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2001 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lesabre years

Owner complaints for the 2001 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

202 reports with mileage · 126 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 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports22 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

28 reports
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93,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/14/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10823678

147,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemFire

I TRY TO START THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN THEN I HEARD A BIG LOUD SOUND FROM THE ENGINE A BOOB SOUND. I NOTICE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. MY BROTHER WAS OUTSIDE WHEN THE LOUD SOUND WENT OFF. MY BROTHER AND I MOVE THE OTHER VEHICLES OUT OF THE WAY SO IT WOULDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. …

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I TRY TO START THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN THEN I HEARD A BIG LOUD SOUND FROM THE ENGINE A BOOB SOUND. I NOTICE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. MY BROTHER WAS OUTSIDE WHEN THE LOUD SOUND WENT OFF. MY BROTHER AND I MOVE THE OTHER VEHICLES OUT OF THE WAY SO IT WOULDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. WENT BACK OVER TO THE CAR MY BROTHER TRIED TO PURSUE WITH THE MATTER AND HE NOTICE HE WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE THE SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE IT WAS TO MUCH FOR HIM TO HANDLE SO HE TOLD ME TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND DID THAT. ENGINE WAS ON FIRE SPREADING LARGER SURROUNDING THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IN FLAMES. THE POLICE CAME AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVE A COUPLES MINUTES AFTER THAT. THEY SPREAD IT DOWN WITH FIRE HOSES AND THAT WAS IT. IT NOT FIXABLE AND IT SCARED VERY BAD THIS IS REALLY BAD SO THAT'S WHY I'M WRITING THIS TO SOLVE THIS MATTER . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692671

176,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND SMELLED OF BURNING OIL. WENT TOBA MECHANIC AND SAID MY VALVE IS LEAKING OIL ALL OVER MY ENGINE FOR SOME REASON. THIS ENGINE I'VE READ IS PRONE TO ENGINE FIRES. THIS MAYBE A DEFECTIVE ENGINE IN THE BUICK AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557922

112,000 miles · Apr 26, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP JULY 2011. ONE WEEK LATER LEFT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT FUNCTION. FEBRUARY 2012 RIGHT REAR WINDOW FAILED. APRIL 2012 LEFT REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. SO FAR, THE WINDOWS HAVE COST ME $735.00 IN LESS THAN A YEAR. CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLES A LOT …

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PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP JULY 2011. ONE WEEK LATER LEFT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT FUNCTION. FEBRUARY 2012 RIGHT REAR WINDOW FAILED. APRIL 2012 LEFT REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. SO FAR, THE WINDOWS HAVE COST ME $735.00 IN LESS THAN A YEAR. CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLES A LOT IN MORNING WHEN CAR IS COLD. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY AAMCO CAN BE REPLACED AT BUICK'S EXPENSE, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456536

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLING FLUIDS WERE LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN EARLIER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLING FLUIDS WERE LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN EARLIER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10450895

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

IN DECEMBER 2010 I HAD MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE REPAIRED AT SCHEPEL BUICK IN MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA. THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND THE THERMOSTAT BECAUSE OF THE COOLANT LEAKING. I JUST FOUND OUT THE GM KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEX COOLANT FOR A LONG TIME AND DIDN'T LET ANYONE KNOW. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGE…

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IN DECEMBER 2010 I HAD MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE REPAIRED AT SCHEPEL BUICK IN MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA. THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND THE THERMOSTAT BECAUSE OF THE COOLANT LEAKING. I JUST FOUND OUT THE GM KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEX COOLANT FOR A LONG TIME AND DIDN'T LET ANYONE KNOW. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER A SCHEPEL BILL AND TALKED TO HIM AND HE SAID THAT HE NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND NEITHER DID GM. ITS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. HE LIED TO ME. HE TOLD ME NOT TO BELIEVE WHAT THE INTERNET SAYS. I AM OUT $779.45 FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR. THE NEVER HAD A RECALL BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO KEEP IT QUITE. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THEY SHOULD GET AWAY WITH KEEPING IT QUITE WHEN SOMEONE COULD GET HURT AND TO AVOID PAYING FOR THEIR MISTAKE.

NHTSA ODI #10391940

97,000 miles · May 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL LEAK ON 2001 BUICK LESABRE. NOT ONLY WAS LEAKING FROM SENDING UNIT, BUT FROM VALVE COVERS. OBVIOUSLY IS LEAKING ON ENGINE, AS I SMELL HOT OIL AND AT TIMES SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. A RECALL: EA07008 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA07008 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR VARIOUS GM MODELS INCLUDING BUICK REGAL, ALL WITH THE …

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OIL LEAK ON 2001 BUICK LESABRE. NOT ONLY WAS LEAKING FROM SENDING UNIT, BUT FROM VALVE COVERS. OBVIOUSLY IS LEAKING ON ENGINE, AS I SMELL HOT OIL AND AT TIMES SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. A RECALL: EA07008 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA07008 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR VARIOUS GM MODELS INCLUDING BUICK REGAL, ALL WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE, HOWEVER THE LESABRE IS NOT LISTED. THIS AFOREMENTIONED RECALL INDICATED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SO CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10270094

102,000 miles · May 17, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE: OIL LEAKING SOMEWHERE, AS SMELL THE HOT OIL AND SOMETIMES SMOKE COMES OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. LOCAL SERVICE DETERMINED MAIN LEAK WAS OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT AND ADDITIONAL LEAK FROM VALVE COVERS. REPAIR COST FOR JUST OIL SENDING UNIT: $167. THE COST ESTIMATE FOR VALVE COVERS: ~$300. DECIDED TO FORGO THAT FOR NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268948

55,000 miles · Apr 15, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility

TRANSMISSION REPAIRED IN 2006 WINDOW SWITCHES REPLACED IN TWO WINDOWS 2007 NOW I HAVE A COOLANT LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265422

72,071 miles · Mar 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AM TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ON A RECALL FOR MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE. I SPOKE WITH BUICK AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS, BUT APPARENTLY BEING THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. I AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE MOTOR. I HAVE 73,000 MILES ON THE VEHIC…

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I AM TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ON A RECALL FOR MY 2001 BUICK LESABRE. I SPOKE WITH BUICK AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS, BUT APPARENTLY BEING THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. I AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE MOTOR. I HAVE 73,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER STATES IT IS AGE AND MILEAGE. I AM NOT SURE!!!!!! I FEEL IF THERE WAS A RECALL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE GASKET WHICH CAUSED THESE LEAKS THEN I SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL??? FROM WHAT I COULD LEARN FROM YOUR SITE BUICK HAD A RECALL FOR THEIR REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. IT IS GM RECALL. #07035. I KNOW I HAVE A LESABRE,BUT IT SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. IS THERE A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE ALSO??IT SUPPOSEDLY IS AFFECTING OVER 20,764 VEHICLES AND THE 2001-2003 MODELS WON'T BE NOTIFIED RIGHT AWAY. PRIOR YEARS WERE NOTIFIED APRIL 2008. I AM A SECOND OWNER SO NOT SURE IF I WOULD EVER BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261848

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

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.