IllustrationPOWER WINDOW FAILURE. *JB
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
Visibility complaints
115 reportsI JUST NOTICED MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS DOWN. I NEVER USE THE REAR WINDOWS. I COULD NOT RAISE IT WITH THE POWER BUTTON. MY FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE CONTROLS AT ALL. MY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WENT OUT WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS HAD SEVERAL OF THESE AND INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS WE…
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I JUST NOTICED MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS DOWN. I NEVER USE THE REAR WINDOWS. I COULD NOT RAISE IT WITH THE POWER BUTTON. MY FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE CONTROLS AT ALL. MY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WENT OUT WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS HAD SEVERAL OF THESE AND INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS WERE AMAZING. SOME PEOPLE REPORTED AS MANY AS 3 SEPARATE OCCURRENCES OF WINDOW FAILURE( OR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE).JB
WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE THREE WINDOWS. *JB
3 POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED ON MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR POWER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REGULATOR AND MOTOR WERE BAD.
BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS FAILED OPERATION IN DOWN POSITION. DEALER STATED THIS WAS COMMON AND WOULD COST OWNER $1000 TO FIX BOTH WINDOWS. OWNERS ARE RETIRED ON FIXED INCOME WITH NO PASSENGERS IN READ SEATING. REAR WINDOWS RARELY OPERATED. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE REGULATOR WAS BAD AND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REGULATOR. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED THE OLD PART. THERE WAS CONCERN EXPRESSED THAT THE OTHER POWER WINDOWS WILL ALSO FAI…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE REGULATOR WAS BAD AND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REGULATOR. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED THE OLD PART. THERE WAS CONCERN EXPRESSED THAT THE OTHER POWER WINDOWS WILL ALSO FAIL.
POWER WINDOW DROPPED OR FELL INTO DOOR AND BROKE AFTER FAILURE OF REGULATOR OR TRACK. THIS IS THE THIRD SUCH INCIDENT ON THE SAME VEHICLE IN APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS, BUT INVOLVED A DIFFERENT WINDOW EACH TIME. EACH REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $500. BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CLAIM IT HAS NOT RECEIVED AN UNUSUAL NUMBER OF COMPL…
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POWER WINDOW DROPPED OR FELL INTO DOOR AND BROKE AFTER FAILURE OF REGULATOR OR TRACK. THIS IS THE THIRD SUCH INCIDENT ON THE SAME VEHICLE IN APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS, BUT INVOLVED A DIFFERENT WINDOW EACH TIME. EACH REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $500. BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CLAIM IT HAS NOT RECEIVED AN UNUSUAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, BUT MANUFACTURER HAS RELEASED AT LEAST ONE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM (TSB #3483, NHTSA ID #10017398). *JB
I OWN TWO BUICK LESABRE'S, ONE IS FROM 2000 AND THE OTHER IS FROM 2002. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE OR ARE UNDER 50,000 MILES. THE WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING IN THREE OF THE 2000 MODEL AND TWO OF THE WINDOWS IN THE 2002 MODEL NO LONGER WORK. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN 1-7 DAYS OF EACH OTHER ON EACH VEHICLE. SEEMS TO BE TIMED. *…
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I OWN TWO BUICK LESABRE'S, ONE IS FROM 2000 AND THE OTHER IS FROM 2002. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE OR ARE UNDER 50,000 MILES. THE WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING IN THREE OF THE 2000 MODEL AND TWO OF THE WINDOWS IN THE 2002 MODEL NO LONGER WORK. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN 1-7 DAYS OF EACH OTHER ON EACH VEHICLE. SEEMS TO BE TIMED. *JB
RECENTLY, MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE (PURCHASED NEW IN 2002) HAD THE TWO REAR WINDOWS FAIL WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. IN BOTH CASES, THE CABLE WHICH RAISES/LOWERS THE WINDOW BROKE. THE CABLE CANNOT BE REPLACED ALONE BUT THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR MUST ALSO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THIS AT A GM DEALER WAS $479.00 WHILE THE SAME…
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RECENTLY, MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE (PURCHASED NEW IN 2002) HAD THE TWO REAR WINDOWS FAIL WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. IN BOTH CASES, THE CABLE WHICH RAISES/LOWERS THE WINDOW BROKE. THE CABLE CANNOT BE REPLACED ALONE BUT THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR MUST ALSO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THIS AT A GM DEALER WAS $479.00 WHILE THE SAME JOB COST $290 AT A NON-GM REPAIR CENTER (GEMINI/GOODYEAR). I LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH BUICK AND THEN RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. I FOUND A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON A 1999 BUICK LESABRE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND ONE WHICH IS KNOWN TO BUICK FOR SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO THE 2002 MODEL. WHILE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE (UNLESS THERE IS ADVERSE WEATHER SUCH AS FREEZING COLD OR DRIVING RAIN), IT IS AN ECONOMIC ONE. WHY NO RECALL BY BUICK? IS IT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM CROPS UP AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. I SUSPECT SO. *JB
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.