DRIVERS SIDE BACK WINDOW, FELL DOWN. TO GET REPAIRED WOULD BE $458. SO WINDOW WAS BLOCKED UP WITH 4 PIECES OF WOOD BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A COUPLE IN THEIR LATE 70'S & 80. IN THE WINTERTIME. ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
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
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.
Visibility complaints
115 reportsI ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE, PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WENT DOWN AND THAT?S WHERE IT STAYED. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS PROVEN OUT THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON BUICKS OF THIS ERA AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS USING THE REGULATOR MECHANISMS FROM THE SUPPLIER TO GM. MY BILL ENDED UP OVER 500 DOLLARS FOR REPAIR AT A …
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I ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE, PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WENT DOWN AND THAT?S WHERE IT STAYED. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS PROVEN OUT THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON BUICKS OF THIS ERA AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS USING THE REGULATOR MECHANISMS FROM THE SUPPLIER TO GM. MY BILL ENDED UP OVER 500 DOLLARS FOR REPAIR AT A GM DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, VERIFIED BY ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION DEPARTMENT AND SPOKE WITH A GENTLEMAN WHO ALSO VERIFIED IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, BUT GM WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEM AFTER EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TRADING AS I AM FEARFUL OF WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS WITH THE OTHER WINDOWS AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM. *TR
THREE OF MY WINDOWS ON MY 2002 BUICK LASABRE LIMITED HAVE ALL FAILED. THE WINDOW HAS DETACHED FROM THE MOTOR, IT SEEMS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, YET NO RECALL TO FIX IT IS OFFERED. I CANNOT OPEN THESE WINDOWS BECAUSE I WOULD BE DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO GET THEM BACK UP. THE COST TO FIX…
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THREE OF MY WINDOWS ON MY 2002 BUICK LASABRE LIMITED HAVE ALL FAILED. THE WINDOW HAS DETACHED FROM THE MOTOR, IT SEEMS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, YET NO RECALL TO FIX IT IS OFFERED. I CANNOT OPEN THESE WINDOWS BECAUSE I WOULD BE DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO GET THEM BACK UP. THE COST TO FIX THIS IS ABOUT $200 - $400. NOT ONLY SHOULD I NOT HAVE TO PAY TO FIX AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM, BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO. I AM AMAZED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. *TR
IN MAR, 2008 THE RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND THE WINDOW WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AT 47,827 MILES; I HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $373.00; THEN IN OCTOBER, 2008 THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW FAILED AND WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, AT 53,612 MILES. DUE TO THE COST OF THE REGULATOR I HAD IT SKET…
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IN MAR, 2008 THE RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND THE WINDOW WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AT 47,827 MILES; I HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $373.00; THEN IN OCTOBER, 2008 THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW FAILED AND WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, AT 53,612 MILES. DUE TO THE COST OF THE REGULATOR I HAD IT SKETCHED IN THE CLOSED POSITION WHICH COST ME $78.53; THEN IN NOV.2008 THE LEFT REAR WINDOW STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AT 54,054 MILES. I ALSO HAD IT SCOTCHED SHUT AT A COST TO ME OF $75.25. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH GENERAL MOTORS, BUICK DIVISION TODAY. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AND CORRECTED BY GENERAL MOTORS/ BUICK. *TR
ELECTRIC WINDOW MECHANISM HAS FAILED ON BOTH REAR WINDOWS. FAILURE OCCURED WHILE LOWERING THE WINDOW WITH THE UP/DOWN SWITCH LOCATED ON THE DOOR. BOTH WINDOWS FAILED WHEN THEY WERE APROXIATELY 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN. THE WINDOWS WERE EACH OPERATED ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE FAILURE. THE RIGHT REAR WAS THE FIRST TO FAIL. WA…
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ELECTRIC WINDOW MECHANISM HAS FAILED ON BOTH REAR WINDOWS. FAILURE OCCURED WHILE LOWERING THE WINDOW WITH THE UP/DOWN SWITCH LOCATED ON THE DOOR. BOTH WINDOWS FAILED WHEN THEY WERE APROXIATELY 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN. THE WINDOWS WERE EACH OPERATED ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE FAILURE. THE RIGHT REAR WAS THE FIRST TO FAIL. WAS REPAIRED AT OFFICIAL BUICK DEALERSHIP BY REPLACING ENTIRE MECHANISM AT A COST OF $666.00. LEFT REAR FAILED NEXT, AND HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2002 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED EARLY IN 2007, BY SUMMERTIME THE PASSENGER WINDOW, AND BOTH REAR WINDOWS FELL WITHOUT BEING USED, I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT WINDOW MOTOR AND NOW THEY ARE WORKING OK, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS DIFFICULTY GOING UP AND DOWN, I REPLACED THE WINDOW MOTOR AND IT IS STILL HAVING DIFFICULTY, THO…
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I BOUGHT A 2002 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED EARLY IN 2007, BY SUMMERTIME THE PASSENGER WINDOW, AND BOTH REAR WINDOWS FELL WITHOUT BEING USED, I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT WINDOW MOTOR AND NOW THEY ARE WORKING OK, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS DIFFICULTY GOING UP AND DOWN, I REPLACED THE WINDOW MOTOR AND IT IS STILL HAVING DIFFICULTY, THOUGH THIS TIME IT IS DUE TO THE WINDOW TRACK BEING DRY. THIS WINDOW PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED, MANY OTHER LESABRE OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL 4 WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN 2008 AND FOR OVER A YEAR I WAS DRIVING A CAR WITH NO WORKING WINDOWS, THIS MAY NOT APPEAR LIKE A PROBLEM THAT WOULD LEAD TO DEATH OR INJURY, BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEHOW THERE IS A FIRE IN THE CAR AND YOU NEED TO PULL DOWN YOUR WINDOWS, OR DURING THE WINTER YOUR WINDOW GETS FOGGY AND YOU NEED TO PULL IT DOWN TO BE ABLE TO SEE, WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN WARM UP THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING, A WINDOW CAN GET FOGGY VERY QUICKLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 40 DEGREES AND PULLING DOWN A WINDOW TO BE ABLE TO SEE TO MAKE A TURN SAFELY COULD BE A LIFE SAVING EVENT. *TR
GENERAL MOTORS 2002 BUICK LESABRE WINDOW MOTORS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR 5 YEARS AND I HAVE REPLACED 2 WINDOW MOTORS. TWO WERE COVERED BY WARRANTY. TWO I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE AND NOW THE LAST WINDOW THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED HAS FAILED. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM IN THE DESIGN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW WAS FAILING. AS A RESULT, THE WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN OCCASIONALLY. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR IN THE WINDOW WAS FAILING. AS A RESULT, THE WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN OCCASIONALLY. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO THEFT OR HER CHILDREN COULD CRAWL OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT COULD NOT BE WASHED BECAUSE THE TWO REAR WINDOWS HAD DROPPED DOWN INTO THE DOOR AND WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR CABLE GUIDES WERE CRACKED AND TWISTED. THE CABLES WERE REPLACED AT THE C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT COULD NOT BE WASHED BECAUSE THE TWO REAR WINDOWS HAD DROPPED DOWN INTO THE DOOR AND WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR CABLE GUIDES WERE CRACKED AND TWISTED. THE CABLES WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $250 AND THE DEALER WAS REIMBURSED BY GM. ON AUGUST 6, 2008, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAILED REGULATOR AND IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $674.04. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,283 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,135.
2002 BUICK LE SABRE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND REPLACED BOTH REAR WINDOWS AND DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. *TR
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.
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