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
117,000 miles · May 13, 2013
Structure
THE DASHBOARD BETWEEN THE AIR VENT AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD IS CURLING UP AND COMING OFF. FROM MY RESEARCH, PRETTY MUCH ALL THE '01 THROUGH '05 BUICKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS WILL ONLY GET WORSE AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY FOR …
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THE DASHBOARD BETWEEN THE AIR VENT AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD IS CURLING UP AND COMING OFF. FROM MY RESEARCH, PRETTY MUCH ALL THE '01 THROUGH '05 BUICKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS WILL ONLY GET WORSE AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY FOR NO REASON AND HARM THE PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE BADLY. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511686
50,000 miles · Jan 23, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibility
THE WINDOWS OF THIS CAR ARE UNDEPENDABLE. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT DEFECTIVE MOTORS REGULATORS DO NOT WORK. ALL FOUR WINDOWS ARE A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT BY A WINDOW IF NEED BE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE BUICK LESABRE 2001. BUICK MANUFACTURING WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM W…
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THE WINDOWS OF THIS CAR ARE UNDEPENDABLE. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT DEFECTIVE MOTORS REGULATORS DO NOT WORK. ALL FOUR WINDOWS ARE A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT BY A WINDOW IF NEED BE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE BUICK LESABRE 2001. BUICK MANUFACTURING WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR WINDOWS. BUICK STATES THAT THE CARS ARE PAST WARRANTY AND THEREFORE WILL NOT DO ANY THING ABOUT IT. I INCLUDE THESE TWO SITES AS EVIDENCE TO THIS FACT AND HOW WIDE SPREAD THIS PROBLEM IS. HTTP://GOOGLEADS.G.DOUBLECLICK.NET/PAGEAD/ADS?CLIENT=CA-PUB-6617098213423805&OUTPUT=HTML&H=90&SLOTNAME=7952013016&W=728&LMT=1358582400&FLASH=11.4.402.265&URL=HTTP%3A%2F%2FWWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM%2FCOMPLAINT%2F2001%2FBUICK%2FLESABRE%2FPOWER%2BWINDOW&DT=1358997446843&BPP=16&SHV=R20130122&JSV=R20121214&PREV_SLOTNAMES=6969891371&CORRELATOR=1358997446734&FRM=20&ADK=1032090657&GA_VID=657897228.1358997064&GA_SID=1358997064&GA_HID=919312188&GA_FC=1&U_TZ=-360&U_HIS=6&U_JAVA=1&U_H=768&U_W=1280&U_AH=738&U_AW=1280&U_CD=32&U_NPLUG=0&U_NMIME=0&DFF=ARIAL&DFS=12&ADX=265&ADY=1015&BIW=1259&BIH=644&OID=3&REF=HTTP%3A%2F%2FWWW.GOOGLE.COM%2FURL%3FSA%3DT%26RCT%3DJ%26Q%3D%26ESRC%3DS%26FRM%3D1%26SOURCE%3DWEB%26CD%3D5%26VED%3D0CFGQFJAE%26URL%3DHTTP%253A%252F%252FWWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM%252FCOMPLAINT%252F2001%252FBUICK%252FLESABRE%252FPOWER%252BWINDOW%26EI%3DJQQAUBWZHSBH0WGF_IGGDA%26USG%3DAFQJCNEP6YWAWYZGKEYUTPLIH1JJFUUBHG%26SIG2%3DVLPVERP_XPOBZYTN06RIKA&DOCM=8&FU=0&IFI=2&DTD=94&XPC=DGPDFQUZHD&P=HTTP%3A//WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/BUICK/LESABRE/2001/WINDOWS_WINDSHIELD/POWER_WINDOW_STOPPED_WORKING.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494523
107,000 miles · Nov 22, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY BUICKS AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO GOOD REASON AND CAUSED ME TO REAR END A FELLOW EMPLOYEE AT A LIGHT. I WAS DUMBFOUNDED BY THE ACCIDENT AND WAS WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE I RECALLED NO RED LIGHT OR SEEING BRAKE LIGHTS. I AM SO HAPPY THAT MY FELLOW EMPLOYEE ARE NOT DETRI…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY BUICKS AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO GOOD REASON AND CAUSED ME TO REAR END A FELLOW EMPLOYEE AT A LIGHT. I WAS DUMBFOUNDED BY THE ACCIDENT AND WAS WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE I RECALLED NO RED LIGHT OR SEEING BRAKE LIGHTS. I AM SO HAPPY THAT MY FELLOW EMPLOYEE ARE NOT DETRIMENTALLY INJURED BY THIS. THE BAG APPARENTLY SHOCKED ME AND THE DASHBOARD BLINDED ME SO I HAD NO WAY TO REACT.. I SURE HOPE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT. I THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT THE TIME. I AM ALSO EXPECTING BUICK TO REPLACE MY CAR AT THE SAME VALUE ATLEAST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485816
69,500 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Structure
I HAVE A 2001 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE WINDOW MOLDING AND HAS BUCKLED UP HALF WAY ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IF IT GOES ALL THE WAY ACROSS IT CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG(S) TO DEPLOY POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY. OTHER THAN THIS THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION PREVIOUSLY OWN…
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I HAVE A 2001 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE WINDOW MOLDING AND HAS BUCKLED UP HALF WAY ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IF IT GOES ALL THE WAY ACROSS IT CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG(S) TO DEPLOY POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY. OTHER THAN THIS THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY AN OLDER COUPLE WHO, ALMOST LITERALLY, DROVE IT TO CHURCH AND THE GROCERY STORE. I LOVE MY CAR BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA ODI #10477781
