Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

1989 Buick Lesabre Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 1989 Buick Lesabre with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (5) and the fuel system (4). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in May 2006 for the fuel system, gasoline. For comparison, the 1988 has 21 and the 1990 has 50.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Lesabre year, for its age

#48 most complained-about 1989 vehicle

Complaints
29
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 1989 Buick Lesabre problems

Share of all 29 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1989 Buick Lesabre recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Fuel system

06E04300088,303 vehicles affected

The problem
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 fix
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).

Structure: frame and members

89V1880006 vehicles affected

The problem
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 fix
INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT KIT.

Fuel system: storage

88V1430001,655 vehicles affected

The problem
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 fix
REPLACE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY.

What owners say

Be the first Lesabre owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

29 complaints about the 1989 Buick Lesabre

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Wheels & tires

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

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10229488
BrakesFuel system

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

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10187555
Engine & coolingFire

1989 Buick lesabre engine compartment caught on fire. *Ts *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10157309
Wheels & tires

Treads separated on two front tires after only 14,582 miles. *Ak

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 764787
Transmission & drivetrain

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

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 8006526
Fuel system

Fuel line is leaking fuel due to corrosion. Please give any further details.*Ak

Filed Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 871930
Other & unknown

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Unknown or otherNHTSA 727811
Wheels & tiresCrash

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

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 860221
BrakesTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise control

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 vehicles still idles high on occasion. *Ak

Filed Service brakes, hydraulic · Power train · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 852462
Visibility & wipers

Right front door window shattered for no apparent reason. (Ohio traffic crash report). Mjs

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 548231
Equipment & accessories

They have sprayed and deodorized 5 ti and odor comes back after several weeks,i've been to dr. About four times with sinus and ear infections and head stops up when a/c comes on. Parkway says they can't treat car any more as warranty is out after 1 year. The last time they said they opened drain holes but still odor has come back and I see very little water drainage from a/c

Filed EquipmentNHTSA 708754
Steering

Power steering malfunctioned,causing vehicle to fishtail almost lost control of vehicle. Dealer realigned the steering system. *Ak

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 836465
Body, doors & structure

Intermittently front driver's and passenger's doors do not open. Manual locks are up at the time. *Ak

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 828537
Steering

STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE/JIGGLES.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 535931
Acceleration & cruise control

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. MJS

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 605472
Visibility & wipers

Consumer states that she was driving 50 mph when the rear power window on the driver's side exploded. *Ak

Filed VisibilityNHTSA 804057
Electrical system

While driving, at approx. 30Mph, experienced engine shut down, for no apparent reason. *Ak

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 986444
Engine & cooling

FREEZE PLUGS FAILED THREE TIMES. *DSH

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 502274
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

When vehicle was standing still the accelerator went to full throttle and caused accident. Please describe details. Tt

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 979201
Fuel systemFire

While driving, noticed smoke, then flames coming from dash, result vehicle caught fire, for no apparent reason. Tt

Filed Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 979187
Seats & seat belts

The driver seat belt buckle doesn't lock. Please describe. Tt

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 976690
Seats & seat belts1 injury

Shoulder belt failed to secure driver, causing injury during accident. *Sd

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 500185
Electrical system

Vehicle stalls out at low speed, replaced air intake valve control kit, to no avail, now dealer saying there is no problem. Tt

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 975730
Fuel system

The fuel broke while driving the car and caused spillage of gasoline. Please explain. Tt

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 966843
Acceleration & cruise control

Cruise control activated, applied brake and cruise control would not disengage, vehicle lurched forward, resulting in waped/bent front brakes. Tt

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 966160

Buick Lesabre: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
199319811322BrakesF
199219221923BrakesF
199130113Electrical systemC
199050190Seats & seat beltsF
198929322Seats & seat beltsC
198821400SteeringB
198744532SteeringD
198618310Engine & coolingB
19855100BrakesA
All Lesabre years

1989 Buick Lesabre vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Own a 1989 Buick Lesabre? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 1989 Buick Lesabre

Does the 1989 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1989 Buick Lesabre: fuel system, gasoline (May 2006); frame and members (November 1989); storage (August 1988). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Buick Lesabre?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (5), fuel system (4), acceleration & cruise control (4).

How many complaints has the 1989 Buick Lesabre had?

29 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 9, 1994 and the latest on June 2, 2008. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 1989 Buick Lesabre a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 49 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Buick Lesabre year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Buick Lesabre years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1989 Buick Lesabre has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience