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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
9,999,999 miles · Jan 24, 2016
Unknown Or OtherFire

MY DAUGHTER, SON-IN-LAW, AND GRANDSON STOPPED AT MY MOTHER'S HOUSE FOR JUST A FEW MIN. THEN THEY WERE GOING TO DRIVE ON TO MY HOUSE. WE ALL LIVE WITHIN 5 MILES OF EACH OTHER. THEY WERE ALL INSIDE MY MOM'S HOUSE WHEN THEY HEARD AND EXPLOSION. AFTER LOOKING OUTSIDE, THEY SEEN THE CAR ON FIRE. THEY ARE LUCKY TO BE HERE. ITS A …

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MY DAUGHTER, SON-IN-LAW, AND GRANDSON STOPPED AT MY MOTHER'S HOUSE FOR JUST A FEW MIN. THEN THEY WERE GOING TO DRIVE ON TO MY HOUSE. WE ALL LIVE WITHIN 5 MILES OF EACH OTHER. THEY WERE ALL INSIDE MY MOM'S HOUSE WHEN THEY HEARD AND EXPLOSION. AFTER LOOKING OUTSIDE, THEY SEEN THE CAR ON FIRE. THEY ARE LUCKY TO BE HERE. ITS A MIRACLE. YOUR COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR MALFUNCTIONING PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #10821922

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

70,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE DASH PAD IS PEELING AND WARPING AND I FOUND A SITE THAT TOLD ME TO REPORT IT HERE AS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH SEVERAL YEARS OF THE LESABRE.

NHTSA ODI #10750254

137,463 miles · Aug 14, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THE GAS HAND SAID IT WAS FULL, WHEN I DROVE OFF THE PARKING LOT.. I DIDN'T GET OFF THE ROAD, WHEN THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS. CARS BLOWING HORNS.

NHTSA ODI #10748844

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

72,000 miles · May 24, 2015
Engine

ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF UPON EXELLERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 - 55MPH. AND BECAME MORE FREQUENT OVER TIME AT LOWER SPEEDS. WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER SITTING A COUPLE OF MINUTES FROM THE START OF THE PROBLEM. BUT OVER TIME, IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND HARDER TO RESTART WITH EACH INCIDENT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO 1-DEALER …

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ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF UPON EXELLERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 - 55MPH. AND BECAME MORE FREQUENT OVER TIME AT LOWER SPEEDS. WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER SITTING A COUPLE OF MINUTES FROM THE START OF THE PROBLEM. BUT OVER TIME, IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND HARDER TO RESTART WITH EACH INCIDENT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO 1-DEALER AND 2-SHOPS FOR DIAGNOSTIC BUT, THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. I PARKED THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. WENT OUT TO START IT ONE MORNING AND IT BACK FIRED WITH LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALWAYS STAYED ON MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND THE CAR RUNS LIKE A CHAMP! WHEN ITS RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI #10721195

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2015
Air Bags

THE DASH BOARD IS MELTING AWAY AN IT HAS LIFTED UP THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAD AN I THINK THATS A SAFEY HAZARD CAUSE IF I WAS TO GET INTO A FINDER BENDER OR A BAD CAR WRECK THE PASSENGER AIR WILL NOT COME OUT. AN I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER MAKE AN MODELS JUST LIKE MINES

NHTSA ODI #10717569

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2015
Structure

THE DASH BOARD PEELED UP. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS IN THE AREA WHERE PARTS ARE LOOSE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE BUICK LASABRE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CANNOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED WITH THE DASH SITUATION. THE DATE HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER IS NOW DECEASED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705726

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

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.