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1989 Buick LesabreProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1989 Buick Lesabre, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

87
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years85% below the Lesabre median · #18 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints275 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 2, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Buick Lesabre has problems

27 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
Vehicle speed control41
Seat belts41
Fuel system, gasoline41
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Tires31
Visibility20
Engine and engine cooling21
Power train20
Steering20
3 other systems40

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

2 recalls

1989 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

Structure: frame and members

Recall 89V-188 · Nov 7, 1989 · 6 vehicles

Risk. INCREASED DEFORMATION OF THE LEFT REAR ROCKER PANELCAN CAUSE THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE NOT TO ACHIEVE THE LOAD REQUIREDBY FMVSS NO.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Recall 88V-143 · Aug 29, 1988 · 1,655 vehicles

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…

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

1989 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
In owners' words

What Lesabre owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, APPLIED BRAKE AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, RESULTING IN WAPED/BENT FRONT BRAKES. TT
Complaint 966160 · May 31, 1995
WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATER PEDAL SLIGHTLY VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT A HIGH SPEED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO, GEARSHIFT WENT INTO REVERSE AND MESSED UP THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND…
Complaint 852462 · Nov 3, 1999

Own a 1989 Lesabre?

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