1991 Buick Lesabre Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Buick Lesabre, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1025.0%
- Brakes717.5%
- Engine512.5%
- Seat belts37.5%
- Fuel system37.5%
- Tires & wheels25.0%
- Interior & seats25.0%
- Transmission25.0%
- Visibility12.5%
- Driver assistance12.5%
- Exterior lighting12.5%
- Steering12.5%
- Suspension12.5%
- Body & structure12.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
IGNITION COIL MODULE SHORTED OUT BURNING SPARK PLUG WIRES. *MJS
I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING WHEEL JOIN. I BELIEVE BUICK SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE THIS CAN LEAD TO A FIRE INSIDE THE CAR. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS ABS BRAKES. BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED.VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ONWER VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK
DURING DECELERATION NO RESPONSE FROM BRAKING SYSTEM. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. CONSEQUENCE: DESTRUCTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
AN ILLEGAL INSPECTION WAS DONE ON ONE OF MY VEHICLES -USING ANOTHER CAR AT THIS LOCATION, PUTTING IN INFORMATION ON MY VEHICLE & PASSING SAID VEHICLE AS BEING LEGAL TO DRIVE & PROPERLY INSPECTED-I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT THIS LOCATION DOES THESE TYPES OF INSPECTIONS QUITE FREQUENTLY. THE OWNER PAYS HIS EMPLOYEES UNDER THE TABLE TO KEEP THEM OUT OF TROUBLE WITH CHILD SUPPORT-HE LIES ABOUT EARNED WAGES-AND RUMOR HAS IT THAT THE ENTIRE SHOP IS EITHER HIGH ON CRACK, COCAINE OR MARIJUANA-THEY ARE HEAVY DRINKERS THAT FREQUENT THE BAR RIGHT NEXT DOOR-GARY'S SPOT-THE OWNER (NABIL) HAS ALL OF HIS FRIENDS COME IN FOR THESE INSPECTIONS-SOMETIMES THEY CHARGE THEM -SOMETIMES NOT. I REALLY THINK THIS LOCATION NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED & DRUG TESTED. I PAY GOOD HARD EARNED MONEY FOR MY THINGS-AND I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA THAT THESE FOREIGNERS CAN COME OVER HERE & DO AS THEY PLEASE. *TR
WHILE STARTING CAR THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE THE CAR WAS A COMPLETE TOTALED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH HAS FAILED, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE LACK OF SAFETY OF DOOR MOUNTED SEATBELTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE FIRE AFTER FUEL RAN OUT OF VEHICLE. NAR 07/02/2003.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF GAS. THE CONSUMER FIGURED THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK SINCE HE HAD FILLED THE VEHICLE UP THE DAY BEFORE. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM
GASOLINE LEAKS WHERE IT ENTERS INTO FUEL TANK, DISSOLVES IN UNERCOATING, CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK ONTO FLOOR OF GARAGE, FIRE POTENTIAL. *AK FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR COOPER FUTURA 2000 RADIAL LTE TIRES, SIZE P2-05/70R14 (NA). IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY AS IF AN ALIGNMENT WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND, AS A RESULT, TWO BOLTS DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT REPLACED THREE OF THE FAILURE TIRES AND NOW HAVE ONE MORE TO REPLACE. HE FEELS THAT THE BUMPS IN THE TIRES ARE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, BUT YET THEY CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE A SHAKE/WOBBLE IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/18/09*JB
FIRESTONE TIRES WORE PREMATURELY DUE TO BEING DEFECTIVE. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY DAUGHTER TURNED ON THE CAR AND MOVED THE DRIVER'S SEAT FORWARD. SHE SMELLED SMOKE AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE COMPUTER AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKET SEAT COLLAPSED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER SAID THE SPOT WELDS LET GO OFF THE SEAT. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY DURING MANUFACTURING (2-3 ACCUMULATOR FEED CHECK BALL HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY PLACED DURING ASSEMBLY) , RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.
CONTROL MODULE FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
IGNITION COIL MODULE SHORTED OUT BURNING SPARK PLUG WIRES. *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
IGNITION COIL MODULE SHORTED OUT BURNING SPARK PLUG WIRES. *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
ASK FOR EXT 233. VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ASK FOR EXT 233. VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR COOPER FUTURA 2000 RADIAL LTE TIRES, SIZE P2-05/70R14 (NA). IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY AS IF AN ALIGNMENT WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND, AS A RESULT, TWO BOLTS DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT REPLACED THREE OF THE FAILURE TIRES AND NOW HAVE ONE MORE TO REPLACE. HE FEELS THAT THE BUMPS IN THE TIRES ARE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, BUT YET THEY CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE A SHAKE/WOBBLE IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/18/09*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS 1991 BUICK LASABRE, THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER IS VERY UPSET WITH GM THAT THEY ONLY LAST 14 YEARS BEFORE RUSTING. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED GM NOR THE DEALERSHIP. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS ALL THAT THE CONSUMER KNOWS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM DURING HIS YEARLY INSPECTION. LAST YEAR THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION, AND THIS YEAR THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS. AND THIS FORCED THE CONSUMER TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .