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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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71,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Visibility

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEB 2008. IN NOVEMBER 2008, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW STARTED HAVING ISSUES GOING BACK UP AFTER BEING OPENED. IT WOULD GO ABOUT 1/2 WAY UP AND GET STUCK. I WOULD THEN HAVE TO PULL OVER AND FORCE THE WINDOW CLOSED. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WINTER. THEN MORE RECENTLY(10/8/09),…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEB 2008. IN NOVEMBER 2008, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW STARTED HAVING ISSUES GOING BACK UP AFTER BEING OPENED. IT WOULD GO ABOUT 1/2 WAY UP AND GET STUCK. I WOULD THEN HAVE TO PULL OVER AND FORCE THE WINDOW CLOSED. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WINTER. THEN MORE RECENTLY(10/8/09), AS WEATHER STARTED GETTING COLD AGAIN, THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING. EXCEPT THIS TIME, THE WINDOW DOESN'T GO BACK UP AT ALL. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND CAN BE DISTRACTING WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD. MY MAIN CONCERN IS GOING THROUGH TOLL BOOTHS IN MID WINTER, 20 DEGREE WEATHER AND NOT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE MY WINDOW. THIS HAPPENED LAST WINTER AND I NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. I WAS QUOTED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WOULD COST $600 TO REPLACE. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND THEREFORE CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286907

75,000 miles · Aug 17, 2009
Visibility

DRIVER'S SIDE CAR WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280768

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2009
Visibility

POWER WINDOW REGULATORS NOT WORKING. I HAVE 3 WINDOWS TO DROP DOWN, REPAIRED ONE AT DEALER FOR $450, DISCONNECTED THE OTHER 2 AND BLOCKED THEM UP. THE 1ST HAPPENED ABOUT 3 YRS AGO, THE 2ND HAPPENED ABOUT 1 YR. AGO AND THE 3RD THIS AUG 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280507

45,000 miles · Jul 29, 2009
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HER VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY FELL INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE REPLACED BOTH WINDOWS TWICE FOR THE SAME FAILURE.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HER VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY FELL INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE REPLACED BOTH WINDOWS TWICE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10278650

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2009
Visibility

THE POWER WINDOWS ON MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE KEEP BREAKING. BOTH BACK WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW RECENTLY FAILED. A REGULATOR IN THE POWER WINDOW FAILS AND THE WINDOW RETRACTS/SLAMS INTO THE DOOR PERMANANTLY. THIS IS VERY STARTLING WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE ROAD AND NEARLY CAUSED ME TO WRECK THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278259

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2009
Visibility

RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE ON 24JUN09 AND LEFT SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE ON 13JUL09. BOTH WINDOWS FIXED IN UP POSITION AT LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR FOR EACH WINDOW IS OVER $400. MECHANICS STATES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS MODEL AND EXPECT THE OTHER TWO WINDOW REGULATORS TO FAIL. CON…

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RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE ON 24JUN09 AND LEFT SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE ON 13JUL09. BOTH WINDOWS FIXED IN UP POSITION AT LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR FOR EACH WINDOW IS OVER $400. MECHANICS STATES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS MODEL AND EXPECT THE OTHER TWO WINDOW REGULATORS TO FAIL. CONTACTED GM/BUICK AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL AND FIX OF THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT. PART IS MADE OF METAL AND PLASTIC (METAL CHAIN THAT GOES OVER A PLASTIC WHEEL). RESEARCHED INTERNET FOR CUSTOMER FEEDBACK ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MECHANISM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278250

60,000 miles · Jul 16, 2009
Visibility

WINDOWS FALL. THREE OF FOUR WINDOWS SO FAR FALL INTO THE DOOR AFTER THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM AND BE HEARD TO SNAP INSIDE THE DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276965

44,000 miles · Jun 4, 2009
Visibility

REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DROPPED DOWN BY ITSELF FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. IT HAD NOT BEEN USED SINCE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ALSO DROPPED DOWN AND WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO. WE HAD NOT USED THE REAR WINDOWS ON PURPOSE BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN WINDOW REGULATOR DEFECT WHICH NO ONE HAS RECALLED. HOWEVER, THE WINDOW FELL BY ITSELF ANYWAY…

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REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DROPPED DOWN BY ITSELF FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. IT HAD NOT BEEN USED SINCE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ALSO DROPPED DOWN AND WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO. WE HAD NOT USED THE REAR WINDOWS ON PURPOSE BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN WINDOW REGULATOR DEFECT WHICH NO ONE HAS RECALLED. HOWEVER, THE WINDOW FELL BY ITSELF ANYWAY. THE 3 OR 4 INCH GAP OF OPEN SPACE IS NOW TAPED OVER, BUT IT IS UNSECURED AND COULD EASILY BREAK. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY THE $500 IT TAKES TO GET IT FIXED. NHTSA SHOULD FORCE A RECALL FOR THIS COMMON RECURRING DEFECT WHICH IS UNSAFE AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272849

146,304 miles · Mar 1, 2009
Visibility

THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND DROPPED DOWN. THE WINDOW HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDOW TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PREVIOUSLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR BECAME DEFECTIVE AND INOPERATIVE. THE WINDOW REGULATOR IS GOING OUT ONE AT A TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260374

22,000 miles · Jan 23, 2009
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FAILED TWICE. BOTH REAR WINDOWS ALSO FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FAILED TWICE. BOTH REAR WINDOWS ALSO FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10256111

Official recalls

2

02V222000 · 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

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.