SHOULD/COULD TAKE HIM TO CIVIL COURT ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRICIATE THANK YOU , TAMARA SEGUIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
738643
Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2000

ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
853873
Incident
Dec 7, 1999
Filed Jun 23, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
707841
Incident
Jun 16, 1999
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 24, 1998

NOTICE SOME WEAR AT THE MOUNTING HOLES RESULTING IN IMPERFECT CENTERING. BUICK REFUSES TO TELL ME IF THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM REPLACING THE LUG NUTS THAT CAM WITH THE RIMS WITH STANDARD CENTERING LUG NUTS. THE ORIGINAL LUG NUTS AND RIMS WERE MADE WITH LARGE FLAT AREAS AND RELYING ON THE DIAMETER OF THE LUG NUTS TO DO THE CENTERING.

NHTSA ID
533214

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Lesabre by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013000—
2006300—
2005770040.3
20041620036.7
20031641040.9
20023092154.7
20013280143.0
20006685258.9
19992092362.2
19984001253.9
19973942259.5
1996982256.1
19951781046.7
19941580042.1
19931941253.8
19921892364.2
1991301148.9
1990461151.0
1989273054.4
1988214352.7
1987405966.8
1986Viewing1631158.2
1985514—
1984524—
1983101—
1982110—
1981030—
1979120—
1978030—
1977130—
1976020—
1975031—
1974010—
1972010—
1971130—
1970020—
1967010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.