The 1990 Buick LeSabre has 1 safety recall and 46 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (13 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints46filed by owners
Crashes · fires8 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths7 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 06E043000 · May 19, 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
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.
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.
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).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1990 Buick LeSabre 2-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
LeSabre
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Ignition; Ignition › Module
13
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
8
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Linkages; Accelerator pedal
7
5
0
3
—
Seat belts Front › Webbing; Front › Buckle assembly
6
2
0
3
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Cooling system
6
0
0
0
186,000 mi
Seats Front assembly › Power adjust; Front assembly › Recliner
5
1
0
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
5
0
0
0
—
Visibility Power window devices and controls; Windshield wiper/washer
4
0
0
0
—
Steering Hydraulic power assist system; Rack and pinion › Rack
4
0
0
0
—
Structure Body › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body
3
0
0
0
186,000 mi
Power train Axle assembly; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
2
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front; Rear
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 26, 2006 · 212,900 milesSeats › Front assembly › Power adjust THE FRONT MOUNTING BRACKET NEAREST TO THE DOOR, FOR THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT FRACTURED AROUND THE MOUNTING BOLT. THIS ALLOWED THE SEAT TO ROTATE BACKWARD. *JB
Feb 16, 2000 · 186,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift THIS ALL HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF THE PAST 5 YEARS, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS SITE WAS AVAILABLE, SO SUBMITTING NOW. *JB
Jul 20, 2004 · 165,000 milesEngine and engine cooling WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING THERE IS A CONSTANT SOUND OF AIR ESCAPING. THERE IS AN ANTICIPATION OF THE VEHICLE BACK FIRING AT ALL TIMES. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND USE TWICE AS MUCH FUEL.*AK
Mar 12, 2004 · 179,000 milesSteering › Column I HAVE A 1990 BUICK LESABRE THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH TILT WHEEL. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE...I HAD NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. ANYWAY, I THOUGHT "WELL, THE CAR IS JUST AGING" AND DIDN'T THINK TO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL YESTERDAY. MY SON WAS CLIMBING ACROSS THE DRIVERS SEAT AND ACCIDENTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR. WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER WE GOT THE CAR STOPPED, I DISCOVERED THAT EVEN WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE CAR CAN BE PLACED IN ANY GEAR WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE OLD POWERGLIDES THAT…
Dec 20, 2003 · 45,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings THE BRAKES ON A 1990 BUICK LESABRE FAILED IN THE DEALER LOT WHEN I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR. THEY ASSURED ME THEY WOULD REPAIR THE BRAKES AND CALL ME WHEN THE CAR WAS READY FOR SALE. AFTER THE REPAIR, I PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKES SOON FAILED AGAIN. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE WITH COMPRESSION FITTINGS INSTEAD OF HIGH-PRESSURE INVERTED-FLARE HYDRAULIC FITTINGS. I SUSPECT THIS WAS UNLAWFUL. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, AND THE AGENT I TALKED TO DOESN'T SEEM TO COMPREHEND THAT THE USE OF COMPRESSION FITTINGS IN A BRAKE LINE IS UNLAWFUL, AND TRIVIALIZES MY CONCERNS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR "AS-IS".*AK
Jan 15, 2003 · crashVehicle speed control WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *NLM
Feb 28, 2003 · crash · 1 injuryVehicle speed control VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CROSSED A ROADWAY, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. *AK
Mar 15, 1992Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer NO SUMMARY. DT
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE92039 · opened Apr 15, 1992 · closed Aug 14, 1992BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION There is no summary currently available