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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

What owners actually said

328 reports
65,000 miles · Jan 2, 2011
SteeringStructure

ON MY 2001 LESABRE LIMITED, THE DASHPAD CAME PULLED LOOSE AND STARTED BUNCHING UP IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF IT CAUSES AIRBAG DEPLOY OR A SUDDEN BLOCK OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT MAY FOLLOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373747

106,000 miles · Nov 27, 2010
Structure

EARLIER THIS SUMMER, JUNE OR JULY, I TOOK MY LESABRE IN TO MY DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED (IN 2006) BECAUSE MY DASH HAD BEEN SEPARATING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I THOUGHT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME SORT OF RECALL OR TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR THE DASH PROBLEM, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A PROBLEM LIKE MINE BEFORE…

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EARLIER THIS SUMMER, JUNE OR JULY, I TOOK MY LESABRE IN TO MY DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED (IN 2006) BECAUSE MY DASH HAD BEEN SEPARATING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I THOUGHT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME SORT OF RECALL OR TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR THE DASH PROBLEM, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A PROBLEM LIKE MINE BEFORE. THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO REPLACE THE DASH AT A COST OF NEARLY $900 AND THEY COULDN'T BE CERTAIN THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAD POSED THE QUESTION ABOUT THE SEPARATION CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM SINCE I HAD READ SOMETHING ABOUT IT ONLINE. THE DEALER SAID THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD CAUSE A PROBLEM. THEY FINALLY HAD A SERVICE TECH COME LOOK AT THE DASH AND HE SAID HE WOULD JUST "GLUE IT DOWN", PUT A COUPLE SCREWS THROUGH THE DASH AND BUY AN AFTERMARKET DASH COVER "IF IT WERE HIM" AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE DASH HAS CONTINUALLY BEEN SEPARATING MORE AND MORE SINCE THEN. FINALLY, ON THE 24TH OF NOVEMBER 2010, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL HIGHWAY, MY AIR BAG DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE AUDIBLE ALARM SOUNDED. I IMMEDIATELY MOVED MY SEAT BACK AND WENT HOME ASAP. I LOOKED AT THE MANUAL TO FIND OUT THAT WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON IT MEANT THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD 1) NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT OR 2) DEPOLY AT ANY TIME WITHOUT REASON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY THE FACTORY / DEALER / CARMAKER / ETC. THIS IS, IN MY OPINION, NO DOUBT CAUSED BY THE SEPARATING OF THE DASH PANEL FROM THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS DASH SEPARATION AS A LEGIT PROBLEM AND SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HAVING TO PAY NEARLY $900 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING DUE TO POOR DESIGN ON THE PART OF BUICK / GENERAL MOTORS. AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING NORMAL DRIVING WILL MOST CERTAINLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY A FATALITY...UNACCEPTABLE!!!

NHTSA ODI #10368816

75,000 miles · Nov 8, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEATHER INTERIOR OF THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED AND THE HEATER WAS CAUSING THE LEATHER TO FRACTURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEATHER INTERIOR OF THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED AND THE HEATER WAS CAUSING THE LEATHER TO FRACTURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10365028

91,000 miles · Oct 28, 2010
Structure

THE DASHCOVER HAS COME UNGLUED AND BUCKLING UP. THERE IS CONCERN THAT THIS MAY INTERFERE WITH PROPER OPERATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362855

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2010
Visibility

WE ARE BEYOND THREE REPLACEMENTS ON WINDOW REGULATORS FOR OUR 2001 BUICK LESABRE IN 2010 ALONE AND WE'VE LEARNED SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED 4-6 WITHIN A SHORT SPAN OF TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362515

71,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LASABRE. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS EXPLODED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LASABRE. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80000.

NHTSA ODI #10355757

101,000 miles · Sep 12, 2010
Visibility

2001 BUICK LESABRE REAR WINDOW ASSEMBLY FAILED ON BOTH SIDES, COST $400 EACH TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355098

50,000 miles · Aug 29, 2010
Visibility

REAR WINDOWS FAILED WITHIN 2 DAYS OF EACH OTHER. RARELY USED WINDOWS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352624

55,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Visibility

MY 2001 BUICK LASABRE, ALL FOUR POWER WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED IN A 2-3 YEAR TIME, VEHICLEEHAD 55,000 WHEN FAILURES OCCURRED, FAILURE WAS IN THE CONNECTION OF OF THE CABLE ATTACHMENT TO THE WINDOW LIFT REGULATOR. PLASTIC RETAINERS HAD SPLIT ALLOWING CABLE TO PULL LOOSE. WINDOWS CANNOT BE OPERATED WHEN FAILURE OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349926

84,745 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Visibility

HAD TO REPLACE RR WINDOW REGULATOR, WINDOW WOULD NOT OPERATE. THIS IS THE SECOND REGULATOR THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED (LR WINDOW). I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE EMOLOYEES THAT SHE HAD 3 WINDOW REGULATORS TO GO BAD. JUST ABOUT EVERYONE I TALKED TO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349475

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.