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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

Structure complaints

50 reports
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15,000 miles · May 28, 2012
Air BagsStructure

MY PARENTS PURCHASED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE FROM THE DEALERSHIP NEW. BOTH PARENTS (FATHER NOW DECEASED) RETIRED AND MOVED TO FLORIDA IN 2001, AND VERY RARELY DROVE THE VEHICLE. MY FATHER PASSED AWAY IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR (2012) AND MY MOTHER ASKED ME IF I WANTED THE CAR. I DROVE TO FLORIDA TO PICK UP THE CAR AND NOTICED THE DAS…

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MY PARENTS PURCHASED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE FROM THE DEALERSHIP NEW. BOTH PARENTS (FATHER NOW DECEASED) RETIRED AND MOVED TO FLORIDA IN 2001, AND VERY RARELY DROVE THE VEHICLE. MY FATHER PASSED AWAY IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR (2012) AND MY MOTHER ASKED ME IF I WANTED THE CAR. I DROVE TO FLORIDA TO PICK UP THE CAR AND NOTICED THE DASH PANEL WAS ALL BUCKLED AND LOOKED HORRIBLE. I ASKED MY MOTHER WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS DUE TO THE SOUTH FLORIDA HEAT, BUT MY MOTHER SAID IT STARTED IN 2006 AND THEY HAD BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO REPAIR. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR REPLACEMENT DASH PANELS I DISCOVERED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN FOR SOMETIME, FLORIDA HEAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND WILL CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459804

108,000 miles · May 26, 2012
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH PAD UNDER THE WINDSHIELD IS STARTING TO BUCKLE AND SEPARATE FROM THE METAL CLAMPS. THIS SEPARATION IS CONTINUALLY GROWING AND MOVING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS LOCATED. WITH THIS MOVEMENT AND CHANGE I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL N…

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THE DASH PAD UNDER THE WINDSHIELD IS STARTING TO BUCKLE AND SEPARATE FROM THE METAL CLAMPS. THIS SEPARATION IS CONTINUALLY GROWING AND MOVING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS LOCATED. WITH THIS MOVEMENT AND CHANGE I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE AIR BAG MAY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY TO THE PASSENGER, NOT TO MENTION HOW THE DRIVER MAY REACT SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. GENERAL MOTORS NEEDS TO FIX THIS TO INSURE NOBODY IS INJURED IF THAT HASN'T ALREADY HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459731

59,000 miles · Mar 21, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DELAMINATING NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 05/10/12

NHTSA ODI #10452487

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2012
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH PAD ON MY 2001 LESABRE, WHICH MY ELDERLY MOTHER PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND MAINTAINED WELL, HAS BUCKLED AND PULLED UP FROM THE DASH BOARD RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAS PULLED OUT OF THE DEFROST PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CURLS UP AND IS BECOMING AN OBSTRUCTION TO MY VIEW. I AM UNABLE TO REATTACH IT AND WORRIED …

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THE DASH PAD ON MY 2001 LESABRE, WHICH MY ELDERLY MOTHER PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND MAINTAINED WELL, HAS BUCKLED AND PULLED UP FROM THE DASH BOARD RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAS PULLED OUT OF THE DEFROST PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CURLS UP AND IS BECOMING AN OBSTRUCTION TO MY VIEW. I AM UNABLE TO REATTACH IT AND WORRIED THAT AS IT CONTINUES TO PULL OUT TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, IT WILL POSSIBLY ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR MULTIPLE YEARS OF THE LESABRE MODEL AND GM HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT. I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN WITH OTHER OLDER CAR MODELS AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE LESABRE FOR SOME IN THE EARLY YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449504

110,000 miles · Feb 15, 2012
SteeringStructureSuspension

ANOTHER VERY COMMON DEFECT WITH MULTIPLE YEAR BUICKS BESIDES THE WINDOW REGULATORS THAT BUICK REFUSES TO ADMIT FAULT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. THIS IS ABOUT THE DASH COVERING PULLING AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND LIKELY CAUSE AIR BAG TO DISCHARGE AND SOON WILL OBSTRUCT VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OF THESE ITE…

