1990 BUICK LeSabre Problems

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Premium Report

Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 complaints

A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN TO A REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.*AK

Aug 07, 2002

COMPUTER REPLACED.

Oct 15, 1996

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. *DH

Jul 30, 1996

INTERMITTENT STALLING (OTHER VEHICLE ON 468583). *AK

Aug 25, 1995

COMPUTER COMMAND MODULE SHUTS OFF FUEL INJECTION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *DSH

Jul 26, 1995

+ 4 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 complaints

THE BRAKES ON A 1990 BUICK LESABRE FAILED IN THE DEALER LOT WHEN I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR. THEY ASSURED ME THEY WOULD REPAIR THE BRAKES AND CALL ME WHEN THE CAR WAS READY FOR SALE. AFTER THE REPAIR, I PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKES SOON FAILED AGAIN. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE WITH COMPRESSION FITTINGS INSTEAD OF HIGH-PRESSURE INVERTED-FLARE HYDRAULIC FITTINGS. I SUSPECT THIS WAS UNLAWFUL. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, AND THE AGENT I TALKED TO DOESN'T SEEM TO COMPREHEND THAT THE USE OF COMPRESSION FITTINGS IN A BRAKE LINE IS UNLAWFUL, AND TRIVIALIZES MY CONCERNS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR "AS-IS".*AK

Jan 21, 2004

THE ABS POWER BRAKE RELAY FAILED DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION AND I PAID TO REPLACE IT.ZIMBRICK MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL COULD NOT FIND SOURCE OF INTERMITTANT BRAKE PROBLEM UNTIL I BROUGHT THE CAR IN WHILE THE BRAKE RELAY WAS MALFUNCTIONING. IT WAS STUCK AND CONTINUED TO BUZZ EVEN AFTER THE IGNITION HAD BEEN SWITCHED OFF. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED IN OCTOBER 1997. MY WIFE WAS IN COTTAGE GROVE AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES AT STARTUP. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO MADISON AND THE BRAKE RELAY WAS REPLACED AGAIN. IN THE FALL OF 1998, I EXPERIENCED NO POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES DURING A DRIVE IN THE POURING RAIN. I HAD ALMOST NO EFFECTIVE BRAKES, BUT DROVE CAREFULLY AND PARKED THE CAR OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING THE BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. I SPENT ABOUT $900 ON BRAKE WORK AT ZIMBRICK'S IN APRIL OF 1999, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PINPOINT THE SOURCE OF THE BRAKE PROBLEM. THE NEXT FAILURE HAPPENED MAY 28, 1999 WHILE MY WIFE'S DAD WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO EAU CLAIRE, WI. THE CAR HAD NO POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM DURING THE LATTER PART OF THE DRIVE (AFTER STOPPING FOR GAS). THE NEXT MORNING THE BRAKES WERE OPERATING NORMALLY AND HE DROVE THE CAR TO THE CABIN ON LAKE NANCY. ONE DAY, ABOUT A MONTH LATER (THE CAR WAS DRIVEN INFREQUENTLY DURING THE SUMMER - ABOUT TWICE PER WEEK), THE BRAKE PROBLEM REAPPEARED FOR ONE DRIVING EPISODE AND THE NEXT DRIVE THE BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. BECAUSE OF THE INTERMITTANT PROBLEM, THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT ZIMBRICK HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PERMANANTLY FIX THE BRAKE PROBLEM. AND THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODES DO NOT REGISTER ANY INFORMATION.

Oct 26, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. *AK

Sep 14, 1999

WHILE DRIVING THEB RAKES INTERMENTLY LOCK UP .THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. *AK

Sep 14, 1999

ABS BRAKES FAILED, AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Nov 26, 1996

+ 3 more complaints for this component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

7 complaints

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *NLM

May 02, 2003

Crash: 1

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CROSSED A ROADWAY, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. *AK

Mar 05, 2003

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND FORCED VEHICLE TO HIT A PHONE POLE, DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

Dec 28, 2001

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

HAD STARTED VEHICLE & SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK UP WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO HIT PART OF GARAGE & KNOCKED THE CHROME OFF VEHICLE. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *AK

Dec 10, 1999

Crash: 1

VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DH

Jul 30, 1996

Crash: 1

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SEAT BELTS

6 complaints

PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT LAB BELT FAILED DURING AN ACCIDENT, DAUGHTER WAS THROWN OUT OF VEHICLE AND KILLED, THREE OTHER PASSENGER'S WERE INJURED.

Sep 12, 1998

Injuries: 3

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED A VEHICLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET TRYING TO PASS THE FIRST VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS HIT HEAD-ON, CAUSING A CRASH. SHOULDER RESTRAINTS FAILED TO WORK ,LEADING TO INJURIES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

Oct 09, 1997

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

WHEN TRYING TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT FROM THE BELT BUCKLE, THE RED RELEASE BUTTON BROKE. *AK

Nov 19, 1996

SEAT BELT LATCH DEFECTIVE.

