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
62,000 miles · Jan 25, 2015
Exterior LightingStructureVisibility
1. DASHBOARD SEPARATING FROM WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING 3" GAP CAUSING PARTIAL OBSTRUCTION. NOW IS SEPARATING MORE AT DRIVERS' SIDE NEAR STEERING WHEEL, AND ABOUT 75% PULLED AWAY AT THIS TIME. CRITICAL SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY AND INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR. CANNOT FIX EASILY AND CONSIDER IT CRITICAL DEFECT …
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1. DASHBOARD SEPARATING FROM WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING 3" GAP CAUSING PARTIAL OBSTRUCTION. NOW IS SEPARATING MORE AT DRIVERS' SIDE NEAR STEERING WHEEL, AND ABOUT 75% PULLED AWAY AT THIS TIME. CRITICAL SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY AND INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR. CANNOT FIX EASILY AND CONSIDER IT CRITICAL DEFECT AND INFERIOR WORKMANSHIP. NOT ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR OR ABLE TO SELL IT! 2. ELECTRIC WINDOWS IN BACK PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED. $$ 3. LIGHT SWITCH CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS AND RECENTLY STUCK IN THE "ON" POSITION. HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY TO TURN OFF. THIS JUST HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AND WAS INCONVENIENCED GREATLY !! 4. HEADLINER FALLING DOWN AND WAS REPAIRED TWICE. NOW IS FALLING DOWN WHERE IT WAS NOT REPAIRED!
NHTSA ODI #10678765
150,000 miles · Jan 24, 2015
Engine
MY CAR WILL START THEN STALLS IMMEDIATELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678671
80,000 miles · Dec 5, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 1/21/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS A TEMPERATURE RELATED PROBLEM. UPDATED 01/26/15*JB
NHTSA ODI #10662351
36,000 miles · Nov 29, 2014
EngineFire
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2002 BUICK LESABRE FROM HIS APARTMENT (LESS THAN A MILE) AND ARRIVED AT SCHOOL (XAVIER UNIVERSITY-CINCINNATI, OH). HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THE CABIN. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND JUMP OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO DOUSE THE FI…
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MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2002 BUICK LESABRE FROM HIS APARTMENT (LESS THAN A MILE) AND ARRIVED AT SCHOOL (XAVIER UNIVERSITY-CINCINNATI, OH). HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THE CABIN. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND JUMP OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO DOUSE THE FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10661272
134,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND CHIMES SOUND AT START UP AND STAY ON AT ALL TIMES.I PULLED FUSE OUT OF CONCERN THE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY WHEN NOT NEEDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659197
111,400 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Structure
DASHBOARD MATERIAL APPEARS TO BE FAULTY, AND DASHBOARD IS NOW RAISED IN THE AIR ON DRIVERS SIDE (NEAR WINDSHIELD), PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTING VIEW. IF THE COMPLETE DASHBOARD COMES LOOSE AND SEPARATES, THIS MAY FULLY BLOCK VIEW RESULTING IN POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641432
205,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Structure
THE DASH PANEL PAD IS BUCKLING AND PULLING LOOSE. I AM CONCERNED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639129
980,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System
THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE .WOULD NOT LET ME PUT DATE IN .DATE WAS JULY23'2014.MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT STALLED PUT IN NEUTRAL STARTED RIGHT UP DROVE ALITTLE WAYS SAMETHING HAPPEND.CHECKENGINELIGHT CAME ON GOT STUCK ON HIGHWAY FOR 3 HOURS WAITING FOR TOWTRUCK BAD EXPERIENCE. …
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THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE .WOULD NOT LET ME PUT DATE IN .DATE WAS JULY23'2014.MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT STALLED PUT IN NEUTRAL STARTED RIGHT UP DROVE ALITTLE WAYS SAMETHING HAPPEND.CHECKENGINELIGHT CAME ON GOT STUCK ON HIGHWAY FOR 3 HOURS WAITING FOR TOWTRUCK BAD EXPERIENCE. IT IS AT SULLIVAN TIRE CHECK DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT I TOLD HIM TO TAKE IT FOR A SPIN HE DID AND STALLED OUT ON HIM.SULLIVANTIRE IS BOGGLED.I WAS ON LINE AND WAS CHECKING WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND THERE IS ABOUT 10 PEOPLE THAT OWN THE SAME CAR HAS SAME PROBLEM WE TRIED GETTING IT FIXED ITS STARTING TO COST SOME MONEY TRYING TO FIX IT. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR JAN.2013. AND STILL OWE MONEY ON IT FOR 1 MORE YEAR PLEASE HELP US THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619106
25,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V067000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10593170
75,368 miles · Apr 4, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SDM MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SDM MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V222000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,368.
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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