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1986 Buick LesabreProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 1986 Buick Lesabre, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints162 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem6Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 17, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Buick Lesabre has problems

16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling60
Seat belts20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Steering20
Tires21
Power train10
Vehicle speed control10
Visibility10
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1986 Buick Lesabre recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 89V-102 · Jun 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 vehicles

Risk. SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Lesabre year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lesabre median. How we score

'67'70'71'72'74'75'76'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
11 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Buick Lesabre, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. STALLINGEA87022 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  3. HYDRO BOOSTEA88019 · closed Oct 31, 1990
    No recall
  4. REAR BRAKE PINEA89028 · closed Jul 27, 1990
    No recall
  5. BRAKE FAILUREEA90017 · closed Apr 22, 1991
    No recall
  6. HYDROBOOST FAILUREPE87038 · closed Jan 28, 1988
    No recall
  7. THROTTLE SYSTEM FAILUREPE87041 · closed Nov 30, 1987
    No recall
  8. POWER STEERING HOSEPE88107 · closed Feb 9, 1989
    No recall
  9. ANTI LOCK BRAKESPE89098 · closed May 17, 1989
    No recall
  10. REAR BRAKE PINPE89101 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    No recall
  11. BRAKE FAILUREPE89171 · closed Mar 26, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Lesabre owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 738643 · Jan 2, 2001

Own a 1986 Lesabre?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.