1991 Buick Lesabre

Routine

Owners filed 30 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › ignition. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Ignition4
000
Tires2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components2
103
Seats2
010
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline2
010
Electrical System › Ignition › Module2
000
Structure › Frame and Members1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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).

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires
Filed May 14, 200996,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR COOPER FUTURA 2000 RADIAL LTE TIRES, SIZE P2-05/70R14 (NA). IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY AS IF AN ALIGNMENT WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND, AS A RESULT, TWO BOLTS DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT REPLACED THREE OF THE FAILURE TIRES AND NOW HAVE ONE MORE TO REPLACE. HE FEELS THAT THE BUMPS IN THE TIRES ARE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, BUT YET THEY CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE A SHAKE/WOBBLE IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/18/09*JB

SeatsFire
Filed Nov 20, 200857,343 milesCT

MY DAUGHTER TURNED ON THE CAR AND MOVED THE DRIVER'S SEAT FORWARD. SHE SMELLED SMOKE AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE COMPUTER AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Feb 23, 2008TX

AN ILLEGAL INSPECTION WAS DONE ON ONE OF MY VEHICLES -USING ANOTHER CAR AT THIS LOCATION, PUTTING IN INFORMATION ON MY VEHICLE & PASSING SAID VEHICLE AS BEING LEGAL TO DRIVE & PROPERLY INSPECTED-I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT THIS LOCATION DOES THESE TYPES OF INSPECTIONS QUITE FREQUENTLY. THE OWNER PAYS HIS EMPLOYEES UNDER THE TABLE TO KEEP THEM OUT OF TROUBLE WITH CHILD SUPPORT-HE LIES ABOUT EARNED WAGES-AND RUMOR HAS IT THAT THE ENTIRE SHOP IS EITHER HIGH ON CRACK, COCAINE OR MARIJUANA-THEY ARE HEAVY DRINKERS THAT FREQUENT THE BAR RIGHT NEXT DOOR-GARY'S SPOT-THE OWNER (NABIL) HAS ALL OF HIS FRIENDS COME IN FOR THESE INSPECTIONS-SOMETIMES THEY CHARGE THEM -SOMETIMES NOT. I REALLY THINK THIS LOCATION NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED & DRUG TESTED. I PAY GOOD HARD EARNED MONEY FOR MY THINGS-AND I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA THAT THESE FOREIGNERS CAN COME OVER HERE & DO AS THEY PLEASE. *TR

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Feb 23, 200690,600 milesOR

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH HAS FAILED, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 5, 2005172,000 milesNY

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS 1991 BUICK LASABRE, THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER IS VERY UPSET WITH GM THAT THEY ONLY LAST 14 YEARS BEFORE RUSTING. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED GM NOR THE DEALERSHIP. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS ALL THAT THE CONSUMER KNOWS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM DURING HIS YEARLY INSPECTION. LAST YEAR THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION, AND THIS YEAR THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS. AND THIS FORCED THE CONSUMER TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK *NM

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Jul 2, 2003OH

VEHICLE FIRE AFTER FUEL RAN OUT OF VEHICLE. NAR 07/02/2003.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF GAS. THE CONSUMER FIGURED THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK SINCE HE HAD FILLED THE VEHICLE UP THE DAY BEFORE. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 16, 2000FL

IGNITION COIL MODULE SHORTED OUT BURNING SPARK PLUG WIRES. *MJS

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Mar 6, 2000NY

I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING WHEEL JOIN. I BELIEVE BUICK SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE THIS CAN LEAD TO A FIRE INSIDE THE CAR. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 18, 1999AL

TRANSMISSION WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY DURING MANUFACTURING (2-3 ACCUMULATOR FEED CHECK BALL HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY PLACED DURING ASSEMBLY) , RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.

Seats
Filed Jan 11, 1999NY

THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKET SEAT COLLAPSED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER SAID THE SPOT WELDS LET GO OFF THE SEAT. *AK *ML

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 2, 1998NJ

VEHICLE HAS ABS BRAKES. BRAKES PULSATE WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED.VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ONWER VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 14, 1997NY

IGNITION COIL AND COMPUTER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jun 26, 1997CA

DURING DECELERATION NO RESPONSE FROM BRAKING SYSTEM. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. CONSEQUENCE: DESTRUCTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed May 28, 1997NJ

THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED.

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 30, 1997IN

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE LACK OF SAFETY OF DOOR MOUNTED SEATBELTS.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Apr 28, 1997MN

WHILE STARTING CAR THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE THE CAR WAS A COMPLETE TOTALED. *AK

Parking Brake › Conventional
Filed Mar 20, 1997IA

MOSTLY ON A GRADE FACING UPWARD OR DOWNWARD THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE RELEASES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENS ON LEVEL GROUND ALSO. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 25, 1996OH

GASOLINE LEAKS WHERE IT ENTERS INTO FUEL TANK, DISSOLVES IN UNERCOATING, CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK ONTO FLOOR OF GARAGE, FIRE POTENTIAL. *AK FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jul 26, 1996TX

FUEL TANK REPLACED DUE TO LOOSE BAFFLE.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jun 11, 1996AZ

DRIVING VEHICLE, WHEN COMING TO A STOP, VEHICLE JUST STALLS AND DIES OUT, TAKES A WHILE TO START UP, DAILY, LAST OCCURRED AT INTERSECTION OF BUSY HWY. *AK

20 of 30 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20063000Routine
200577030Routine
2004162050Routine
2003164140Routine
20023102120Above average
20013280220High concern
20006695300High concern
19992092202Fatalities reported
19984001430High concern
19973942311Fatalities reported
199698200Routine
1995178130Routine
1994158060Routine
19931941210High concern
19921892230High concern
1991 — this page30130Routine
199046100Routine

Compare every Lesabre year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.