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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.

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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

Seats complaints

10 reports
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67,055 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT IMMEDIATELY BECAME ABNORMALLY HOT WHEN THE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED. THE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THEN THE SEAT WARMER SHUT OFF; HOWEVER, THE HEAT SEAT INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT IMMEDIATELY BECAME ABNORMALLY HOT WHEN THE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED. THE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THEN THE SEAT WARMER SHUT OFF; HOWEVER, THE HEAT SEAT INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEAT REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DRIVER SIDE HEAT REGULATOR WAS REPAIRED ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,055.

NHTSA ODI #10607769

100,000 miles · Jan 20, 2011
SeatsFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVE, HE SMELLED SMOKE AND NOTICED THAT THE SEAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378070

103,000 miles · Aug 27, 2007
SeatsFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A HOLE WAS BURNED IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT THE SIZE OF A DIME. HE THEN NOTICED THAT THE PANTS HE WORE THAT NIGHT HAD A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PENCIL ERASER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT SHORTED OUT IN THE HEATED SEAT. T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A HOLE WAS BURNED IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT THE SIZE OF A DIME. HE THEN NOTICED THAT THE PANTS HE WORE THAT NIGHT HAD A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PENCIL ERASER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT SHORTED OUT IN THE HEATED SEAT. THE CONTACT NO LONGER USES THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS OVER THE MILEAGE FOR THE WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER CONTACTED HIM TO LET HIM KNOW THEY RECEIVED THE LETTER HOWEVER DUE TO THE FACT OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEATS WERE REPAIRED BUT NOT THE HEATING ELEMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED FEELS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR DEFECT. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200875

60,000 miles · Apr 30, 2006
Electrical SystemInterior LightingPower Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65000 MILES AFTER HAVING ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED ONCE. INITIALLY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY TRIED TO BLAME ME FOR THE FAILURE BUT AFTER DEALER DISASSEMBLED TRANSMISSION FOR INSPECTION IT WAS COVERED. ALSO, HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, RADIO AND STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65000 MILES AFTER HAVING ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED ONCE. INITIALLY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY TRIED TO BLAME ME FOR THE FAILURE BUT AFTER DEALER DISASSEMBLED TRANSMISSION FOR INSPECTION IT WAS COVERED. ALSO, HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, RADIO AND STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY FAILING, 2 WINDOWS HAVE FAILED IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING AT 50,000 MILES. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED IS THE HEATED SEAT. DEALER SAYS IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO FIX. I BOUGHT THE BEST EXTENDED WARRANTY THE DEALER OFFERED AND STILL HAVE TO FIGHT TO GET THINGS FIXED. THIS IS THE LAST TIME I BUY AMERICAN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156455

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2002
SeatsCrash

CONSUMER STATES WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS SHOOK BACK AND FORTH EXCESSIVELY CAUSING OCCUPANTS TO HIT HEADS ON ROOF OF VEHICLE. COLLISION WAS VERY MINOR AND SEATS SHOULD NOT HAVE MOVED. TS

NHTSA ODI #10001391

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2002
Power TrainSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #8018350

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2002
Seats

THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND WILL LURCH BACKWARDS WHEN STOPPING OR APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK THE LEFT FRONT SEAT MOVES FORWARD ON ACCELERATION, IS NOT INSULATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND FLOOR/REMOVED LEFT SEAT INSULATED AND REINSTALLED. THE PIVOT POINT ON THE DRIVER'S IS LOOSE CAUSING THE SE…

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THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND WILL LURCH BACKWARDS WHEN STOPPING OR APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK THE LEFT FRONT SEAT MOVES FORWARD ON ACCELERATION, IS NOT INSULATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND FLOOR/REMOVED LEFT SEAT INSULATED AND REINSTALLED. THE PIVOT POINT ON THE DRIVER'S IS LOOSE CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACK. THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY, FRONT SEAT POWER SPLIT SEAT-REPLACED. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8017673

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2002
SeatsCrashInjury

CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR. THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT HIT THEIR HEAD ON THE REAR DECK ABOVE THE SEAT. CONSUMER FEELS THAT SEATS ARE NOT HIGH ENOUGH AND HEADRESTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE REAR SEATS TO ENSURE PASSENGER SAFETY WHEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. PASSENGER WAS WEARING A SAFETY BELT, BUT REC…

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CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR. THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT HIT THEIR HEAD ON THE REAR DECK ABOVE THE SEAT. CONSUMER FEELS THAT SEATS ARE NOT HIGH ENOUGH AND HEADRESTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE REAR SEATS TO ENSURE PASSENGER SAFETY WHEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. PASSENGER WAS WEARING A SAFETY BELT, BUT RECEIVED HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE REAR WAS TRAVELLING LESS THAN 20MPH. ESTIMATED DAMAGE WAS $2500.00. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8014069

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2001
SeatsTiresVisibility

WINDOW WIPER FLUID WAS EMPTY/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE/ TIRE LIGHT CAME ON TWICE,CLUNK UNDER DRIVER SEAT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #755905

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

SINCE BUYING THE CAR IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN OUT, HAVE HAD PROBLEMS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN RUINED TWO TRIPS. THE WINDOW WIPERS WERE DISCONNECTED, ALTERNATOR OUT, TRANSMISSION OUT, DASH RATTLES, MOTOR UNDER DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER MAKES A HIGH WHINE. THE SEAT, AND DASH AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN …

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SINCE BUYING THE CAR IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN OUT, HAVE HAD PROBLEMS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN RUINED TWO TRIPS. THE WINDOW WIPERS WERE DISCONNECTED, ALTERNATOR OUT, TRANSMISSION OUT, DASH RATTLES, MOTOR UNDER DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER MAKES A HIGH WHINE. THE SEAT, AND DASH AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT THREE TIMES AND STILL NOT FIXED. THE CAR SHIFTS HARD INTO GEAR AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WHICH TOOK TWO TIMES TO THE SHOP TO FIX. THE TIRE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON DURING ONE OF THE OUT OF TOWN TRIPS EVEN THOUGH IT WAS CHECKED REPEATEDLY.

NHTSA ODI #751128

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.