MYRModel Year Report

1986 Buick Lesabre

○ Not enough data
1986 Buick Lesabre
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:25:49.781Z

Only 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
16

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
11

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 5 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 16 1987: 44 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 47 complaints 1991: 30 complaints 1991 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 196 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 178 complaints 1996: 98 complaints 1997: 394 complaints 1997 1998: 400 complaints 1999: 209 complaints 2000: 669 complaints 2000 2001: 328 complaints 2002: 310 complaints 2003: 164 complaints 2003 2004: 162 complaints 2005: 77 complaints 2006: 3 complaints 2006
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 5 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 16 1987: 44 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 47 complaints 1990 1991: 30 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1992 1993: 196 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 178 complaints 1996: 98 complaints 1996 1997: 394 complaints 1998: 400 complaints 1998 1999: 209 complaints 2000: 669 complaints 2000 2001: 328 complaints 2002: 310 complaints 2002 2003: 164 complaints 2004: 162 complaints 2004 2005: 77 complaints 2006: 3 complaints 2006
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 5 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1986 16 1987: 44 complaints 1987 1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 27 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1990 1991: 30 complaints 1991 1992: 191 complaints 1992 1993: 196 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 178 complaints 1995 1996: 98 complaints 1996 1997: 394 complaints 1997 1998: 400 complaints 1998 1999: 209 complaints 1999 2000: 669 complaints 2000 2001: 328 complaints 2001 2002: 310 complaints 2002 2003: 164 complaints 2003 2004: 162 complaints 2004 2005: 77 complaints 2005 2006: 3 complaints 2006

1986: 16 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19810
19821
19831
19845
19855
198616
198744
198821
198927
199047
199130
1992191
1993196
1994168
1995178
199698
1997394
1998400
1999209
2000669
2001328
2002310
2003164
2004162
200577
20063

Known problem areas

Only 16 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Engine and engine cooling

6 of 16 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Show complaint excerpts

Harmonic balancer caused engine vibration and the vehicle to surge. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-14

Tires

2 of 16 total reports mention: tires, most commonly citing tread/belt.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-08-17

Seat belts

2 of 16 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly.

Steering

2 of 16 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and column.

Service brakes

2 of 16 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 11 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1986-05-15Exterior lighting86V131000 The push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out.

    Remedy: Replace headlight switch as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1987-07-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-01-28 Hydroboost failure
  3. I
    1987-08-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1987-11-30 Throttle system failure
  4. I
    1987-08-27Engineering analysisClosed 1991-11-27 Stalling
  5. I
    1988-01-28Engineering analysisClosed 1990-10-31 Hydro boost
  6. I
    1988-09-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-02-09 Power steering hose
  7. I
    1989-03-06CClosed 1990-01-16 Throttle non-return
  8. I
    1989-03-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-17 Anti lock brakes
  9. I
    1989-03-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-28 Rear brake pin
  10. R
    1989-07-20Vehicle speed control89V102000 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).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    1989-07-28Engineering analysisClosed 1990-07-27 Rear brake pin
  12. I
    1989-09-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-03-26 Brake failure
  13. I
    1990-03-26Engineering analysisClosed 1991-04-22 Brake failure
  14. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Buick Lesabre — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V131000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 89V102000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

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Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 Buick Lesabre reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Buick Lesabre?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Buick Lesabre have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.