1985 Buick Lesabre recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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).
What could happen: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 LESABRE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V102000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: 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).
Consequence: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: CRUISE CONTROL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL ANDCERTAIN GASOLINE AND DIESEL ENGINES.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (2), Unknown Or Other (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Wheels / tires (1), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
07/11/2003 · Unknown Or Other
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. *MR *CB *NLM
04/09/2001 · Vehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE BECAME STUCK IN OPEN POSITION, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CONSUMER TRIED TO PRY PEDAL UP, BUT COULD NOT. CONSUMER THEN TURNED ENGINE OFF. THIS WAS SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. *AK
08/10/2000 · Wheels / tires
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. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/70R )
12/04/1996 · Engine
HEAD GASKET FAILED.
05/11/1995 · Brakes
WHILE DRIVING, JAMMED ON BRAKES; NO BRAKING EFFECT; JAMMED ON EMERGENCY BRAKES, RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. TT
05/11/1995 · Brakes
WHILE DRIVING, JAMMED ON BRAKES; NO BRAKING EFFECT; JAMMED ON EMERGENCY BRAKES, RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. TT