IllustrationWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WATER IS LEAKING INSIDE THE TRUNK. *AK *MR
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
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 reportsI HAVE LOST 6 PLASTIC WHEEL LUG COVERS (GM PART #09595118) SINCE AUGUST 23, 2002. THE FIRST INCIDENT TOOK PLACE 8/23/02 WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON RTE 17 IN NYS. ON SEPT 13, 2003 I LOST TWO MORE WHILE DRIVING 30MPH. IN FEBRUARY 2003 AND ON AUG 1, 2003 I LOST ONE EACH. I ALWAYS CHECK THAT THEY ARE ON TIGHT, BUT THEY STILL DROP OFF.…
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I HAVE LOST 6 PLASTIC WHEEL LUG COVERS (GM PART #09595118) SINCE AUGUST 23, 2002. THE FIRST INCIDENT TOOK PLACE 8/23/02 WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON RTE 17 IN NYS. ON SEPT 13, 2003 I LOST TWO MORE WHILE DRIVING 30MPH. IN FEBRUARY 2003 AND ON AUG 1, 2003 I LOST ONE EACH. I ALWAYS CHECK THAT THEY ARE ON TIGHT, BUT THEY STILL DROP OFF.*AK
I NOTICED ENGINE OIL DROP ON DRIVEWAY. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE REAR MAIN SEAL AS REAR MAIN SEAL HOUSING COVER AND OIL PAN GASKET. THIS FIRST NOTICED WITH ONLY 9864 MILES ON THE NEW CAR. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT TO YOU TO SEE IF THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE.*AK
PROBLEM WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. *MR *CB *NLM
ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WOULD NOT RESTART. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP (SHORT) AND REPLACED. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED 1 WEEK LATER. *AK
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL MADE A LOUD NOISE. *NLM THREE BUICK DEALERS STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE DISC BRAKES. *TT *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN SHIFTING DOWN TO A LOW SPEED VEHICLE MADE CLUNKY NOISE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED TRANSMISSION FOUR TIMES, AND STILL PROBLEM RECURRING. *AK
I HAVE A 2002 BUICK LASABRE, WITH 49000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE BAD ON IT, THE TIE RODS ARE WORE OUT AND NOW, THE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED AND ARE FALLING APART. *NLM
THE BATTERY WENT LOW. WHEN TRYING TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE BATTERY WAS NOT UNDER THE HOOD. A MECHANIC CAME TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BATTERY WAS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION. *JB
LETTER ON BEHALF OF JAMES BURNS (MI) RE A PREVIOUS LETTER SENT TO NHTSA REQUESTING BRAKE DEFECT AND DRIVING INFORMATION ON 2002 BUICK, LESABRE; RESPONSE TO LETTER/S/BY K. WEINSTEIN ON 03/25/2003- ES03--006321; REPLY TO DETROIT OFC, DOT #003-2279. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2003 WHILE DRIVING WIFE HOME FROM HOSPITAL ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PU…
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LETTER ON BEHALF OF JAMES BURNS (MI) RE A PREVIOUS LETTER SENT TO NHTSA REQUESTING BRAKE DEFECT AND DRIVING INFORMATION ON 2002 BUICK, LESABRE; RESPONSE TO LETTER/S/BY K. WEINSTEIN ON 03/25/2003- ES03--006321; REPLY TO DETROIT OFC, DOT #003-2279. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2003 WHILE DRIVING WIFE HOME FROM HOSPITAL ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY 28 INTO A MOTEL, SHUT OFF MOTOR, THEN STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN AND ABS LIGHT DID NOT APPEAR. WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES FAILED. MR BURNS ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT BUICK AND NHTSA, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. SENATOR LEVIN 'S OFFICE WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER, AND CONTACT MR. BURNS REGARDING THE BRAKE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THERE WAS A THIN COAT OF ICE ON THE BRAKES, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *JB * CB *JB
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.