Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Buick LeSabre. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS(GIVE SIDE/END)
- Summary
- VEHICLES MAY HAVE DISCREPANT WELDS IN THE LEFT REAR ROCKER PANEL WHICH CAN CAUSE DEFORMATION OF THE PANEL.
- Consequence
- INCREASED DEFORMATION OF THE LEFT REAR ROCKER PANELCAN CAUSE THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE NOT TO ACHIEVE THE LOAD REQUIREDBY FMVSS NO. 210.
- Remedy
- INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT KIT.
FUEL:FUEL SYSTEM OTHER PARTS
- Summary
- FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
- Consequence
- IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH VEHICLE BECOMES INVERTEDMISSING VALVE COULD ALLOW FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF AMOUNT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- REPLACE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (27)
27 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 27 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 4 | 14.8% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 14.8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 14.8% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 11.1% |
| Tires | 3 | 11.1% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 7.4% |
| Power train | 2 | 7.4% |
| Steering | 2 | 7.4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 7.4% |
How 1989 compares with other LeSabre years
Best and worst LeSabre years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 5 | 1 |
| 1986 | 16 | 2 |
| 1987 | 40 | 4 |
| 1988 | 21 | 3 |
| 1989 | 27 | 2 |
| 1990 | 46 | 0 |
| 1991 | 30 | 0 |
| 1992 | 189 | 2 |
| 1993 | 194 | 1 |
| 1994 | 158 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,350
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 444 g/mi
- EPA class
- Large Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1989 LeSabre for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1989 Buick LeSabre FAQ
How many recalls does the 1989 Buick LeSabre have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 89V188000 (structure), 88V143000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1989 Buick LeSabre problems?
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (4), Seat belts (4), Vehicle speed control (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1989 Buick LeSabre get?
EPA rates the 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 17 city, 26 highway and 20 combined mpg.
How does the 1989 LeSabre compare with other years?
Among the 1985–1994 Buick LeSabre model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (5) and the 1993 the most (194). The 1989 drew 27. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.