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2003 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lesabre years

Owner complaints for the 2003 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

119 reports with mileage · 45 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.

  • Structure. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

164 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2014
Electrical System

USED BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM 2003 CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VOLT LIGHT APPEARS AND THEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF. THIS IS FRIGHTENING AND TRULY DANGEROUS. THE CAR WILL START BACK UP USUALLY AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES ABOUT TWO ATTEMPTS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CAR COMPUTER WAS REPLACED BEC…

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USED BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM 2003 CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VOLT LIGHT APPEARS AND THEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF. THIS IS FRIGHTENING AND TRULY DANGEROUS. THE CAR WILL START BACK UP USUALLY AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES ABOUT TWO ATTEMPTS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CAR COMPUTER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE MECHANICS BELIEVED THAT TO BE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT WAS DONE, THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN, SEVERAL TIMES, THE VERY SAME DAY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND MULTIPLE TESTS WERE RUN AND WE WERE TOLD ABOUT A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS RANGING FROM THE COMPUTER TO THE SENSOR. AFTER ALL THE TESTS WERE RAN AND PARTS REPLACED (COMPUTER AND SENSOR), THE CAR DROVE FINE FOR TWO AFTERNOONS AND THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC AND THE LIGHT WAS RED. THE CAR TURNS BACK ON BUT THE FACT THAT IT SHUTS OFF AT RANDOM AND THE MECHANICS CANNOT TELL US THE REASON IS UNSETTLING. WE HAVE NO SOLUTIONS SO FAR BECAUSE THE EXACT CAUSE CANNOT BE PINPOINTED. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RECURRING EVER SINCE JUNE 27, 2014 AND HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY PROBLEMATIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620781

75,200 miles · Jul 30, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON A 40MPH ROAD, THE ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY LOST POWER - THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ALSO CEASED TO FUNCTION AS A RESULT. THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. AFTER GUIDING THE STRICKEN CAR TO A SAFE AREA, I TURNED THE ENGINE BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AS NORMAL. THE ISSUE REPEATED ROUGHLY A WEEK LATER AT LOWER …

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WHILE DRIVING ON A 40MPH ROAD, THE ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY LOST POWER - THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ALSO CEASED TO FUNCTION AS A RESULT. THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. AFTER GUIDING THE STRICKEN CAR TO A SAFE AREA, I TURNED THE ENGINE BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AS NORMAL. THE ISSUE REPEATED ROUGHLY A WEEK LATER AT LOWER SPEED WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED-HUMP IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. NOTE: THE ISSUE OCCURRED FOLLOWING THE ADDITION OF APARTMENT AND MAIL KEYS TO THE KEYRING. I SEPARATED THE ADDITIONAL KEYS FROM THE CAR'S KEY FOLLOWING THE SECOND INCIDENT. THE ISSUE HAS NOT REPEATED SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617806

181,219 miles · Jul 26, 2014
Air Bags

ENTERED VEHICLE AND NOTICED DASHBOARD BUCKLING ON DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. AFRAID TO START VEHICLE BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616533

60,125 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Structure

APPROX. APRIL 1, 2014 NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS "LIFTING" AWAY FROM THE BASE. SINCE THEN IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, LIFTING FROM LEFT HAND SIDE TOWARDS CENTER OF VEHICLE. BUICK TELLS ME IT IS NOT COVERED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON IT, YET I'VE SEEN 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING ON THE INTERNET. WORR…

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APPROX. APRIL 1, 2014 NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS "LIFTING" AWAY FROM THE BASE. SINCE THEN IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, LIFTING FROM LEFT HAND SIDE TOWARDS CENTER OF VEHICLE. BUICK TELLS ME IT IS NOT COVERED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON IT, YET I'VE SEEN 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING ON THE INTERNET. WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY OF AIRBAG(S) DEPLOYING AND IF IT KEEPS LIFTING THE WAY IT HAS SO FAR, VISIBILITY WILL BECOME A FACTOR. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST 2003. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609361

115,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Air BagsStructure

MY FRONT DASHBOARD HAS BEEN GRADUALLY COMING UNATTACHED NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT IT IS HINDERING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.. THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD AND I CANNOT BELIEVE BUICK HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT WHICH IS AFFECTING SO MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I…

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MY FRONT DASHBOARD HAS BEEN GRADUALLY COMING UNATTACHED NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT IT IS HINDERING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.. THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD AND I CANNOT BELIEVE BUICK HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT WHICH IS AFFECTING SO MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I OWN TWO BUICK LESABRES AND IT HAPPENED TO BOTH OF THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605208

89,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Air BagsStructure

DASHBOARD HAS WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANICS, DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL MOST LIKELY BE COMPROMISED. IT ALSO AFFECTS VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE BUICKS! WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHI…

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DASHBOARD HAS WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANICS, DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL MOST LIKELY BE COMPROMISED. IT ALSO AFFECTS VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE BUICKS! WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? CHECK THIS WEBSITE AND YOU'LL SEE HOW PROLIFIC A PROBLEM THIS IS! HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-C5295_DS45613 NOT TO MENTION THE MONEY LOST BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO SELL THESE CARS. 2000-2005 BUICK OWNERS ARE IN DANGER. AND YOU'VE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT! DO YOUR JOB! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605207

76,000 miles · Jun 11, 2014
EnginePower Train

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS (BOTH LOWER AND UPPER) HAVE FAILED RESULTING IN COOLANT LOSS. POORLY DESIGNED PLASTIC GASKETS ARE NO LONGER USED BUT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT RESULTS IN SAFETY ISSUE IF COOLANT IS COMPLETELY DEPLETED ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN FAILURE OF VEHICLE TO DRIVE DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597592

43,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Air BagsStructure

AT A LITTLE OVER 40,000 MILES, I NOTICE A HUMP IN THE DASH COVER IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEPARATION AND LIFTING HAS NOW STRETCHED TO NEAR CENTER DASH. IF IT CONTINUES, I'M AFRAID IT MAY POSSIBLY EFFECT AIR BAG OPERATION OR PASSENGER SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597235

40,000 miles · Apr 12, 2014
Service Brakes

FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS DO NOT WEAR EVENLY. THE INBOARD PAD (ON BOTH WHEELS) WEARS FASTER THAN THE OUTBOARD PAD. PROBLEM IS, ONLY THE OUTBOARD PADS HAVE THE WEAR ALERTER. SO, IF YOU DON'T INSPECT YOUR FRONT BRAKES FREQUENTLY, THE INBOARD PAD LINING CAN WEAR COMPLETELY AWAY WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE, CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BRAKE…

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FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS DO NOT WEAR EVENLY. THE INBOARD PAD (ON BOTH WHEELS) WEARS FASTER THAN THE OUTBOARD PAD. PROBLEM IS, ONLY THE OUTBOARD PADS HAVE THE WEAR ALERTER. SO, IF YOU DON'T INSPECT YOUR FRONT BRAKES FREQUENTLY, THE INBOARD PAD LINING CAN WEAR COMPLETELY AWAY WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE, CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR AND REDUCE BRAKING TO AN UNSAFE LEVEL. I HAVE SEEN THIS CONDITION ON MORE THAN ONE BUICK LESABRE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579325

10,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Air BagsStructure

DASH PANEL IS SEPARATING FROM FRAME , STARTED IN FRONT OF DRIVER & PROGRESSING TOWARDS PASSENGER SIDE WHERE AIR BAG IS LOCATED WHICH IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY PROBLEM ,NOT TO MENTION RESALE OR TRADE IN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572991

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.