1990 Buick Lesabre Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 179,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Buick Lesabre (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Lesabre. The part named most often is electrical system, with 12 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes (7) and vehicle speed control (7). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 179,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Electrical system12 26%
- Brakes7 15%
- Fuel system6 13%
- Seat belts6 13%
- Engine cooling5 11%
- Seats5 11%
- Steering4 8.7%
- Suspension2 4.3%
Also reported: Tires (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Interior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “While driving at any speed and without prior warning vehicle cuts off which causes loss of all power. Also, dashboard lights up red. Problem occurred three times in one day. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause. The problem happened twice, and the cause was determined to be ignition coils.”
NHTSA complaint #885681, filed 2001-04Brakes: “The brakes on a 1990 Buick Lesabre failed in the dealer lot when I went to test drive the car. They assured me they would repair the brakes and call me when the car was ready for sale. After the repair, I purchased the car, but the brakes soon failed again. I then discovered that the brake line repair had been made with compression fittings instead of high-pressure inverted-flare hydraulic fittings. I suspect this was unlawful. …”
NHTSA complaint #10054614, filed 2004-01, 45,000 milesVehicle speed control: “While backing out of a parking space vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control and forced vehicle to hit a phone pole, driver and passenger were injured. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #8001218, filed 2001-12Mileage when problems were reported
20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 165,000 and 186,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Buick Lesabre. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesabre · coupe | not rated | – / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 Buick Lesabre in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- PE92039Brake caliper corrosionClosed · Apr 15, 1992
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Buick Lesabre have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Lesabre as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Buick Lesabre is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 12 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.
Has the 1990 Buick Lesabre been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Buick Lesabre get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Buick Lesabre (LeSabre, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Buick Lesabre reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 179,000 miles and the middle half falls between 165,000 and 186,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.