Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Buick LeSabre, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 11% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 11% |
| Tires | 3 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 8% |
| Steering | 3 | 8% |
| Visibility | 2 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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 L
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
1989 BUICK LESABRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TREADS SEPARATED ON TWO FRONT TIRES AFTER ONLY 14,582 MILES. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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 TRANSM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
FUEL LINE IS LEAKING FUEL DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1989 Buick LeSabre. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 CE
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).
VEHICLES MAY HAVE DISCREPANT WELDS IN THE LEFT REAR ROCKER PANEL WHICH CAN CAUSE DEFORMATION OF THE PANEL.
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.
Fix: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT KIT.
FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
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.
Fix: REPLACE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 4 of them (11%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1989 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.