VehicleVerdict

1987 Buick LeSabre problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 53 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median LeSabre year — the 1987 model ranks #16 of 36 LeSabre years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (28% of the total).

53

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

9

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other LeSabre years?

See all LeSabre years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Buick LeSabre problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1528%
Electrical System815%
Engine713%
Brakes48%
Fuel System48%
Seat Belts48%
Speed Control36%
Seats24%
Transmission24%
Body & Structure12%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Visibility & Wipers12%

Does the 1987 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

5 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.

88V067000BrakesApril 19, 1988 · 1,889 units

Defect

LOW TORQUE OF THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC UNIT MOUNTING BOLTS COULD CAUSE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND/OR POOR PEDAL FEEL IF ATTACHMENT LOOSENS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF BRAKEHYDRAULIC UNIT FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET AND RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTIONAND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE HYDRAULIC UNIT MOUNTING BOLTS.

87V135000Electrical SystemSeptember 1, 1987 · 479,715 units

Defect

AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Consequence

THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy

THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.

87V093000BrakesJune 23, 1987 · 6,004 units

Defect

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.

Consequence

LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.

Remedy

THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 40MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. WHEN VEHICLE FREED UP CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, CROSSING THE CENTER LINE, BRINGING VEHICLE BACK BEFORE RUNNING INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPING OVER ON TOP. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 17, 1998 · crash

T-TYPE DESIGN VEHICLE HAS HISTORY OF STALLING W/NO WARNING OF FAILURE. SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

VEHICLE STARTED WITH A CRACKLING SOUND, THEN A LIGHT WHITE SMOKE APPEARED. SMOKE CAME FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE DASBOAD AND TURNED TO A HEAVY DARK SMOKE. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH FIRE WHICH CAME THROUGH THE FLOORBOARDS.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 16, 1998 · fire

1987 Buick LeSabre — common questions

Is the 1987 Buick LeSabre reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 53 complaints put the 1987 model at #16 of 36 LeSabre years. It is one of the LeSabre years to avoid.

What are the most common 1987 LeSabre problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (15 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints).

Does the 1987 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Buick LeSabre. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Buick LeSabre under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 9 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.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.