IllustrationTHE HORN DOESN'T SOUND FOR ME AND DEALER SAYS IT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED BECAUSE OF AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE ARTHRITIC HANDS AND CAN NOT PUSH THE HORN HARD ENOUGH OR IN THE CORRECT SPOT TO USE IT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. DT
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lesabre years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
300–25K
4025–50K
5750–75K
2575–100K
34100–150K
16150K+
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 reportsVARIOUS BUICK DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. DT
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 30MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
IN AN EMERGENCY IT IS VERY HARD TO LOCATED THE POSITION OF THE HORN. CONSUMER HAS HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS, WHERE SOMEONE WAS ABOUT TO BACK INTO HIM AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO SOUND THE HORN IN TIME. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE HORN IS OF POOR DESIGN. *NLM THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HORN ALSO REQUIRES TOO MUCH PRESSURE TO SOUND. …
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IN AN EMERGENCY IT IS VERY HARD TO LOCATED THE POSITION OF THE HORN. CONSUMER HAS HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS, WHERE SOMEONE WAS ABOUT TO BACK INTO HIM AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO SOUND THE HORN IN TIME. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE HORN IS OF POOR DESIGN. *NLM THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HORN ALSO REQUIRES TOO MUCH PRESSURE TO SOUND. *SCC
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WITH OUT ANY NOTICE. CONTACTED DEALER. NLM
WHILE MAKING A SUDDEN STOP, CONSUMER NOTICED DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED FORWARD WHILE TURNING CORNERS. CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE, SEAT MOVING SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS A HARSH DOWN SHIFT WHEN MERGING ON TO A FREEWAY OR GOIND UP A HILL. SHIFTS DOWN TO LOWER GEAR. THE SOLENOID WAS…
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WHILE MAKING A SUDDEN STOP, CONSUMER NOTICED DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED FORWARD WHILE TURNING CORNERS. CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE, SEAT MOVING SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS A HARSH DOWN SHIFT WHEN MERGING ON TO A FREEWAY OR GOIND UP A HILL. SHIFTS DOWN TO LOWER GEAR. THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED AND THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WAS UPDATED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE HARSH ENGAGEMENT. ONCE IN A WHILE THE HARSH ENGAGEMENT HAPPENS WHEN GOING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FLUSHED DUE TO SEDIMENT. THE REAR BRAKES STILL MOAN AND ARE SQUEAKY AT LOW SPEEDS. THEY WERE HOSED OFF TO REMOVE THE EXCESS BRAKE DUST FORM THE ROTORS. THE BRAKES PULSATE WHEN BRAKING HARD ON FREEWAYS OR CITY STREETS. THE STEERING LABORS ENGINE WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR BACKING UP. THE POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC HOSES WERE REPLACED. *JG
CAR FAILED TO START AND UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. REVERSED KEY AND CAR STARTED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, CAR DID NOT START BUT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. REVERSED KEY AND CAR STARTED. I'M CONCERNED AS TO DEFECT IN IGNITION THAT MIGHT FAIL AT A FUTURE DATE.*AK
THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND WILL LURCH BACKWARDS WHEN STOPPING OR APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK THE LEFT FRONT SEAT MOVES FORWARD ON ACCELERATION, IS NOT INSULATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND FLOOR/REMOVED LEFT SEAT INSULATED AND REINSTALLED. THE PIVOT POINT ON THE DRIVER'S IS LOOSE CAUSING THE SE…
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THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND WILL LURCH BACKWARDS WHEN STOPPING OR APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK THE LEFT FRONT SEAT MOVES FORWARD ON ACCELERATION, IS NOT INSULATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND FLOOR/REMOVED LEFT SEAT INSULATED AND REINSTALLED. THE PIVOT POINT ON THE DRIVER'S IS LOOSE CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACK. THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY, FRONT SEAT POWER SPLIT SEAT-REPLACED. *SCC
THE REAR ROTORS WERE HANGING UP, MAKE NOISE, PULSATE, AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT END VIBRATES, THE DOOR ASSEMBLY IS MISALIGNED, STICKS OUT, AND NOISY, THE TIRE WAS CHANGED BUT FAILED BALANCE AND THERES A VIBRATION, THE ENGINE STUMBLES/STALLS, THE INTERIOR CLOTH BY THE TOP…
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THE REAR ROTORS WERE HANGING UP, MAKE NOISE, PULSATE, AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT END VIBRATES, THE DOOR ASSEMBLY IS MISALIGNED, STICKS OUT, AND NOISY, THE TIRE WAS CHANGED BUT FAILED BALANCE AND THERES A VIBRATION, THE ENGINE STUMBLES/STALLS, THE INTERIOR CLOTH BY THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE-3 TIMES, CAN HEAR A MOAN COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD, THE ONSTAR ANTENNA FELL APART, THE TORSION ROD VIBRATES, THE STEERING SHUDDERS AT SLOW SPEEDS AND ON TURNS AND THE HOSE/BULLETIN # 99-02-32-007A, POWER STEERING, AND HYDRAULICS HAVE BEEN REPLACED-8 TIMES, THE A/C BLOWS HOT AIR/BULLETIN #990139-004A, AND THE VEHICLE POPS/BANGS WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND MAKING TURNS, THERES A RATTLE NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE/POSSIBLE EXHAUST OR AIR PUMP-CAUSE: INTERMEDIATE EXHAUST PIPE RATTLING (INTERNAL) FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO OXIDATION CATALYTIC CONVERTER-REPLACED, WHEEL ALIGNMENT (PULLS TO THE LEFT), THERE WAS A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PILLAR MOLDING/REMOVED THE A-PILLAR TRIM AND INSULATED/ALIGN/AGAINST UPPER DASH, AND GETTING POOR FUEL ECONOMY/IDLE AIR CONTROL-REPPACED. *SCC
WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE WILL HAVE A HARSH DOWNSHIFT, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO GO INTO SECOND GEAR, BUT GO BACK INTO FIRST GEAR.CONTACTED DEALER.CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK
Official recalls
0No 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
1EA02030 · 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.