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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
160,000 miles · Feb 23, 2014
SteeringSuspension

HANKOOK OPTIMO H727 TIRES WERE INSTALLED ALL THE WAY AROUND IN MID 2012. AFTER ABOUT 15,000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN TO WOBBLE/VIBRATE NOTICEABLY AT SPEEDS OVER ABOUT 45 MPH. TIRES HAD BEEN REGULARLY ROTATED, AND THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON A REGULAR BASIS SINCE THE WOBBLE BEGAN. AT THE LAST ROTATION, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIRE…

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HANKOOK OPTIMO H727 TIRES WERE INSTALLED ALL THE WAY AROUND IN MID 2012. AFTER ABOUT 15,000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN TO WOBBLE/VIBRATE NOTICEABLY AT SPEEDS OVER ABOUT 45 MPH. TIRES HAD BEEN REGULARLY ROTATED, AND THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON A REGULAR BASIS SINCE THE WOBBLE BEGAN. AT THE LAST ROTATION, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIRES WERE "CHOPPING" AND THAT WAS CAUSING THE VIBRATION/WOBBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565514

88,404 miles · Feb 9, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD CHARGE. HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN. DID NOT HELP. HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED. DID NOT HELP. CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE. FIRE MARSHALL SAID THE FUSE BOX SHORTED AND CAUGHT THE INSULATION ON FIRE WHICH BURNED THE FUEL LINE INTO. CAR IS NO LONGER A PROBLEM. TOTALLY GO…

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BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD CHARGE. HAD A NEW COMPUTER PUT IN. DID NOT HELP. HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED. DID NOT HELP. CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE. FIRE MARSHALL SAID THE FUSE BOX SHORTED AND CAUGHT THE INSULATION ON FIRE WHICH BURNED THE FUEL LINE INTO. CAR IS NO LONGER A PROBLEM. TOTALLY GONE. FIRE WAS SO INTENSE IT MELTED THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563573

176,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND SMELLED OF BURNING OIL. WENT TOBA MECHANIC AND SAID MY VALVE IS LEAKING OIL ALL OVER MY ENGINE FOR SOME REASON. THIS ENGINE I'VE READ IS PRONE TO ENGINE FIRES. THIS MAYBE A DEFECTIVE ENGINE IN THE BUICK AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557922

13,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH PAD ON MY 2001 BUICK LE SABRE HAS SEPARATED AND BUCKLED UP APPROXIMATELY SIX INCHES IN HEIGHT AND MOSTLY IN FRONT OF MY STEERING WHEEL, HOWEVER IT IS LIFTED 3/4 OF THE WAY ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASH. IT IS NOW OPEN IN THE FRONT ALONG WHERE IT MEETS THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS LIFTED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR B…

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THE DASH PAD ON MY 2001 BUICK LE SABRE HAS SEPARATED AND BUCKLED UP APPROXIMATELY SIX INCHES IN HEIGHT AND MOSTLY IN FRONT OF MY STEERING WHEEL, HOWEVER IT IS LIFTED 3/4 OF THE WAY ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASH. IT IS NOW OPEN IN THE FRONT ALONG WHERE IT MEETS THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS LIFTED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. UPON READING ON LINE, I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2001 THROUGH 2005 BUICKS AND I AM JUST ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO ADD TO THE LIST. THE RISE IN THE DASH CERTAINLY EFFECTS MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE PLACED A THICK PAD ON TOP OF MY DRIVERS SEAT TO RAISE MY BODY. THIS ASSISTS ME, SO I AM ABLE TO PEER OVER THE RAISED DASH WHILE DRIVING. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED THAT THE SEPARATION, IS GOING TO SUDDENLY DEPLOY MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557727

71,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

THE DASH BOARD IS SEPERATING AT THE SEAMS ALL THE WAY TO THE AIR BAGS. IT MAY LEAD TO POSSIBLE AIR BAG DEPLOYEMENT ON PASSENGER SIDE. PLEASE FIX THIS COULD LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT I COMMUNTE ON A DAILY BASIS WITH MY TWO SON 6 AND 10. PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUS INJURED PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554356

30,000 miles · Sep 7, 2013
Air Bags

THE DASH BOARD IS SEPERATING AT THE SEAMS ALL THE WAY TO THE AIR BAGS. IT MAY LEAD TO POSSIBLE AIR BAG DEPLOYEMENT ON PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10542398

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2013
Structure

NOTICED WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR IN 2009 WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A USED DEALERSHIP. A SMALL PIECE OF THE DASH WAS PEELING UP. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME BUT DASH HAS PRETTY MUCH LIFTED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE PASSENGERS SIDE. A LITTLE WORRIED THAT THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG MAY GO OFF.READ MANY FOR…

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NOTICED WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR IN 2009 WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A USED DEALERSHIP. A SMALL PIECE OF THE DASH WAS PEELING UP. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME BUT DASH HAS PRETTY MUCH LIFTED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE PASSENGERS SIDE. A LITTLE WORRIED THAT THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG MAY GO OFF.READ MANY FORUMS WHERE OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THERE DASH DOING THE SAME THING. THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. SEEN SEVERAL CARS LIKE MINE IN TOWN AND ALMOST EVERYONE I SEE HAS THE SAME DASH PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538320

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2013
Structure

THE INTERIOR FRONT DASHBOARD HAS CURLED UP STARTING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD EXTENDING ACROSS TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS I HAVE FOUND THAT MOST 2001 BUICK LESABRES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT RECTIFIED THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY RECALL OR RECOURSE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS EFFECTS THE AIR…

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THE INTERIOR FRONT DASHBOARD HAS CURLED UP STARTING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD EXTENDING ACROSS TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS I HAVE FOUND THAT MOST 2001 BUICK LESABRES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT RECTIFIED THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY RECALL OR RECOURSE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS EFFECTS THE AIRBAGS AND CAUSE THEM TO DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR GOD FORBID KILLED BECAUSE OF AN EXPLODING AIRBAG UNTIL GENERAL MOTORS ACTS ON THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THIS UNFORESEEN DEFECT. PLEASE HELP US OWNERS AND HAVE GENERAL MOTORS RECALL THE 2001 BUICK LESABRE.. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536841

104,000 miles · May 16, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT WITH AN SUV AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512466

214,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

REAR WINDOW REGULATOR HAVE MALFUNCTIONED FOR 3RD TIME IN BOTH REAR WINDOWS. OIL LEAKING FROM VALVE/HEADS CAUSING SMOKE UNDER HOOD. DOOR CONTROLS SHORTED OUT,AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSING DOORS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT CAUSE AND SWITCHING FROM DRIVER1 TO DRIVER2 AND BACK WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512045

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.