Jun 17, 1996

HAD AN ACCIDENT, LAP BELT HELD, BUT SHOULDER BELT DID NOT. TT

Dec 27, 1995

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 complaints

WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING THERE IS A CONSTANT SOUND OF AIR ESCAPING. THERE IS AN ANTICIPATION OF THE VEHICLE BACK FIRING AT ALL TIMES. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND USE TWICE AS MUCH FUEL.*AK

Aug 02, 2004

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY NORMAL SPEED/ LOW SPEED VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Dec 23, 1999

ENGINE: GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK.

Jun 17, 1998

ENGINE BLEW UP, CAUSING STARTER TO FALL OFF. *SD

Mar 18, 1996

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

4 complaints

FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER.(2ND VEHICLE ON 601867)

Nov 05, 1996

FAILURE OF THE GAS TANK, GAS IS LEAKING AROUND THE FILLER NECK. *AK

May 30, 1996

THE FUEL TANK IS DAMAGED FROM THE ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

Apr 17, 1996

RATTLE IN GAS TANK DUE TO LOOSE BAFFLE. *AK

Jun 28, 1995

SEATS

3 complaints

THE FRONT MOUNTING BRACKET NEAREST TO THE DOOR, FOR THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT FRACTURED AROUND THE MOUNTING BOLT. THIS ALLOWED THE SEAT TO ROTATE BACKWARD. *JB

Oct 30, 2006

WHEN INVOLVED IN A REAR-END CRASH THE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE, CAUSING NECK AND BACK INJUIRES TO THE DRIVER. SEAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. VEHICLE IS AT REPAIR SHOP.

Apr 10, 1997

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

BACK REST HINGE NOT LOCKED INTO POSITION; BACK REST MOVES BACKWARD/FORWARD IN A RECLINING POSITION. TT

May 03, 1995

STEERING

3 complaints

I HAVE A 1990 BUICK LESABRE THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH TILT WHEEL. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE...I HAD NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. ANYWAY, I THOUGHT "WELL, THE CAR IS JUST AGING" AND DIDN'T THINK TO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL YESTERDAY. MY SON WAS CLIMBING ACROSS THE DRIVERS SEAT AND ACCIDENTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR. WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER WE GOT THE CAR STOPPED, I DISCOVERED THAT EVEN WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE CAR CAN BE PLACED IN ANY GEAR WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE OLD POWERGLIDES THAT WOULD DO THE SAME. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN TO SOMEONE ELSE IS VERY LIKELY. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT SUDDENLY STARTED TO DO THIS. THANK YOU.*AK

Mar 13, 2004

THE STEERING RACK MAKES VEHICLE PULL AGAINST WHEEL CAUSING CAR TO LOSE CONTROL. *AL

Jun 14, 1996

LOSS OF POWER STEERING,. *AK

Jul 13, 1995

TIRES

3 complaints

FIRESTONE FR680 TIRES P205/70R14 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WITH LESS THAN 10000 MILES ON THEM, VEHICLE DROVE ROUGH AND DEALER INSPECTED TIRES INNER TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM SIDEWALL. *SLC

Jan 04, 2001

POOR TRACTION OF FIRE HAWK TIRES CAUSED ACCIDENT.

Mar 06, 1997

DEFECTIVE UNIROYAL TIGER PAW TIRES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *AW

Apr 01, 1995

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

NO SUMMARY. DT

Nov 02, 2002

POWER WINDOWS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO GO UP.

Mar 07, 1995

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

REAR STRUTS REPLACED.

Oct 21, 1996

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS OF VIBRATIONS OF WHEEL AND SHUTTERING OF FLOOR BOARDS. CONSTANT DURING DRIVING ON HIGHWAY . TT

Nov 03, 1995

EQUIPMENT

2 complaints

AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS FREON/BLOWS WARM AIR. *DSH

Nov 09, 1995

AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS FREON/BLOWS WARM AIR. *DSH

Nov 09, 1995

STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,WHEELS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

THIS ALL HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF THE PAST 5 YEARS, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS SITE WAS AVAILABLE, SO SUBMITTING NOW. *JB

Sep 05, 2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, SUDDENLY VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED IGNITION COIL.*AK

Aug 22, 2001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF ALL POWER. ALSO, DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP RED. PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK THE PROBLEM HAPPENED TWICE, AND THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE IGNITION COILS. *YH

Apr 11, 2001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. HE HAS TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO START VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOESN'T WORK, THE RETRACTOR IS NOT OPERABLE. *AK THE RESTRAINT MECHANISM FAILED AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH. *YH

Sep 28, 2000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,SEATS

1 complaint

THE INERTIA SWITCH DOES NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Nov 15, 1999

INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO COME ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED.

Mar 07, 1995

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

TRANSAXLE FAILED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP/LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD

Jan 02, 1995

4.2/5.0

53 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1990 BUICK LeSabre have?

The 1990 BUICK LeSabre currently has 60 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1990 BUICK LeSabre?

The most common problems reported for the 1990 BUICK LeSabre are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1990 BUICK LeSabre problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1990 BUICK LeSabre comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.