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 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Buick LeSabre, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 26% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 14% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 7% |
| Seats | 2 | 5% |
| Power train | 2 | 5% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Structure | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 WOU
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 FI
NHTSA complaint: Seats
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH HAS FAILED, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 H
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 TH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
IGNITION COIL MODULE SHORTED OUT BURNING SPARK PLUG WIRES. *MJS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE STALLING CONTINUALLY FINAL REMEDY WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT. *MJS
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 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).
| 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 42 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 11 of them (26%). There is 1 recall 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 1991 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.