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ANOTHER VERY COMMON DEFECT WITH MULTIPLE YEAR BUICKS BESIDES THE WINDOW REGULATORS THAT BUICK REFUSES TO ADMIT FAULT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. THIS IS ABOUT THE DASH COVERING PULLING AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND LIKELY CAUSE AIR BAG TO DISCHARGE AND SOON WILL OBSTRUCT VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OF THESE ITEMS ARE VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR AND GN/BUICK HAS OFFERED NOTHING AS FAR AS I KNOW TO ANYONE. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE POWER STEERING HOSE AT 60,000 AND AN AXLE AT 90,000 AND A TIE ROD AT 50,000. AND THEY WONDER WHY SALES FROM JAPAN ARE BOOMING?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448115

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2011
Structure

THE BACK OF THE FRONT DASHBOARD HAS BEEN PEELING UP NEARLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT IS PEELED AWAY ALL ACROSS THE FRONT WHERE IT CONNECTS NEAR THE WINDOW. I FOUND SOME INFORMATION THAT SAID IT CAN CAUSE A HAZARD IF IT PEELS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. IT'S AN EXPENSIVE FIX. IT ALSO DOES TAKE SO…

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THE BACK OF THE FRONT DASHBOARD HAS BEEN PEELING UP NEARLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT IS PEELED AWAY ALL ACROSS THE FRONT WHERE IT CONNECTS NEAR THE WINDOW. I FOUND SOME INFORMATION THAT SAID IT CAN CAUSE A HAZARD IF IT PEELS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. IT'S AN EXPENSIVE FIX. IT ALSO DOES TAKE SOME VISIBILITY AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424601

85,000 miles · Jul 27, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO DETACH FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000... UPDATED 09/15/1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO DETACH FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000... UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 09/26/11

NHTSA ODI #10415322

40,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Air BagsStructure

2001 BUICK LESABRE VIN [XXX] DASH PAD HAS BEEN PEELING UPWARD TOWARD WINDSHIELD. STARTED IN FRONT OF STEERING WHEEL AND HAS MIGRATED ACROSS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO PEELING APART ON CORNERS AND ABOVE GLOVE BOX. AS THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS WORSENED, THERE IS A NOISE THAT I SUSPECT IS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. I AM …

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2001 BUICK LESABRE VIN [XXX] DASH PAD HAS BEEN PEELING UPWARD TOWARD WINDSHIELD. STARTED IN FRONT OF STEERING WHEEL AND HAS MIGRATED ACROSS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO PEELING APART ON CORNERS AND ABOVE GLOVE BOX. AS THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS WORSENED, THERE IS A NOISE THAT I SUSPECT IS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE DASH LOOKS TO BE A BLAST AWAY UNIT WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED. IF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WERE TO DEPLOY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IT MAY OBSCURE THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10414820

49,500 miles · Jul 10, 2011
StructureVisibility

2001 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED 'DASH MAT' HAS SEPARATED AND BUCKLED IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING A VISIBILITY ISSUE AND IS SEEMS TO CONTINUE TO BE SEPARATING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG - BASED ON MY ONLINE RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AMONGST 2000 - 2005 LESABRE OWNERS. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND A…

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2001 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED 'DASH MAT' HAS SEPARATED AND BUCKLED IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING A VISIBILITY ISSUE AND IS SEEMS TO CONTINUE TO BE SEPARATING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG - BASED ON MY ONLINE RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AMONGST 2000 - 2005 LESABRE OWNERS. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND AM NOT SURE IF HEAT IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411677

92,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Structure

DASH PANEL COVER SEPARATING AND BUCKLING IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S STEERING WHEEL GM WILL NOT REPLACE AND I FEEL IT COULD CAUSE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS LATER. HAVE READ ONLINE OTHER DRIVERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT CAUSING AIRBAG TO DEPLOY ON PASSAGE SIDE IF IT SEPARATES ALL THE WAY ACROSS DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406895

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.