RoadVitals

1987 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.
40
Latest May 1, 2002
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.
5
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.
9
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.
5
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 40 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Buick Lesabre, most frequently naming the steering, engine and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 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

  • Steering1530.6%
  • Engine612.2%
  • Electrical612.2%
  • Seat belts48.2%
  • Driver assistance36.1%
  • Brakes36.1%
  • Fuel system36.1%
  • Interior & seats36.1%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
88V067000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Apr 19, 1988
1,889 units potentially affected
The defect: LOW TORQUE OF THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC UNIT MOUNTING BOLTS COULD CAUSE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND/OR POOR PEDAL FEEL IF ATTACHMENT LOOSENS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF BRAKEHYDRAULIC UNIT FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET AND RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTIONAND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE HYDRAULIC UNIT MOUNTING BOLTS.
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 40
Engine
Filed May 1, 2002

THE VEHICLE STALLED MANY TIMES WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON RIGHT AFTER EACH SERVICE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. *YH

NHTSA ID
565551
Steering
Filed Jan 25, 2002

THIS SAME COMPONENT FAILED ON A 1985 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY AT 135000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
757317
Incident
Jan 25, 2002
Steering
Filed Jan 21, 2000

WHEEL COLUMN LOOSE -- EXCESSIVE PLAY AND STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT MADE STEERING DIFFICULT AS WHEEL MOVED UP AND DOWN AND ROCKED AT AN ANGLE TO THE LEFT. DEALER CONTACTED AND GM CONTACTED--NEITHER CONSIDERED THIS A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES MY BODY WOULD MOVE FORWARD TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT SECURE. I WAS FORCED TO COVER 100% COST OF THE REPAIR. THE DEALER HAD TO DROP THE ENGINE AND PUT A NEW BOLT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUM IN THE ENGINE AREA. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS WAS REPAIRED IN APPROXIMATELY 1996. ABOUT 18 MONTHS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING, BUT TO A LESSER DEGREE. BECAUSE OF MY WORK SCHEDULE, TRANSPORTATION, ETC. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK IN TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN APPROX. THREE YEARS SINCE THE FIRST REPAIR. FORTUNATELY IT IS NOT AS LOOSE AS THE FIRST TIME, BUT IS SLOWLY GETTING SLOPPIER. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS CONDITION CAUSING AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1987 BUICK. IF THIS WAS TRULY THE CASE, WHY DID I HAVE TO INCUR THE REPAIR COST -- $189.00 TO REPLACE THE BOLT.

NHTSA ID
717671
Incident
Mar 1, 1996
Fuel system
Filed Mar 29, 1999

ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO FUEL INJECTION FAILURE. YH

NHTSA ID
784559
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Steering
Filed Feb 15, 1999

WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS & THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD, THE STEERING IS VERY STIFF, REQUIRING HANDS TO TURN THE WHEEL. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BREAKS FREE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
703329
Steering
Filed Jan 15, 1999

WHILE DRVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, UPON TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL REAL HARD. WHENEVER TURNING TO THE RIGHT THE PROBLEM STILL IS THERE. *AK

NHTSA ID
833639
Incident
Jun 21, 1998
Engine
Filed Oct 22, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO 4 DIFFERENT DEALERS, CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
829358
Incident
Feb 1, 1990
Steering
Filed Sep 23, 1998
2 injuries reported

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE ROLL OVER.

NHTSA ID
541051
Incident
Aug 17, 1998

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
1987Viewing405966.8
19861631158.2
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.