1986 Buick Lesabre Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Buick Lesabre (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1986 Buick Lesabre. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and seat belts (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
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.
- Engine cooling6 38%
- Brakes2 13%
- Seat belts2 13%
- Steering2 13%
- Tires2 13%
- Other or unknown1 6.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 6.3%
- Wheels1 6.3%
Example complaints
Brakes: “The master cylinder kit has failed on 4 occasions without warning, as the driver stepped on the brake it did not work, the driver had to depress the emergency brake and shift the vehicle into park to get it to stop. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #562162, filed 1996-01Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 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 FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| LeSabre FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 20 | $3,350 |
| LeSabre/Electra Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
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).
- 86V131000Sep 19, 1986Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Buick Lesabre 1986, Chevrolet Cavalier 1986, Pontiac 6000 1986 +30 more
The push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving…
Recall details for the 1986 Buick Lesabre → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA90017BRAKE FAILUREClosed · Mar 26, 1990
- PE89101REAR BRAKE PINClosed · Mar 15, 1989
- C89001Throttle non-returnClosed · Mar 6, 1989
- PE88107Power steering hoseClosed · Sep 22, 1988
- PE87041Throttle system failureClosed · Aug 4, 1987
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 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 1986 Buick Lesabre have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1986 Buick Lesabre as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Buick Lesabre is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1986 Buick Lesabre been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Buick Lesabre get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Buick Lesabre (LeSabre, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 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 28, 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.