Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1988 vs 1989 BUICK LESABRE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 455 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 19.1% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1988 share 1989 share Share change
STEERING 57.1% 8.0% ▼ 49.1 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM not reported 12.0% ▲ 12.0 pts larger share
VISIBILITY not reported 8.0% ▲ 8.0 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL not reported 8.0% ▲ 8.0 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 4.8% 12.0% ▲ 7.2 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 4.8% not reported ▼ 4.8 pts smaller share
WHEELS 4.8% not reported ▼ 4.8 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN not reported 4.0% ▲ 4.0 pts larger share
ENGINE 4.8% 8.0% ▲ 3.2 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 14.3% 16.0% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9.5% 8.0% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
TIRES 4.8% 4.0% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 76.2% 76.0% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1988 4

Campaign components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

1989 3

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and STRUCTURE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
0 → 2
◆ Injuries
0 → 1