Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
230–25K
2025–50K
2750–75K
3075–100K
20100–150K
6150K+
126 reports with mileage · 36 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.
Electrical System. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports5 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
162 reports
40,000 miles · Aug 14, 2012
Structure
DASHBOARD HAS BUCKLED AND SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION AND SPREADS ACROSS MIDDLE AREA AND TOWARDS PASSENGER SIDE. FEAR OF SETTING OFF AIR BAGS AND ALSO FURTHER IMPAIRMENT OF VISION AS CONDITION WORSENS. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY MANUFACTURER. NUMEROUS SIMILAR CASES IN BUICK LESABRE MODELS 2…
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DASHBOARD HAS BUCKLED AND SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION AND SPREADS ACROSS MIDDLE AREA AND TOWARDS PASSENGER SIDE. FEAR OF SETTING OFF AIR BAGS AND ALSO FURTHER IMPAIRMENT OF VISION AS CONDITION WORSENS. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY MANUFACTURER. NUMEROUS SIMILAR CASES IN BUICK LESABRE MODELS 2000-2005. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470605
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2012
Structure
I HAVE A 2004 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED THAT THE DASH PAD HAS STARTED RAISING UP BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM, THIS COULD BE A ISSUE OF SAFETY. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR …
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I HAVE A 2004 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED THAT THE DASH PAD HAS STARTED RAISING UP BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM, THIS COULD BE A ISSUE OF SAFETY. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469213
76,700 miles · Jul 20, 2012
Structure
WE NOTICED AROUND MID-JUNE THAT OUR 2004 BUICK LASABRE HAD A WARPED DASHBOARD AND IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE VENT AREA. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAN AND PROBABLY WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND ENDANGER OUR LIVES BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFELY HAZARD AND A DEFECT AND I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO M…
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WE NOTICED AROUND MID-JUNE THAT OUR 2004 BUICK LASABRE HAD A WARPED DASHBOARD AND IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE VENT AREA. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAN AND PROBABLY WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND ENDANGER OUR LIVES BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFELY HAZARD AND A DEFECT AND I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY BUICKS AND THE COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466813
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING OVER TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY FOR THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465205
115,000 miles · May 18, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO STOPPED FUNCTIONING SUDDENLY TWO DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10458912
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2012
Unknown Or Other
THE CAR LEAKS ON THE LEFT SIDE. WATER WILL STAND IN THE FLOORBOARDS. UNDER THE BACK SEAT WATER WILL BE UNDER THE BATTERY AND FUSE BOX. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUNK IS ALWAYS WET AND WATER STANDS IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. IT IS NOT LEAKING FROM THE WINDSHIELD.THE BACK ABOVE THE BACK SEAT IS NOT WET. WATER GUSHES FROM FRONT TO BACK W…
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THE CAR LEAKS ON THE LEFT SIDE. WATER WILL STAND IN THE FLOORBOARDS. UNDER THE BACK SEAT WATER WILL BE UNDER THE BATTERY AND FUSE BOX. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUNK IS ALWAYS WET AND WATER STANDS IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL. IT IS NOT LEAKING FROM THE WINDSHIELD.THE BACK ABOVE THE BACK SEAT IS NOT WET. WATER GUSHES FROM FRONT TO BACK WHEN GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS. NO ONE CAN FIND WHERE THE WATER IS COMING FROM. ITS A BOAT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10455701
92,994 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD HAVE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON MAY 11, 2012. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES WERE LEAKING. UPDATED 06/06/12. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10453591
120,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. TWO HOURS LATER, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A BURNED HOLE ON THE REAR OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE WIRES FROM THE H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. TWO HOURS LATER, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A BURNED HOLE ON THE REAR OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE WIRES FROM THE HEATED SEAT WARMER BEING FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 4/2/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. 04/16/12
NHTSA ODI #10449119
75,000 miles · Jan 30, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR DURING SLIPPERY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR DURING SLIPPERY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10445834
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2012
Electrical System
I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, IN 2009. THE WEATHER WAS COLD, AND I ATTRIBUTED IT'S DISFUNCTION TO THE COLD. THEN THE OTHER GAUGES STARTED TO SHOW MALFUNCTION. WHEN IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT NONE OF THE GAUGES WERE CORRECT, I WENT TO TWO GM DEALERS AND RECEIVED NO CONCERN FROM EITHER O…
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I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, IN 2009. THE WEATHER WAS COLD, AND I ATTRIBUTED IT'S DISFUNCTION TO THE COLD. THEN THE OTHER GAUGES STARTED TO SHOW MALFUNCTION. WHEN IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT NONE OF THE GAUGES WERE CORRECT, I WENT TO TWO GM DEALERS AND RECEIVED NO CONCERN FROM EITHER OF THEM. THEY DID NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY KNEW OF A PROBLEM. I HAD TO PAY $400 TO REPLACE THE DASH CLUSTER. ABOUT THIS TIME I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET REGARDING THE RELAY RESISTOR OR WIRING CONNECTOR ON MY SILVERADO, SAYING THEY COULD OVERHEAT AND THE HVAC BLOWER MIGHT NOT FUNCTION. I WAS GIVEN 10 YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST, TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED IF NECESSARY. I CALLED GM AND ASKED WHY THEY WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TRUCK BUT WOULD NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM WITH THE BUICK. AGAIN, NO CONCERN WAS SHOWN. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO WAS IN THE PHILIPPINES! WHY WOULD SHE CARE? WE'RE ASKEDTO BUY AMERICAN, BUT WE HAVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE IN THE PHILIPPINES WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM! ALSO, I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS, ALL OF THEM, INSIDE AND OUT. COULDN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY I'VE HAD TO CHANGE! AT THE PRESENT TIME, WE HAVE NO RADIO AND HEATER LIGHTS. GOODBYE GM, HELLO HONDA! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444953
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
2004 Buick Lesabre Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year