1987 Buick Lesabre
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Buick › Lesabre › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Buick Lesabre. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1987 Buick Lesabre. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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).
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).
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Low torque of the brake hydraulic unit mounting bolts could cause increased brake pedal travel and/or poor pedal feel if attachment loosens.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
An in line fusible link may melt down and cause a fire.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
40 complaints4 involved a crash2 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The vehicle stalled many times while the consumer was traveling and the dealer fixed the problem. However, the service engine soon came on right after each service and the vehicle would stall. *yh
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
This same component failed on a 1985 chevrolet celebrity at 135000 miles. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Engine stalled in traffic due to fuel injection failure. Yh
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Wheel column loose -- excessive play and steering wheel movement made steering difficult as wheel moved up and down and rocked at an angle to the left. dealer contacted and gm contacted--neither considered this a safety concern. when I hit my brakes my body would move forward toward the…
Wheel column loose -- excessive play and steering wheel movement made steering difficult as wheel moved up and down and rocked at an angle to the left. dealer contacted and gm contacted--neither considered this a safety concern. when I hit my brakes my body would move forward toward the windshield because the steering column was not secure. I was forced to cover 100% cost of the repair. the dealer had to drop the engine and put a new bolt at the bottom of the steering colum in the engine area. I was told it would never happen again. this was repaired in approximately 1996. about 18 months later, the steering column started to do the same thing, but to a lesser degree. because of my work schedule, transportation, etc. I have not been able to take the car back in to the dealer for a second repair. it has been approx. Three years since the first repair. fortunately it IS not as loose as the first time, but IS slowly getting sloppier. I honestly believe this could be a serious condition causing an automobile accident. additionally, the dealer told me that this IS a common problem in the 1987 buick. if this was truly the case, why did I have to incur the repair cost -- $189.00 to replace the bolt.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Frequent stalls--repaired with a new crank sensor unit.
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
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
- Structure › Body › Trunk lid
Opening the trunk lid the trunk pops up very hard, almost causing the owner to get hurt. owner says that this IS a safety defect. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
When vehicle has been sitting for long periods & the temperature IS cold, the steering IS very stiff, requiring hands to turn the wheel. Then all of a sudden it breaks free. I've been told the steering rack needs to be replaced. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
While drving at 30 mph and without prior warning, upon trying to make a right turn the steering wheel will lock up, causing the consumer to pull the steering wheel real hard. whenever turning to the right the problem still IS there. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving the vehicle will stall unexpectedly which may result in an accident. been to 4 different dealers, cannot determine problem. replaced different parts, but the problem still exists. cause unknown. please provide further details. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering wheel and column locked up causing vehicle roll over.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
Fuel injectors failed, causing fuel leak/gas fumes to enter vehicle.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Smoke came from under the dash then flames were noticed coming from floor board. vehicle burned with two explosions.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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.
- Visibility › Windshield
Windshield seal IS not secure.
- Vehicle speed control
Owner states while driving vehicle at 30 to 40 mph ,without warning, the vehicle's speed increased, causing owner to run into a field and into a creek.the cruise control IS in question. *ak
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
'Cold power steering.'
- Vehicle speed control
Failure of the throttle control, the consumer was pulling out from a parking space and placed the vehicle from park to reverse and the vehicle accelerated, causing the consumer to have an accident. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Transmission failed. (Other vehicles on 601619,506065)
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
In the winter months the steering wheel becomes hard to turn. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Brakes fail every 8-10000 miles, and master cylinder has failed three times.
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
'Cold power steering'. *Dh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Intermittent stalling.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Shoulder belt will not retract. *Dh
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
Power steering does not operate when it's cold. Please describe details. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake failure
There is no summary currently available
- Brake failure
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- Rear brake pin
Summary:these vehicles have rear drum brakes.the parking lever pivotpin IS held by an e ring.when the ring fails, parts of the ring andpin fall loose into the drum and may jam the brake, locking the wheel.a stronger e ring IS used in 1988 and newer cars.this investigationhas been expanded to include gms c body cars listed above (e ring commonto all cars shown).===
- Rear brake pin
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- Anti lock brakes
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- Throttle non-return
There is no summary currently available
- Instrmnt light on windshld
There is no summary currently available
- Stalling
Summary:the complaints allege that stalling IS due to various faultycomponents of the fuel injection and/or ignition system. The followingmodels are involved:buick electra, lesabre, rivera, century; olds cutlassciera, 88, 98, toronado; pontiac bonneville.status:this investigation IS ongoing.we are continuing to…
Summary:the complaints allege that stalling IS due to various faultycomponents of the fuel injection and/or ignition system. The followingmodels are involved:buick electra, lesabre, rivera, century; olds cutlassciera, 88, 98, toronado; pontiac bonneville.status:this investigation IS ongoing.we are continuing to analyzeinformation provided by gm and are preparing an additional informationrequest to gm to clarify certain technical items.===
- Throttle system failure
Summary of information from manufacturer:gm reported knowledge of 137owner complaints, 317 field reports, and 2 lawsuits, in addition to thereports received directly by the nhtsa.the reports received by gm citethe occurrence of 263 accidents,including 77 injury accidents, 100 injuriesand 1 fatality.several possible…
Summary of information from manufacturer:gm reported knowledge of 137owner complaints, 317 field reports, and 2 lawsuits, in addition to thereports received directly by the nhtsa.the reports received by gm citethe occurrence of 263 accidents,including 77 injury accidents, 100 injuriesand 1 fatality.several possible modes of throttle control system failure or malfunctionare under consideration in this pe, including self-actuation, failure todeactivate upon driver command, and throttle system sticking or binding.having evaluated the 456reports received directly and the 36 consumercomplaints submitted by nhtsa, gm indicated that no meaningful frequencyor mode of malfunction could be identified to suggest the existence of adefect which relates to motor vehicle safety.several design/manufacturing changes were identified as relevant to thesubject of this pe; however, no service bulletins or recall notificationshave been issued on throttle control system problems.analysis:during gm's compilation and evaluation of information requiredto respond to the nhtsa's request, indications were given to odi that thenumber of consumer and other reports clearly suggested the existence of asafety problem and that corrective action by the manufacturer were inorder.gm's formal letter response, however, retreated from this position.notwithstanding the incomplete analysis of information submitted to thenhtsa, the numbers of owner and field reports, together with clear datato show that throttle system failures have resulted in significant numbersof accidents and injuries, indicate that a more rigorous evaluation of thismatter IS in order.===
Every Buick Lesabre model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.