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
What owners actually said
310 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2009
Structure
THE DASH IN MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE IS COMING UP AND I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY I WILL BE GOING SOMEWHERE AND BE IN EVEN A LITTLE FENDER BENDER OR MAYBE NOT NOTHING AT ALL AND IT WILL COME ON OFF .IT IS LIKE THE GLUE THEY USED TO MOLD IT DOWN HAS COME UNDONE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT .I BOUGHT THE CAR USED LAST JUNE THIS STARTED LIKE R…
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THE DASH IN MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE IS COMING UP AND I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY I WILL BE GOING SOMEWHERE AND BE IN EVEN A LITTLE FENDER BENDER OR MAYBE NOT NOTHING AT ALL AND IT WILL COME ON OFF .IT IS LIKE THE GLUE THEY USED TO MOLD IT DOWN HAS COME UNDONE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT .I BOUGHT THE CAR USED LAST JUNE THIS STARTED LIKE RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE ALL THE TIME AND NOW I AM GETTING REALLY WORRIED SOMEONE WILL GET HURT IF IT CONTINUES TO COME A LOOSE .SO IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR MAYBE EVEN DEATH TO SOMEONE WITH THE EXTRA PIECES COMING UP LIKE THAT .THE CORNER DOWN NEXT TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT IS ALSO STARTING TO STICK SOME ALSO SO IT WOULD PROBABLE NOT BE A GOOD IDEA FOR SOMEONE TO LET THEIR SMALL CHILDREN OR MAYBE EVEN AN ADULT TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE I THINK THAT THE DASH COULD BE HARMFUL TO ANYONE EVEN THE DRIVER IF ANYONE ELSES STARTS TO STICK UP LIKE MINE DOES .THE THOUGHT THAT IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED SO HOPEFUL NOBODY WILL NOT LOSE THEIR LIFE IN AN ACCIDENT. BUICK LESABRE 2002 MODEL . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278332
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
107,000 miles · Jul 10, 2009
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON. UPDATED 08/06/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10276322
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
68,330 miles · May 27, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE HARD AND CAUSED RIDGES IN THE ROTORS. THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $620. THE CONTA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE HARD AND CAUSED RIDGES IN THE ROTORS. THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $620. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,330 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,400.
NHTSA ODI #10270047
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
100,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Visibility
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
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.
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.
2002 Buick Lesabre Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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