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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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Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2008
Visibility

I HAVE 2002 BUCK LASABRE, CUSTOM; ONLY 22,000 MILES. ONLY I USE THE CAR , IT LOOKS LIKE NEW. ASKING DIRECTION, I OPENED RIGHT FRONT WINDOW. BUT I WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE IT. I OPEN FRONT WINDOWS ONLY IN RARE CASES - TO ASK SOMETHING; MAYBE 10-15 TIMES SINCE 2002. DURING THE NIGHT THE CAR REMAINED OPEN AND SOMEONE TOOK SPORTIVE…

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I HAVE 2002 BUCK LASABRE, CUSTOM; ONLY 22,000 MILES. ONLY I USE THE CAR , IT LOOKS LIKE NEW. ASKING DIRECTION, I OPENED RIGHT FRONT WINDOW. BUT I WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE IT. I OPEN FRONT WINDOWS ONLY IN RARE CASES - TO ASK SOMETHING; MAYBE 10-15 TIMES SINCE 2002. DURING THE NIGHT THE CAR REMAINED OPEN AND SOMEONE TOOK SPORTIVE SHOES AND ABOUT $12 THAT I FORGOT TO TAKE HOME. NEXT DAY I CAME TO BUICK AUTO SHOP (THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS WINDOW REGULATOR AND IT WOULD COST $760. I AM A RETIREE AND CAN'T PAY SUCH AMOUNT. I OPEN A PART OF THE DOOR AND FOUND OUT THAT THE REASON WAS A DEFECTED CAM. I NEEDED 3 SMALL PARTS ( AN UPPER FRONT CAM, WHEEL (BOTH FROM PLASTIC) AND A GUIDE (FROM METAL) THAT FIX THE CAM AND WHEEL TO THE FRAME. ALL THESE PARTS SHOULD COST ONLY SEVERAL DOLLARS BUT NOBODY GAVE ME THEIR NUMBERS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ORDER THEM. ON THE INTERNET I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. AS IF THE COMPANY DELIBERATELY PUT DEFECTED PARTS THAT CAN BE EASILY CHANGED BUT ONLY BY GM EMPLOYEES ( A CUSTOMER LEAVES UNNECESSARY DEFECTED UNIT) AND SOLD AGAIN AS NEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235663

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2008
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING WINDOW PASSENGER SIDE FELL DOWN AND COULD NOT BE BROUGHT UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235540

72,000 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Visibility

BROKEN REAR DRIVER WINDOW REGULATOR ON 2002 LESABRE BUICK. 72,000 MILES. LOWERING WINDOWS AND WINDOW STOPPED WORKING IN DOWN POSITION. $400 TO FIX AND 3-5 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232414

62,000 miles · May 23, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE REAR WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED AND AS A CONSEQUENCE THE WINDOW DEVICES ARE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THE REGULATORS WERE REPAIRED THREE TIMES AT AN EXPENSE OF $525.00 EACH. THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THE REGULATORS ARE POORLY DESIGNED AND WILL CONTINUE FAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE REAR WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED AND AS A CONSEQUENCE THE WINDOW DEVICES ARE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THE REGULATORS WERE REPAIRED THREE TIMES AT AN EXPENSE OF $525.00 EACH. THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THE REGULATORS ARE POORLY DESIGNED AND WILL CONTINUE FAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10228750

44,000 miles · May 16, 2008
Visibility

RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE, DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC CABLE GUIDE LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE REGULATOR. RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FAILED, FELL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR AND COULD NOT BE RAISED. THIS HAPPENED AUGUST 2006 APROX. NEXT THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER. THEN THE LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR…

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RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE, DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC CABLE GUIDE LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE REGULATOR. RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FAILED, FELL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR AND COULD NOT BE RAISED. THIS HAPPENED AUGUST 2006 APROX. NEXT THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER. THEN THE LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. ALL 3 WINDOWS HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, A PLASTIC GUIDE AT THE TOP OF THE REGULATOR IS GUIDING A METAL CABLE UNTO A PLASTIC WINDING SPOOL, WHEN THE GUIDE BREAKS THE CABLE BECOMES TANGLED ON THE SPOOL AND CAN NOT BE RAISED. I PAID FOR AND REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR RIGHT FRONT BEFORE THE OTHER 2 WINDOWS FAILED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GENERAL MOTORS, THEIR RESPONSE AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PART ONLY. I DON'T HAVE THE BILL FOR THE REGULATOR IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE COST WAS ABOUT $ 318.00 THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE REAR WINDOW REGULATORS REPAIR. I WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE THEN FILE A NEW CLAIM AND WAIT FOR THEIR ANSWER. I HAVE PROPPED BOTH REAR WINDOWS SHUT WITH A PIECE OF WOOD, THEY CAN NO LONGER BE LOWERED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228049

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2008
EquipmentVisibility

2002 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED 28,000 MILES. THE WINDOWS SIMPLY FALL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR. WE REPLACED ONE BACK WINDOW UNDER A YEAR AGO AT THE COST OF $600.00 DOLLARS. RECENTLY, THE OTHER BACK WINDOW DROPPED INSIDE THE DOOR. ON APRIL 28, 2008, BUICK CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT ADVISED PAYING THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM…

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2002 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED 28,000 MILES. THE WINDOWS SIMPLY FALL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR. WE REPLACED ONE BACK WINDOW UNDER A YEAR AGO AT THE COST OF $600.00 DOLLARS. RECENTLY, THE OTHER BACK WINDOW DROPPED INSIDE THE DOOR. ON APRIL 28, 2008, BUICK CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT ADVISED PAYING THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ON OTHER TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS, THE BUICK CONSUMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT HAS INFORMED OUR DAUGHTER WHO CALLED ON OUR BEHALF THAT NO RECALL FOR THE WINDOW PROBLEMS EXISTS ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225995

49,800 miles · Apr 24, 2008
Visibility

TWO OF FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED LEAVING THE WINDOWS IN THE DOWN POSITION. THERE WAS NO NOTICE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE WINDOWS WERE PUT IN THE DOWN POSITION AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. IT IS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN (AGES 2 & 4) COULD BE LEFT IN THE RAIN WITH NO WA…

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TWO OF FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED LEAVING THE WINDOWS IN THE DOWN POSITION. THERE WAS NO NOTICE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE WINDOWS WERE PUT IN THE DOWN POSITION AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. IT IS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN (AGES 2 & 4) COULD BE LEFT IN THE RAIN WITH NO WAY OF CLOSING THE WINDOW. I FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THESE WINDOW REGULATORS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 11/07 AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2/08. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225587

66,146 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Visibility

POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224553

40,000 miles · Mar 7, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL WINDOW CAME DOWN APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE BUTTON TO RAISE THE WINDOW AND IT DROPPED. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW DOES NOT OPERATE AT ALL. SIX MONTHS LATER, T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL WINDOW CAME DOWN APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE BUTTON TO RAISE THE WINDOW AND IT DROPPED. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW DOES NOT OPERATE AT ALL. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED OPERATING AS WELL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 04/03/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10220338

42,990 miles · Feb 19, 2008
Visibility

2002 BUICK LASABRE CUSTOM REGULATORS AT BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CABLE THAT GUIDES WINDOW UP AND DOWN JUMPED THE TRACKING AND WAS CHEWED AND TWISTED MAKING IT NECESSARY TO BE REPLACED COSTING $400 AT EACH OCCURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218521

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.