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 reports
147,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemFire
I TRY TO START THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN THEN I HEARD A BIG LOUD SOUND FROM THE ENGINE A BOOB SOUND. I NOTICE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. MY BROTHER WAS OUTSIDE WHEN THE LOUD SOUND WENT OFF. MY BROTHER AND I MOVE THE OTHER VEHICLES OUT OF THE WAY SO IT WOULDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. …
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I TRY TO START THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN THEN I HEARD A BIG LOUD SOUND FROM THE ENGINE A BOOB SOUND. I NOTICE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. MY BROTHER WAS OUTSIDE WHEN THE LOUD SOUND WENT OFF. MY BROTHER AND I MOVE THE OTHER VEHICLES OUT OF THE WAY SO IT WOULDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. WENT BACK OVER TO THE CAR MY BROTHER TRIED TO PURSUE WITH THE MATTER AND HE NOTICE HE WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE THE SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE IT WAS TO MUCH FOR HIM TO HANDLE SO HE TOLD ME TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND DID THAT. ENGINE WAS ON FIRE SPREADING LARGER SURROUNDING THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IN FLAMES. THE POLICE CAME AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVE A COUPLES MINUTES AFTER THAT. THEY SPREAD IT DOWN WITH FIRE HOSES AND THAT WAS IT. IT NOT FIXABLE AND IT SCARED VERY BAD THIS IS REALLY BAD SO THAT'S WHY I'M WRITING THIS TO SOLVE THIS MATTER . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692671
140,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON, A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMERGE FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON, A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMERGE FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10692606
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2015
Structure
2001 BUICK LASABRE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DASH BOARD SEPARATION PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD CAME APART ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND CURLED UP ABOUT FOUR INCHES. THE DASHBOARD SEPARATION HAS SINCE MOVED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE FRONT AIR BAG. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10669022
200,000 miles · Jan 15, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND FIRE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND FIRE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10672651
75,000 miles · Dec 6, 2014
Air BagsStructure
FRONT / TOP OF DASHBOARD SEPARATING AND DELAMINATING FROM THE INTERIOR CABIN OF VEHICLE AND EXPENDING TO A POINT WERE THE ONE PIECE EXPOSING OPEN VOID SPACE AND SETTING OFF SENSORS ON AIR BAGS BY PINCHING AND SENDING A MESSAGE THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE SEEN NO OF SAME MODEL BUICK…
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FRONT / TOP OF DASHBOARD SEPARATING AND DELAMINATING FROM THE INTERIOR CABIN OF VEHICLE AND EXPENDING TO A POINT WERE THE ONE PIECE EXPOSING OPEN VOID SPACE AND SETTING OFF SENSORS ON AIR BAGS BY PINCHING AND SENDING A MESSAGE THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE SEEN NO OF SAME MODEL BUICKS WITH SIMILAR DEFECTS AND PROBLEMS FROM 2000 TO 2004 AND NEWER MODELS ON THE ROAD. WHEN REQUESTED FOR EVALUATION FROM TWO BUICK / GM DEALERS THEY HAD NO SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE OR OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE SAFETY ISSUE. REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION TO GM FOR SOLUTION AND NOTICE TO THE OWNERS OF SIMILAR CARS TO REPORT SAME OR SIM. PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662514
240,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
EngineFire
ENGINE OF MY 2001 BUICK LE SABRE, V6, 3800 ENGINE, CAUGHT FIRE AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AND SHORT DRIVE HOME. AUTHORIZED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS ENGINE OIL LEAKED OUT OF GASKET AND ON TOP OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD, TRIGGERING A FIRE THAT QUICKLY MELTED THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS COVER AND STARTED BURNING THROUGH THE WIRES. I CAUGHT THE FIRE…
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ENGINE OF MY 2001 BUICK LE SABRE, V6, 3800 ENGINE, CAUGHT FIRE AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AND SHORT DRIVE HOME. AUTHORIZED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS ENGINE OIL LEAKED OUT OF GASKET AND ON TOP OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD, TRIGGERING A FIRE THAT QUICKLY MELTED THE PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS COVER AND STARTED BURNING THROUGH THE WIRES. I CAUGHT THE FIRE EARLY AS IT WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT FIRE WAS SPREADING QUICKLY. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659374
154,000 miles · Nov 10, 2014
Unknown Or Other
ALL POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #10653940
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringTires
2001 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRES . *TGW ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT WERE REPLACED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE SEPARATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/08/15*JB UPDATED 04/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER ONLY PROVIDED T…
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2001 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRES . *TGW ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT WERE REPLACED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE SEPARATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/08/15*JB UPDATED 04/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER ONLY PROVIDED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRE, TBC CORP. HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVIDE THE TIRE LINE/BRAND OF TIRE. UPDATED 05/04/16. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10638954
63,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical System
WHEN I TRY TO START SOME TIMES IT WONT START I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE KEY FOR 10 MIN I DON'T GET ANY POWER AT ALL I CAN HERE THE FUEL PUMP TURN ON AND NOTHING HAPPENS THEN STARTS I PLAY WITH IT STARTS RIGHT UP THEN THE OTHER THING I NOTICE IS WHEN IT RAINS IT MAKES AN AWFUL SQUEALING NOISE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627324
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2014
Visibility/wiper
ONE DAY I NOTICED A SMALL SEPARATION OF THE DASH BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. OVER TIME THE SEPARATION GREW AND GREW UNTIL ITS UP SEVERAL INCHES RIGHT IN MY SIGHT LINE AND HAS SPREAD ALMOST THE LENGTH OF THE DASH TO PASSENGER SIDE CREATING A HAZARDOUS CONDITION OF THE AIRBAG BEING EXPOSED. THERE IS A CHAT FORUM WITH MANY MANY BUIC…
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ONE DAY I NOTICED A SMALL SEPARATION OF THE DASH BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. OVER TIME THE SEPARATION GREW AND GREW UNTIL ITS UP SEVERAL INCHES RIGHT IN MY SIGHT LINE AND HAS SPREAD ALMOST THE LENGTH OF THE DASH TO PASSENGER SIDE CREATING A HAZARDOUS CONDITION OF THE AIRBAG BEING EXPOSED. THERE IS A CHAT FORUM WITH MANY MANY BUICK LESABRE OWNERS WITH SAME CONDITION AND WE CAN NOT GET ANY HELP/RESPONSE FROM GM OTHER THAT REPLACING THE DASH AND A HIGH COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10625706
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.
2001 Buick Lesabre Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year