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2001 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lesabre years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Buick Lesabre are substantially higher than the model-year median of 24.

About this comparison →
328Owner complaints

Model-year median: 24

0Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
400
1998209
1999669
2000328
2001310
2002164
2003162
2004
Compare all Lesabre years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Visibility
99Structure
50Electrical System
38Power Train
31Air Bags
29
All reported categories
Steering
29Engine And Engine Cooling
28Engine
19Suspension
17Unknown Or Other
16Service Brakes, Hydraulic
12Seats
10Vehicle Speed Control
10Exterior Lighting
7Fuel/propulsion System
7Equipment
5Fuel System, Gasoline
5Fuel System, Other
5Tires
5Seat Belts
4Wheels
4Latches/locks/linkages
2Visibility/wiper
2Interior Lighting
1Parking Brake
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

202 reports with mileage · 126 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports22 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

38 reports
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102,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

CAR HAS TWICE SHUTOFF DURING DRIVING. LAST TIME IN MIDDLE OF TURN, SON RAN OFF ROAD BECAUSE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY GM RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL. DEALER HAS NO IDEA HOW TO REPAIR EXCEPT TO 'TRY' THINGS. PROBLEM IS, IF GUESS IS WRONG AND PROBLEM PERSISTS, SERIOUS A…

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CAR HAS TWICE SHUTOFF DURING DRIVING. LAST TIME IN MIDDLE OF TURN, SON RAN OFF ROAD BECAUSE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY GM RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL. DEALER HAS NO IDEA HOW TO REPAIR EXCEPT TO 'TRY' THINGS. PROBLEM IS, IF GUESS IS WRONG AND PROBLEM PERSISTS, SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #10790036

100,000 miles · Jun 21, 2015
Electrical System

SEVERAL TIMES BEGINNING IN APPROXIMATELY MARCH 2015, MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL WHILE AT SIGNAL. ONE TIME THE CAR QUIT WHILE DRIVING. THE IGNITION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN THE CAR OVER TO START, OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. I PURCHASED MY BUICK AT A LIEN SALE. I AM WORRIED THE C…

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SEVERAL TIMES BEGINNING IN APPROXIMATELY MARCH 2015, MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL WHILE AT SIGNAL. ONE TIME THE CAR QUIT WHILE DRIVING. THE IGNITION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN THE CAR OVER TO START, OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. I PURCHASED MY BUICK AT A LIEN SALE. I AM WORRIED THE CAR MAY HAVE THE PROBLEM INDICATED IN THE RECALL. I HAD TWO MECHANICS CHECK THE BATTERY (REPLACED) ALTERNATOR (TESTED GOOD) AND THEY CHECKED FUEL INJECTION AND AIR INTAKE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I WOULD SINCERELY APPRECIATE IT IF A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER COULD PLEASE CHECK MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10726455

70,000 miles · May 13, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR POWER WINDOW MOTORS, THE DASH IS COMING APART AND IS RAISED BLOCKING SOME VISIBILITY AND POTENTIALLY AFFECTING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN AN ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT BRAKING VIBRATION / PULSATION HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON ALL FIVE OF MY BUICK LESABRES

NHTSA ODI #10716364

65,000 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiper

ALL 4 WINDOWS HAVE FAILED. ONE OF THEM TWICE! MY DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING EXACTLY THE SAME WAY MANY OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED THEIRS. I INITIALLY HAD MAJOR BATTERY ISSUES (BATTERY IS LOCATED UNDER BACK SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE - HOW WEIRD IS THAT?). I WOULD DRIVE MY CAR TO THE STORE, COME OUT, AND IT WOULD NOT START. ONE TIME, I OPENED …

