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1988 Buick LesabreProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 1988 Buick Lesabre, most often about the steering. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints210 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem12Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 27, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Buick Lesabre has problems

21 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
Steering120
Seat belts30
Engine and engine cooling20
Electrical system20
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Structure10
Tires10

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

3 recalls

1988 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 →

–no report yet

Service brakes, air: antilock

Recall 88V-067 · Apr 19, 1988 · 1,889 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF BRAKEHYDRAULIC UNIT FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET AND RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTIONAND AN ACCIDENT.

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

1988 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Buick Lesabre, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. BRAKE FAILUREEA90017 · closed Apr 22, 1991
    No recall
  3. ANTI LOCK BRAKESPE89098 · closed May 17, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Lesabre owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE STEERING HAS BEEN HARD SINCE DAY ONE AND CONSUMER HAS BEEN PATCHING UP VEHICLE TO KEEP IT RUNNING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER MADE AN ALUMINUM ROD FOR THAT YEAR VEHICLE. IT IS RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK *CB *NLM
Complaint 10022982 · Jul 24, 2003
WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. THE MACHANIC SAID IT WAS A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Complaint 980847 · Mar 18, 1996
WHEN COLD THE CARS STEERING ABILITY IS DECREASED AND DOES NOT GO BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL IT IS WARMED UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Complaint 970459 · Aug 15, 1995

Own a 1988 Lesabre?

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