RoadVitals

1989 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.
27
Latest Jun 2, 2008
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.
0
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.
4
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Buick Lesabre, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Fuel system413.3%
  • Seat belts413.3%
  • Driver assistance413.3%
  • Tires & wheels310.0%
  • Brakes310.0%
  • Visibility26.7%
  • Electrical26.7%
  • Engine26.7%

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
89V188000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Nov 7, 1989
6 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLES MAY HAVE DISCREPANT WELDS IN THE LEFT REAR ROCKER PANEL WHICH CAN CAUSE DEFORMATION OF THE PANEL.
The risk: INCREASED DEFORMATION OF THE LEFT REAR ROCKER PANELCAN CAUSE THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE NOT TO ACHIEVE THE LOAD REQUIREDBY FMVSS NO. 210.
The remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT KIT.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
88V143000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

Aug 29, 1988
1,655 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: REPLACE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 27
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 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

NHTSA ID
10229488
Incident
May 30, 2008
Mileage
133,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Apr 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 LOT OF THEM. SOME THING WAS WRONG WITH THIS DESIGN, LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. FUEL & BRAKE FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10187555
Incident
Apr 11, 2007
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 28, 2006
Fire reported

1989 BUICK LESABRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10157309
Incident
Mar 18, 2006
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 26, 2002

TREADS SEPARATED ON TWO FRONT TIRES AFTER ONLY 14,582 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
764787
Incident
May 14, 2002
Transmission
Filed Mar 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

NHTSA ID
8006526
Incident
Mar 26, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Oct 2, 2000

FUEL LINE IS LEAKING FUEL DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
871930
Filed Aug 14, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
727811
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 12, 2000
Crash reported

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH, VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, CAME DOWN INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR ONTO GUARDRAIL ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND BOUNCED OFF INTO THE MEDIUM STRIP. INSURANCE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
860221
Incident
Apr 3, 2000

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
1989Viewing273054.4
1988214352.7
1987405966.8
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.