IllustrationTHE DASH COVERING HAS BEGUN SHRINKING OR PULLING AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD FOR SOME TIME NOW. DON' KNOW IF THIS WILL ULTIMATELY COMPROMISE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM OR NOT. IT IS JUST PLAIN SHODDY WORKMANSHIP. MY 1991 LESABRE INTERIOR HELD UP MUCH BETTER THAN THIS 2001. *TR
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
What owners actually said
328 reportsTHE LEATHER COVERING ON THE DASH DETACHED FROM THE DASHBOARD AT THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. OUR CONCERN IS; IF THE CAR IS IN A CRASH WILL THE AIRBAG OR IMPACT CAUSE THE REMAINDER OF THE DASH TO DETACH AND CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS. BUICK CLAIMS THERE IS NO SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL NOT REPAIR THE …
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THE LEATHER COVERING ON THE DASH DETACHED FROM THE DASHBOARD AT THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. OUR CONCERN IS; IF THE CAR IS IN A CRASH WILL THE AIRBAG OR IMPACT CAUSE THE REMAINDER OF THE DASH TO DETACH AND CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS. BUICK CLAIMS THERE IS NO SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL NOT REPAIR THE DASH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE LEATHER DASHBOARD FRACTURED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD E…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE LEATHER DASHBOARD FRACTURED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD EFFECT THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE IS BUCKLING BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THE STRUCTURE TO THE DASHBOARD WAS BEGINNING TO FRACTURE AND SEEMED TO BE PULLING FROM ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
IN DECEMBER 2010 I HAD MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE REPAIRED AT SCHEPEL BUICK IN MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA. THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND THE THERMOSTAT BECAUSE OF THE COOLANT LEAKING. I JUST FOUND OUT THE GM KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEX COOLANT FOR A LONG TIME AND DIDN'T LET ANYONE KNOW. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGE…
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IN DECEMBER 2010 I HAD MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE REPAIRED AT SCHEPEL BUICK IN MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA. THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND THE THERMOSTAT BECAUSE OF THE COOLANT LEAKING. I JUST FOUND OUT THE GM KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEX COOLANT FOR A LONG TIME AND DIDN'T LET ANYONE KNOW. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER A SCHEPEL BILL AND TALKED TO HIM AND HE SAID THAT HE NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND NEITHER DID GM. ITS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. HE LIED TO ME. HE TOLD ME NOT TO BELIEVE WHAT THE INTERNET SAYS. I AM OUT $779.45 FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR. THE NEVER HAD A RECALL BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO KEEP IT QUITE. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THEY SHOULD GET AWAY WITH KEEPING IT QUITE WHEN SOMEONE COULD GET HURT AND TO AVOID PAYING FOR THEIR MISTAKE.
THE DASH PAD ON MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE IS COMING APART FROM THE DASH. IT CAUSES A DECREASE IN MY VIEW AND I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS. *TR
THE DASH BOARD IS SEPARATING OR "BUCKING UP", WHICH CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY IF IT SEPARATES TOO FAR. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE SEEN OTHER BUICK LESABRES DOING THE SAME THING. TH…
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THE DASH BOARD IS SEPARATING OR "BUCKING UP", WHICH CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY IF IT SEPARATES TOO FAR. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE SEEN OTHER BUICK LESABRES DOING THE SAME THING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DONE ON ALL 2000-2005 LESABRES.
DASH ON 2001 BUICK LESABRE HAS SEPARATED, STARTING ON DRIVERS SIDE AND GOING ACROSS TO PASSENGER SIDE. I AM CONCERNED IT CAN CAUSE AIRBAG TO INFLATE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LOCAL DEALER SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROX. $1000.00.& 2 BODY SHOPS REFUSED TO REPAIR. ANOTHER SHOP WILL REPLACE FOR $800.00 TO $900.00 OR REPAI…
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DASH ON 2001 BUICK LESABRE HAS SEPARATED, STARTING ON DRIVERS SIDE AND GOING ACROSS TO PASSENGER SIDE. I AM CONCERNED IT CAN CAUSE AIRBAG TO INFLATE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LOCAL DEALER SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROX. $1000.00.& 2 BODY SHOPS REFUSED TO REPAIR. ANOTHER SHOP WILL REPLACE FOR $800.00 TO $900.00 OR REPAIR BY REMOVING WINDSHIELD FOR $400.00. I KNOW THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM ON 2000 THRU 2005 BUICK LESABRAS. *TR
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.
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.