Total Complaints
46 filings
BUICK LESABRE · model year
1991 BUICK LESABRE
46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991BUICKLESABRE carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 LESABRE is electrical system:ignition with 5 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1991 LESABRE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
46
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 3 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20090514TIRES
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
Mileage: 96,000
20090514SUSPENSION
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
Mileage: 96,000
20081120FireSEATS
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
Mileage: 57,343
20080223ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
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
20080223ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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
20080223UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
20060223SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH HAS FAILED, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. *JB
Mileage: 90,600
20050715STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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
Mileage: 172,000
20041122FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
20000724ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION COIL MODULE SHORTED OUT BURNING SPARK PLUG WIRES. *MJS
20000724VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
VEHICLE STALLING CONTINUALLY FINAL REMEDY WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT. *MJS
20000724VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW MOTOR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. *MJS
20000306ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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
19990219POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY DURING MANUFACTURING (2-3 ACCUMULATOR FEED CHECK BALL HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY PLACED DURING ASSEMBLY) , RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.
19990112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION COIL AND COMPUTER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START.
19990112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
IGNITION COIL AND COMPUTER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START.
19990111SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKET SEAT COLLAPSED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER SAID THE SPOT WELDS LET GO OFF THE SEAT. *AK *ML
19980402SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
19971003SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE LACK OF SAFETY OF DOOR MOUNTED SEATBELTS.
19970627ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED.
Compare 1991BUICKLESABRE to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1991 BUICK LESABRE have?▼
The 1991 BUICK LESABRE has 46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 BUICK LESABRE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 BUICK LESABRE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1991 BUICK LESABRE safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.