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ALL 4 WINDOWS HAVE FAILED. ONE OF THEM TWICE! MY DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING EXACTLY THE SAME WAY MANY OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED THEIRS. I INITIALLY HAD MAJOR BATTERY ISSUES (BATTERY IS LOCATED UNDER BACK SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE - HOW WEIRD IS THAT?). I WOULD DRIVE MY CAR TO THE STORE, COME OUT, AND IT WOULD NOT START. ONE TIME, I OPENED THE TRUNK TO GET MY JUMPER CABLES AND WHEN I SLAMMED THE TRUNK LID, THE RADIO CAME ON! THEN, OF COURSE, THE CAR STARTED JUST FINE. AFTER OWNING THIS POSSESSED CAR WITH MAJOR RELIABILITY ISSUES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, WE FOUND AN ELECTRICAL MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED A LOSE WIRE IN THE MANUFACTURERS ELECTRICAL WORK WHICH WAS SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY. MY GAS GAUGE HASN'T WORKED IN YEARS. I AM ALWAYS AT 3/4 TO A FULL TANK. THIS IS OTHERWISE A GREAT CAR, BUT I AM SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED THAT BUICK WILL NOT STAND BEHIND SOME OF THESE REPEAT PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY THE ELECTRIC MOTORS FOR THE WINDOWS AND THAT HORRIBLE PLASTIC PART THAT CONTINUES TO BREAK. SOMEBODY FROM BUICK SHOULD READ THESE COMPLAINTS AND DO SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701286

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringTires

2001 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRES . *TGW ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT WERE REPLACED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE SEPARATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/08/15*JB UPDATED 04/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER ONLY PROVIDED T…

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2001 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRES . *TGW ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT WERE REPLACED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE SEPARATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/08/15*JB UPDATED 04/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER ONLY PROVIDED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRE, TBC CORP. HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVIDE THE TIRE LINE/BRAND OF TIRE. UPDATED 05/04/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10638954

63,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical System

WHEN I TRY TO START SOME TIMES IT WONT START I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE KEY FOR 10 MIN I DON'T GET ANY POWER AT ALL I CAN HERE THE FUEL PUMP TURN ON AND NOTHING HAPPENS THEN STARTS I PLAY WITH IT STARTS RIGHT UP THEN THE OTHER THING I NOTICE IS WHEN IT RAINS IT MAKES AN AWFUL SQUEALING NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627324

75,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

DASHBOARD TOP IS SEPARATING AND BUCKLING IN AREA BETWEEN STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. IT STARTED SLOWLY WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE WITH TIME. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THAT AS THE DASHBOARD SEPARATION GETS WORSE, IT WILL AFFECT THE PASSE…

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DASHBOARD TOP IS SEPARATING AND BUCKLING IN AREA BETWEEN STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. IT STARTED SLOWLY WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE WITH TIME. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. I'M WORRIED THAT AS THE DASHBOARD SEPARATION GETS WORSE, IT WILL AFFECT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND/OR VEHICLE ELECTRONICS IN THE DASHBOARD AREA LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597086

88,404 miles · Feb 9, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD CHARGE. HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN. DID NOT HELP. HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED. DID NOT HELP. CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE. FIRE MARSHALL SAID THE FUSE BOX SHORTED AND CAUGHT THE INSULATION ON FIRE WHICH BURNED THE FUEL LINE INTO. CAR IS NO LONGER A PROBLEM. TOTALLY GO…

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BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD CHARGE. HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN. DID NOT HELP. HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED. DID NOT HELP. CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE. FIRE MARSHALL SAID THE FUSE BOX SHORTED AND CAUGHT THE INSULATION ON FIRE WHICH BURNED THE FUEL LINE INTO. CAR IS NO LONGER A PROBLEM. TOTALLY GONE. FIRE WAS SO INTENSE IT MELTED THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563573

71,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

THE DASH BOARD IS SEPERATING AT THE SEAMS ALL THE WAY TO THE AIR BAGS. IT MAY LEAD TO POSSIBLE AIR BAG DEPLOYEMENT ON PASSENGER SIDE. PLEASE FIX THIS COULD LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT I COMMUNTE ON A DAILY BASIS WITH MY TWO SON 6 AND 10. PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUS INJURED PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554356

214,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

REAR WINDOW REGULATOR HAVE MALFUNCTIONED FOR 3RD TIME IN BOTH REAR WINDOWS. OIL LEAKING FROM VALVE/HEADS CAUSING SMOKE UNDER HOOD. DOOR CONTROLS SHORTED OUT,AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSING DOORS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT CAUSE AND SWITCHING FROM DRIVER1 TO DRIVER2 AND BACK WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512045

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.