MYRModel Year Report

1988 Buick Lesabre

○ Not enough data
1988 Buick Lesabre
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:55.012Z

Only 21 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 21 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
21

Too few to rank

Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 5 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1987: 44 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1988 21 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 1987: 44 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1988 21 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 1987: 44 complaints 1987 1988: 21 complaints 1988 21 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

1988: 21 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 21 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Steering

12 of 21 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

Show complaint excerpts

The steering has been hard since day one and consumer has been patching up vehicle to keep it running. The consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the manufacturer made an aluminum rod for that year vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-12

Steering stiffness during morning startup. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-19

Rack and pinion steering failed, causing loss of steering control.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-07

Seat belts

3 of 21 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 1988 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that all of the seat belts failed to engage. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The VIN and engine size were unknown.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-09-27

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 21 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

Electrical system

2 of 21 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing ignition and alternator/generator/regulator.

Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle stalls out at any speed and when coming to stops, replace control module to no avail. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-27

Tires

1 of 21 total reports mentions: tires, most commonly citing tread/belt.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1988-02-03Seat belts88V006000 Owners manual did not include instructions on proper usage of rear seat safety belt systems.

    Remedy: Furnish owners with updated owners manuals that contain the omitted instructions.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1988-05-13Service brakes, air88V067000 Low torque of the brake hydraulic unit mounting bolts could cause increased brake pedal travel and/or poor pedal feel if attachment loosens.

    Remedy: Replace hydraulic unit mounting bolts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1989-03-06CClosed 1990-01-16 Throttle non-return
  4. I
    1989-03-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-17 Anti lock brakes
  5. 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 →

  6. I
    1990-03-26Engineering analysisClosed 1991-04-22 Brake failure
  7. 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

1988 Buick Lesabre — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V006000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 88V067000 · Service brakes, air
  • Recall 89V102000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 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 1988 Buick Lesabre?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 57% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Buick Lesabre have?
4 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.