IllustrationROUTINE SERVICE REVEALED THAT I HAVE AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK IN THE MANIFOLD AREA. *NM
2002 Buick Lesabre
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Lesabre years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Buick Lesabre are substantially higher than the model-year median of 24.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lesabre years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
410–25K
4825–50K
4650–75K
3675–100K
31100–150K
18150K+
220 reports with mileage · 90 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 115 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports12 fire reports15 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
18 reportsI HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT I NEED TO CHANGE MY ANTIFREEZE FROM DEX-COOL TO ETHYLEN GLYCOL, AS THE DEXCOOLANT IS DIRTY AND SUGARY AND I AM LOOKING AT ELECTROLISIS PROBLEMS IN MY COOLING SYSTEM IF I DON'T CHANGE IT. WHY WOULD A REPUTABLE COMPANY LIKE BUICK PUT AN INFERIOR PRODUCT IN THEIR VEHICLE? IS THERE A CLASS ACT…
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I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT I NEED TO CHANGE MY ANTIFREEZE FROM DEX-COOL TO ETHYLEN GLYCOL, AS THE DEXCOOLANT IS DIRTY AND SUGARY AND I AM LOOKING AT ELECTROLISIS PROBLEMS IN MY COOLING SYSTEM IF I DON'T CHANGE IT. WHY WOULD A REPUTABLE COMPANY LIKE BUICK PUT AN INFERIOR PRODUCT IN THEIR VEHICLE? IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT BEING FILED AGAINST DEX COOLANT?. *AK
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE ENGINE TURNS OVER APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS. THIS FAILURE HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP RAN AN DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN WHICH NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE OCCURRED 3 TIMES . *AK
NHTSA#100003430 UPPER INTKAE MANIFOLD LEAKING
QUESTIONS CONCERNING 2002 BUICK LESABRE RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO ENGINE COOLANT LEAK IN UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR WHICH LEAD TO THE THROTTLE BODY GASKET OR THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED AN OIL LEAK IN THE VICINTITY OF THE SHROUD (PLASTIC). THE CONSUMER DID NOT AGREE WITH QUICK FIX THAT THE MANUAL S…
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QUESTIONS CONCERNING 2002 BUICK LESABRE RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO ENGINE COOLANT LEAK IN UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR WHICH LEAD TO THE THROTTLE BODY GASKET OR THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED AN OIL LEAK IN THE VICINTITY OF THE SHROUD (PLASTIC). THE CONSUMER DID NOT AGREE WITH QUICK FIX THAT THE MANUAL STATED . *SCC *JB
ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AT UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN REFERENCE TO AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. THE RECALL SAID THAT THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY FASTENERS WITH REDESIGNED FASTENERS AND ADD COOLANT SYSTEMS SEALANT TO THE RADIATOR TANK. THE CONSUMER THINKS THIS IS A QUICK FIX…
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ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AT UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN REFERENCE TO AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. THE RECALL SAID THAT THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY FASTENERS WITH REDESIGNED FASTENERS AND ADD COOLANT SYSTEMS SEALANT TO THE RADIATOR TANK. THE CONSUMER THINKS THIS IS A QUICK FIX AND THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE GASKETS AND BOLTS. *NLM
I NOTICED ENGINE OIL DROP ON DRIVEWAY. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE REAR MAIN SEAL AS REAR MAIN SEAL HOUSING COVER AND OIL PAN GASKET. THIS FIRST NOTICED WITH ONLY 9864 MILES ON THE NEW CAR. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT TO YOU TO SEE IF THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE.*AK
CONSUMER HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS. ALSO, EVERY TIME CONSUMER TURNS OFF VEHICLE AT NIGHT TIME ,HE COMES BACK NEXT MORNING , AND HAS NO BATTERY. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED, AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. TS......*AK
Official recalls
202V222000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
02V067000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
Mar 6, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
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
1EA02030 · 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.