1985 Buick Lesabre Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Buick Lesabre (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1985 Buick Lesabre. The part named most often is brakes, with 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and other or unknown (1). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes1 20%
- Engine cooling1 20%
- Other or unknown1 20%
- Tires1 20%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “The vehicle speedometer read 10 miles per hour over the vehicle actual speed. The consumer received a warning from a police off who indicated that the consumer was traveling 10 miles over the 45 MPH speed limit. The consumer also wanted to know how to get better gas mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #10027272, filed 2003-07Tires: “Lost tread on two (2) firestone fr 440 tires. Right rear tread peeled on 7 apr 2000 and left rear tread peeled on 08 jul 2000. 1st happened near atlanta, 2nd in north fl. Speed was approx 70 MPH both times. Firestone prorated and replaced both. ( DOT number: tire size: p215/70r )”
NHTSA complaint #727487, filed 2000-08Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Buick Lesabre version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeSabre RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| LeSabre RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| LeSabre/Electra Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| LeSabre/Electra Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| LeSabre RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $4,550 |
| LeSabre/Electra Wagon RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V102000Jun 16, 1989Vehicle speed controlCovers: Buick Lesabre 1984–1988, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1984–1988, Custom Cruiser 1984–1988 +15 more
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).
Recall details for the 1985 Buick Lesabre → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- C89001Throttle non-returnClosed · Mar 6, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Buick Lesabre.
Other model years of the Buick Lesabre
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 77 | 52,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 162 | 63,450 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 164 | 50,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 310 | 60,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 328 | 61,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 669 | 59,515 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 209 | 73,353 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 400 | 69,100 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1997 | 394 | 97,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 98 | 92,500 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 178 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 158 | 101,261 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 194 | 109,714 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 189 | 130,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 30 | 93,300 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 46 | 179,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 27 | 101,500 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 21 | 54,122 | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 40 | — | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 16 | — | 2 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Lesabre model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Buick Lesabre have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1985 Buick Lesabre as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Buick Lesabre is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.
Has the 1985 Buick Lesabre been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Buick Lesabre get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Buick Lesabre (LeSabre, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.