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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

328 reports
36,000 miles · May 25, 2007
Electrical System

WINDOW MOTORS ON ALL FOUR DOORS HAVE QUIT WORKING OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. WE HAVE THREE REPLACED AND NOW TWO MORE ARE BROKEN FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF FIVE WINDOW MOTORS. LOCAL DEALER HAS BECOME USELESS ON THIS MATTER AND NEITHER GM NOR THE BUICK DIVISION HAVE RESPONDED TO MULTIPLE INQUIRIES. WE HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO SUPPORT AMERICA…

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WINDOW MOTORS ON ALL FOUR DOORS HAVE QUIT WORKING OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. WE HAVE THREE REPLACED AND NOW TWO MORE ARE BROKEN FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF FIVE WINDOW MOTORS. LOCAL DEALER HAS BECOME USELESS ON THIS MATTER AND NEITHER GM NOR THE BUICK DIVISION HAVE RESPONDED TO MULTIPLE INQUIRIES. WE HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO SUPPORT AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY GM. THE PERCIVED "WE DON'T CARE" ATTITUDE HAS DEFINATELY CHANGED OUR THOUGHT PROCESS ABOUT OUR FUTURE VEHICLE PURCHASES.

NHTSA ODI #10191748

88,604 miles · May 22, 2007
Visibility

POWER WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP AT 88,000 MILES. THIS IS THE 3RD WINDOW TO BREAK, WITH EACH REPAIR COSTING APPROXIMATELY $400. BOTH REAR WINDOWS BROKE, WHICH ARE HARDLY USED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191427

112,000 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Power Train

2001 BUICK LESABRE/TRANSMISSION TORE UP 2007/I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR SERVICED REGULARLY/COMPLETE SERVICE EVERYTIME/ALL FLUIDS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT AT A COST OF $1200.00. A CAR SUCH AS THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE OLD AT TODAY'…

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2001 BUICK LESABRE/TRANSMISSION TORE UP 2007/I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR SERVICED REGULARLY/COMPLETE SERVICE EVERYTIME/ALL FLUIDS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT AT A COST OF $1200.00. A CAR SUCH AS THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE OLD AT TODAY'S STANDARDS AND FOR A TRANSMISSION TO TEAR UP COMPLETELY-TO SAY THE LEAST I HAVE QUESTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188939

17,000 miles · Apr 2, 2007
Seat Belts

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25 MPH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHICH WAS MADE OF PLASTIC SPLIT IN HALF WHEN HE TURNED HIS BODY AROUND TO VIEW TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY A DEALER/MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10186723

85,000 miles · Mar 27, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE VALVE PLATE STICKING. THE GAS PEDAL HAS TO BE STEPPED ON HARD WHEN YOU FIRST START UP AFTER SETTING A WHILE. I'M TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE UNIT USES ON MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES MINE IS ON A 2001 BUICK LESABRE WITH A 3800 ENGINE. WALDECKER PONTIAC, BRIGHTON, MI TOLD ME THIS ITEM WASN'T COVERED ON THE EXTEN…

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THROTTLE VALVE PLATE STICKING. THE GAS PEDAL HAS TO BE STEPPED ON HARD WHEN YOU FIRST START UP AFTER SETTING A WHILE. I'M TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE UNIT USES ON MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES MINE IS ON A 2001 BUICK LESABRE WITH A 3800 ENGINE. WALDECKER PONTIAC, BRIGHTON, MI TOLD ME THIS ITEM WASN'T COVERED ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED (6YR/100000 MILE) I HAD 94,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR AT LEAST 10000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 101600 I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY IT WASN'T A WARRANTED ITEM. THIS ALSO COULD BE CONSTRUED A SAFETY ITEM AS WHEN YOU STEP HARD ON THE PEDAL THE CAR SURGES FORWARD SLIGHTLY. I'M AWARE OF IT SO I AUTOMATICALLY HIT THE PEDAL AND RELEASE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10186281

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2007
SteeringVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN NORMAL ACCELERATION SEVERAL MOMENTS AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD BEEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BACKFIRED WHILE IN MOTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN NORMAL ACCELERATION SEVERAL MOMENTS AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD BEEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BACKFIRED WHILE IN MOTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD BEEN REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10185985

25,000 miles · Mar 18, 2007
Visibility

I OWN A 2001 BUICK LE-SABRE. I HAVE HAD TWO POWER WINDOW REGULATERS FAIL AND IT WOULD HAVE COST ABOUT $500 EACH HAD I NOT HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM. WHILE STANDING THERE, ANOTHER SERVICE REP. WAS TALKING TO A CUSTOMER ABOUT THE SAME FAILURE. THIS SE…

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I OWN A 2001 BUICK LE-SABRE. I HAVE HAD TWO POWER WINDOW REGULATERS FAIL AND IT WOULD HAVE COST ABOUT $500 EACH HAD I NOT HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM. WHILE STANDING THERE, ANOTHER SERVICE REP. WAS TALKING TO A CUSTOMER ABOUT THE SAME FAILURE. THIS SEEMS TO BE SYSTEMMIC PROBLEM AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10185431

20,000 miles · Mar 1, 2007
EquipmentSteeringVisibility

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LE-SABRE WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 38000 MILES. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO REPLACE WINDOW REGULATORS OF THREE OF THE WINDOWS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED IN APR…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LE-SABRE WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 38000 MILES. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO REPLACE WINDOW REGULATORS OF THREE OF THE WINDOWS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2004 AT STEVEN SMITH BUICK OF ROGERS ARKANSAS. THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND REPAIR WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WHICH WAS REPLACED ON MARCH 6 2006. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND COST THE CONTACT $407.77. THE THIRD REPAIR WAS OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR ON FEBRUARY 15, 2007 AT COURY BUICK OF MESA ARIZONA 85206. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND COST THE CONTACT AN ADDITIONAL $500.00. *AK THE AIR CONDITION WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183961

82,000 miles · Feb 27, 2007
Visibility

THIS IS THE 25TH REPORT OF WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE ON 2001 BUICK LESABRE SEDANS. THIS WELL DOCUMENTED FACTORY DEFECT COSTS $400-$500 PER WINDOW TO REPLACE WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. THIS IS MY SECOND REAR WINDOW FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE (BOTH REAR). TWO MORE WINDOWS TO GO TOTALING $1,600 (X MILLIONS OF CARS) IN DEALER REPAIR…

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THIS IS THE 25TH REPORT OF WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE ON 2001 BUICK LESABRE SEDANS. THIS WELL DOCUMENTED FACTORY DEFECT COSTS $400-$500 PER WINDOW TO REPLACE WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. THIS IS MY SECOND REAR WINDOW FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE (BOTH REAR). TWO MORE WINDOWS TO GO TOTALING $1,600 (X MILLIONS OF CARS) IN DEALER REPAIRS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A FACTORY RECALL AND CERTAINLY NEEDS AT LEAST A REDESIGNED REPLACEMENT PART. GOVT. DO YOUR JOB AND MAKE GM FIX OBVIOUS DEFECTS! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183682

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2007
Power Train

2001 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED THAT HAD A SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION FAIL**NAR**CC THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID IN THE RANSMISSION FAILED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183734

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.