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2012
Structure
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE DASHBOARD. I PURCHASED THE CAR ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO. INITIALLY THERE WERE NOT PROBLEMS. AS THE YEARS PROGRESSED, I NOTICED A STEADY SEPARATION OF THE DASHBOARD AND IT STARTED FORMING A VERY VISIBLE HUMP. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND DISCOVERED I WAS NOT ALONE IN EXPRESSING MY CONCERN: H…
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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE DASHBOARD. I PURCHASED THE CAR ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO. INITIALLY THERE WERE NOT PROBLEMS. AS THE YEARS PROGRESSED, I NOTICED A STEADY SEPARATION OF THE DASHBOARD AND IT STARTED FORMING A VERY VISIBLE HUMP. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND DISCOVERED I WAS NOT ALONE IN EXPRESSING MY CONCERN: HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-C5295_DS45613. I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS MATTER BE DISCUSSED AND PHYSICALLY LOOKED INTO. GOD FORBID THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY FOR NO REASON AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475836
47,850 miles · Aug 19, 2012
StructureVisibility
WINDOW REGULATORS FAIL DUE TO POOR DESIGN ON PART OF MANUFACTUER. WINDOW IS STUCK IN A DOWN POSTION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471430
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2012
Structure
THE DASH BOARD COVER IS SEPARATING OR "CRUMPLED" I AM CONCERNED THIS 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 MANY OTHER BUICK LESABRES DO…
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THE DASH BOARD COVER IS SEPARATING OR "CRUMPLED" I AM CONCERNED THIS 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 MANY OTHER BUICK LESABRES DOING THE SAME THING. HOW CAN THIS ISSUE BE CONDONED BY GM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469508
50,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Power TrainStructureVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD BEGUN SEPARATING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAT AND TEMPERATURE CHANGES, WHICH DETERIORATED THE MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR AND THE DEALER OFFERED NO FURTH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD BEGUN SEPARATING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAT AND TEMPERATURE CHANGES, WHICH DETERIORATED THE MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR AND THE DEALER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN UPDATED 10/11/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10469362
53,134 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DASHBOARD DETACHED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD DETACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,134 AND THE CUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DASHBOARD DETACHED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD DETACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,134 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,200.
NHTSA ODI #10461664
65,000 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Structure
IN AUGUST OF 2011 THE DASH PANEL OF MY BUICK LESABRE STARTED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD HIDER MOULDING AND A LUMP STARTED TO APPEAR IN BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND MOVE TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM WORRIED THAT IT WILL AFFECT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM WHICH IS UNDER THE DASH COVER ON THE PASSENGERS SI…
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IN AUGUST OF 2011 THE DASH PANEL OF MY BUICK LESABRE STARTED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD HIDER MOULDING AND A LUMP STARTED TO APPEAR IN BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND MOVE TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM WORRIED THAT IT WILL AFFECT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM WHICH IS UNDER THE DASH COVER ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN PRODUCTION OF THE DASH PANEL COVER BUT GM WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT OTHER THAN DIRECT ME TO RETURN IT TO THE DEALER AND PAY UPWARDS OF $1000.00 OR MORE TO CORRECT A DEFECT THAT GM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE YEARS THAT THE LESABRE HAS THIS PROBLEM SPANS AT LEAST 2001 TO 2005 THAT I KNOW OF AND YET THEY REFUSE TO RECALL THE VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE DEFECT THAT THEY PRODUCED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS DEFECT HAS OR WILL IN THE FUTURE CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH BUT LET US NOT WAIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. A RECALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES IS MOST DEFINITELY WARRANTED AND SHOULD BE FORCED TO TAKE PLACE BY THE GOVERNMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10461244
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