1986 Buick LeSabre problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 1986 Buick LeSabre — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other LeSabre years?

LeSabre NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LeSabre years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Buick LeSabre problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	7	35%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	3	15%	▲ up
Steering	2	10%	new
Seat Belts	2	10%	▲ up
Brakes	2	10%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	1	5%	new
Other	1	5%	— flat
Speed Control	1	5%	— flat
Transmission	1	5%	new

Does the 1986 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

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.

Consequence

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).

89V102000Speed ControlJune 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 units

Defect

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Consequence

SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

86V131000LightingSeptember 19, 1986 · 106,111 units

Defect

THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I HAD TAKEN MY USED CAR TO TODDS TOWING AT 3867 HIGHWAY 87 REIDSVILLE NC 27320 ON THE FOLLOWING DATES 11-20-2000, AGAIN THREE DAYS LATER 11-23-00 AND AGAIN ON 13-4-00. EACH TIME HE CLAIMED TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. I PAID 280.00, 218.00 AND $177.00. ALMOST $700.00 WITHIN A MONTHS TIME. FIVE DAYS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE INJURED IN ACCIDENT, THE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TRIUMP I TIRES, TUWSRS, DOT NUMBER 00061298 ONLY HAD…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 1, 1999 · crash

“THE MASTER CYLINDER KIT HAS FAILED ON 4 OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING, AS THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IT DID NOT WORK, THE DRIVER HAD TO DEPRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. NLM”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 1, 1990

“SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE. WHEN PUTTING THE LATCH IN IT, IT SLIPS RIGHT OUT. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY DON'T SELL THE PART ANYMORE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 23, 1995

1986 Buick LeSabre — common questions

Is the 1986 Buick LeSabre reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 LeSabre problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (7 complaints), tires & wheels (3 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints).

Does the 1986 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Buick LeSabre. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Buick LeSabre under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 11 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick LeSabre years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LeSabre years to avoid are 2000, 1998, 1997, 2001, 2002, 1999, 1993, 1992, 1995, 1994, 2004, 2003, 1996, 2005, 1990, 1987, 1991. The cleanest record among LeSabre years belongs to 1981.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1986 compare to other LeSabre years?

What are the most common 1986 Buick LeSabre problems?

Does the 1986 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1986 Buick LeSabre — common questions

Is the 1986 Buick LeSabre reliable?

What are the most common 1986 LeSabre problems?

Does the 1986 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Is the 1986 Buick LeSabre under NHTSA investigation?

Which Buick LeSabre years should you avoid?

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