IllustrationTRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INVOLVING 2001 BUICK LESABRE. *MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THIS OCCURRED WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES AND AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE SOLENOID VALVE WAS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER IT DID NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lesabre years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
300–25K
4025–50K
5750–75K
2575–100K
34100–150K
16150K+
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
Power Train complaints
31 reportsTHE TRANSMISSION FAILED ONCE AT 7000 MILES AND FAILED AGAIN AT 23,000 MILES. BOTH REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *MR *TS *NLM
BUICK LOST THE BBB DECISION AND DID NOT PERFORM WITHIN THE 40 DAYS ALLOTTED TO REPLACE THE CAR. THE CAR HAS MULTIPLE SAFETY DEFECTS (AIR BAG, TRANSMISSION, BRAKING) THAT THE BBB SAID COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. THEY WANT TO BUY BACK THE CAR AND INSPECT IT SO IT CAN BE RESOLD. *NLM
THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 7000 MILES, AND AGAIN AT 26,000 MILES. *JB....*AK
2/9/2001 PURCHASED BUICK LESABRE 1/19/2003 TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ITSELF FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN EXITING OWNERS GARAGE. 34,000 MILES ON CAR 1/27/2003 ADVISED BY BUICK DEALER THAT TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION. RETURNED TO OWNER AT THIS TIME. 1/28/2003 "NEW" TRANSMISSION SELF DESTRUCTED AT 25 MPH. …
Read full complaint
2/9/2001 PURCHASED BUICK LESABRE 1/19/2003 TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ITSELF FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN EXITING OWNERS GARAGE. 34,000 MILES ON CAR 1/27/2003 ADVISED BY BUICK DEALER THAT TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION. RETURNED TO OWNER AT THIS TIME. 1/28/2003 "NEW" TRANSMISSION SELF DESTRUCTED AT 25 MPH. BUICK DEALER ADVISED THAT A FOREIGN OBJECT HAD CAUSED DAMAGE. 1/31/2003 CAR WITH THIRD TRANSMISSION RETURNED THIS DATE. WE'RE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. *JB
POWER TRAIN - TRANSMISSION. 3.8 LITER ENGINE, TRANSMISSION GEAR FAILURE AT 40,610 ACTUAL MILES ON THE ODOMETER, RESULTING $2,993.00 REPAIRS AT BUD AND RAY'S TRANSMISSION, 237 WEST LAKETON AVENUE, MUSKEGON, MI 49441. ENGINE NUMBER [XXX]. I NOTED THAT THERE ARE A FEW OTHER COMPLAINTS, ON THE RECALL WEB SITE, RELATING TO THE T…
Read full complaint
POWER TRAIN - TRANSMISSION. 3.8 LITER ENGINE, TRANSMISSION GEAR FAILURE AT 40,610 ACTUAL MILES ON THE ODOMETER, RESULTING $2,993.00 REPAIRS AT BUD AND RAY'S TRANSMISSION, 237 WEST LAKETON AVENUE, MUSKEGON, MI 49441. ENGINE NUMBER [XXX]. I NOTED THAT THERE ARE A FEW OTHER COMPLAINTS, ON THE RECALL WEB SITE, RELATING TO THE TRANSMISSION (POWER TRAIN). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
VARIOUS BUICK DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. DT
WHILE MAKING A SUDDEN STOP, CONSUMER NOTICED DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED FORWARD WHILE TURNING CORNERS. CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE, SEAT MOVING SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS A HARSH DOWN SHIFT WHEN MERGING ON TO A FREEWAY OR GOIND UP A HILL. SHIFTS DOWN TO LOWER GEAR. THE SOLENOID WAS…
Read full complaint
WHILE MAKING A SUDDEN STOP, CONSUMER NOTICED DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED FORWARD WHILE TURNING CORNERS. CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE, SEAT MOVING SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS A HARSH DOWN SHIFT WHEN MERGING ON TO A FREEWAY OR GOIND UP A HILL. SHIFTS DOWN TO LOWER GEAR. THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED AND THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WAS UPDATED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE HARSH ENGAGEMENT. ONCE IN A WHILE THE HARSH ENGAGEMENT HAPPENS WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FLUSHED DUE TO SEDIMENT. THE REAR BRAKES STILL MOAN AND ARE SQUEAKY AT LOW SPEEDS. THEY WERE HOSED OFF TO REMOVE THE EXCESS BRAKE DUST FORM THE ROTORS. THE BRAKES PULSATE WHEN BRAKING HARD ON FREEWAYS OR CITY STREETS. THE STEERING LABORS ENGINE WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR BACKING UP. THE POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC HOSES WERE REPLACED. *JG
WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE WILL HAVE A HARSH DOWNSHIFT, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO GO INTO SECOND GEAR, BUT GO BACK INTO FIRST GEAR.CONTACTED DEALER.CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK
THE VEHICLE VIBRATED NAD THERE WAS NO SECOND GEAR AND NO REVERSE, DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION.*YH
Official recalls
0No 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
1EA02030 · 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.