I HAVE HAD TO PLACE 3 WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE PAST YEAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SOME PLASTIC PIECE ON THE REGULATOR IS FAILING. I'VE RESEARCHED AND SEEN THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. ALSO I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. *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.
What owners actually said
310 reportsLTR ADDRESSED TO THE POTUS RE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON HIS 2002 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM, INQUIRING WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT DO THROUGH GM TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE HIM; FOR THE ADMINISTRATORS SIGNATURE. *KB ALL FOUR OF THE WINDOW REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE SEALANT HOLDING THE COVER TO THE DASHBOARD CAME APART, WHICH CAUSED A LARGE…
Read full complaint
LTR ADDRESSED TO THE POTUS RE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON HIS 2002 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM, INQUIRING WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT DO THROUGH GM TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE HIM; FOR THE ADMINISTRATORS SIGNATURE. *KB ALL FOUR OF THE WINDOW REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE SEALANT HOLDING THE COVER TO THE DASHBOARD CAME APART, WHICH CAUSED A LARGE GAP NEAR THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. SHE NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAD FALLEN INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOW. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42000. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN THE FUEL PRESS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. SHE NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAD FALLEN INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOW. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42000. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS LEAKING. THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. UPDATED 02/03/10.*JB
REGARDING MY 2002 BUICK LA SABRE, LIMITED EDITION I AM IN OTTAWA CANADA - THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON THIS CAR ARE ALL FAULTY AND I HAVE HEARD THIS SAME COMPLAINT FROM COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AUGUST 2002 IN GOOD FAITH AND DID NOT EXPECT THIS KIND OF TROUBLE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR THE FRONT AND…
Read full complaint
REGARDING MY 2002 BUICK LA SABRE, LIMITED EDITION I AM IN OTTAWA CANADA - THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON THIS CAR ARE ALL FAULTY AND I HAVE HEARD THIS SAME COMPLAINT FROM COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AUGUST 2002 IN GOOD FAITH AND DID NOT EXPECT THIS KIND OF TROUBLE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR THE FRONT AND BACK WINDOWS STARTED HAVING ISSUES IN PUTTING THE WINDOWS BACK UP AFTER BEING OPENED. AFTER MANY INVESTIGATIONS IN OLEANS , CANADA THE DEALER CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATORS AND IT WOULD COST ME $400 TO REPLACE JUST ONE WINDOW REGULATOR ALONE THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN GOING ON EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND IT IS WELL KNOW IN THE CAR INDUSTRY THAT THIS PARTICULAR 2002 BUICK LA SABRE, LTD EDITION HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS MAINLY IN THIS AREA (REGULATORS) BUT GM IS AVOIDING ANY RECALLS ON THIS AND TO ME THIS IS TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE ON GM'S PART NOT TO DO A RECALL ON THESE REGULATORS, IT IS ACTUALLY A COMPLETE AVOIDANCE OF THERE RESPONSIBLE, THEY HAVE JUST BEEN TOTALLY DERELICT IN THEIR DUTY AS A MANUFACTURER AND JUST LETTING THE CUSTOMER TAKE THE FULL FINANCIAL BRUNT OF GMS INEPTNESS TO SUPPLY QUALITY PARTS IN THEIR WINDOW MECHANISMS,,,,,,,,,,, NAMELY THE CHEAP REGULATORS! WILL ANYONE DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS IRRESPONSIBLE AND TROUBLESOME SAFETY ISSUE??????????????????? *TR
I LOWERED THE WINDOWS AND WHEN I WENT TO RAISE THE REAR-PASSENGER THERE WAS A "CRACK" NOISE AND IT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE PLASTIC PART, AT THE TOP OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR, HAD BROKEN - CAUSING THE WIRE, WHICH RUNS THROUGH THE REGULATOR, MOVING THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN, TO JUST COIL UP INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL. I WENT TO A DEALERSH…
Read full complaint
I LOWERED THE WINDOWS AND WHEN I WENT TO RAISE THE REAR-PASSENGER THERE WAS A "CRACK" NOISE AND IT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE PLASTIC PART, AT THE TOP OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR, HAD BROKEN - CAUSING THE WIRE, WHICH RUNS THROUGH THE REGULATOR, MOVING THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN, TO JUST COIL UP INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL. I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM QUOTE ME THE COST OF REPAIRING AND WAS EVENTUALLY TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD RUN ME ~$700. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART ALONE WAS ~$400. I DIDN'T HAVE THEM FIX IT... BECAUSE I WAS EXPECTING A ~$75 REPAIR... NOT ~$700! I TAPED UP THE WINDOW (WHICH I HATE BEING "THAT CAR") AND DECIDED TO GET ANOTHER QUOTE. AT THE TIME I WAS INCREDIBLY BUSY WITH WORK AND DIDN'T GET AROUND TO IT THOUGH. ROUGHLY A MONTH LATER THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY FRONT-PASSENGER WINDOW. I NOW HAVE BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HELD UP BY TAPE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. I HAVE TRIED LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SUBMIT PROBLEMS WITH CARS TO BUICK DIRECTLY, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD TO ONLY GO TO A DEALERSHIP AND TELL THEM.... AND I'VE ALREADY BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NO LUCK. I HAVE TAKEN MY DOOR PANEL OFF TO TRY AND FIX MYSELF AND WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS JUST THAT THE TOP PART OF THE REGULATOR, WHICH IS BASICALLY JUST A TRACK FOR THE WIRE TO RUN IN AS THE WINDOW GOES UP AND DOWN, WAS CHEAP PLASTIC. THE REST OF THE REGULATOR IS STEAL, AND THE PART THAT HAS ALL THE TENSION FROM THE WIRE RUNNING OVER IT, IS PLASTIC. RIDICULOUS. *TR
WINDOW REGULATORS ARE VERY PRONE TO FAIL. THREE HAVE FAILED ON MY CAR, AND ONE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON SEVERAL GM CARS. THE WINDOW CAN FALL OPEN AND WILL NOT CLOSE WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THIS IS ALSO EXPENSIVE AND A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON OWNERS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN AD…
Read full complaint
WINDOW REGULATORS ARE VERY PRONE TO FAIL. THREE HAVE FAILED ON MY CAR, AND ONE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON SEVERAL GM CARS. THE WINDOW CAN FALL OPEN AND WILL NOT CLOSE WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THIS IS ALSO EXPENSIVE AND A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON OWNERS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED SOME TIME AGO. *TR
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),…
Read full complaint
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
DRIVER'S SIDE CAR WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN. *TR
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
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.…
Read full complaint
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.
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.
Illustration