THE FRAME OF MY CAR FELL OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY AFTER I HAD ALREADY REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND HAD BEEN DENIED SERVICES TO GET IT FIXED.
2002 Buick Lesabre
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Lesabre years
Owner complaints for the 2002 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
220 reports with mileage · 90 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 115 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
13 reportsTRANSMISSION SHIFT SOL AND PRESSURE SENSORS ARE MELTING ON VALVE BODY TRANNY HEAT IS FRING THE CONNECTORS AND DAMAGING THE TRANNY . U CAN SMELL THE PLASTIC BURNIGBURNING
WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT MY BUICK BACK IN 2002 WE HAVE HAD TRANNY PROBLEMS WITH NOISES AND HESITATION. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVEBODY. THAT DIDN'T HELP THE NOISE BUT IT HELPED THE HESITATION. THE NOISE IS A WHINING NOISE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR BUT WHEN YOU GET IN THIRD IT GOES AWAY. THAT IS DUE T…
Read full complaint
WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT MY BUICK BACK IN 2002 WE HAVE HAD TRANNY PROBLEMS WITH NOISES AND HESITATION. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVEBODY. THAT DIDN'T HELP THE NOISE BUT IT HELPED THE HESITATION. THE NOISE IS A WHINING NOISE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR BUT WHEN YOU GET IN THIRD IT GOES AWAY. THAT IS DUE TO A BAD SUN GEAR. WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF MY TRANSMISSION. WE TRIED TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO HELP US BUT THEY JUST SAID IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR (TYPICAL DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY). AFTER $3200 AND 4 DAYS WE HAD A NEW TRANNY. I DROVE IT FOR 3 DAYS AND THE WHINING NOISE CAME BACK. I AM GOING TO TAKE IT BACK AND TELL THE TO FIX IT BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL LIKE PAYING $3200 FOR ANOTHER TRANNY. *TR
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 2002 BUICK LE SABRE (FAILURE MILEAGE: 60000) AT 25 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND DIDN'T SEEM TO INCREASE SPEED. *JB UPDATED 02/16/07. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND REPRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM DROVE THE VEHICLE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WAS MAY 2005 HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AGAIN JUNE 14, 2006. …
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND REPRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM DROVE THE VEHICLE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WAS MAY 2005 HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AGAIN JUNE 14, 2006. THE REPRESENTATIVE HEARD THE NOISE HOWEVER STATED IT WAS TOO FAINT. THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR MAKE ANY REPAIRS UNTIL THE NOISE GETS LOUDER. THE DEALERSHIP AND REPRESENTATIVE BOTH BELIEVE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED A FAILURE COULD OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE NOISE. 08/02/06 CONTACTED REQUESTED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT BE REPLACED; AT TIMES TRAC-OFF LIGHT COMES ON; AND THE GAS CAP LOOSE LIGHT COMES ON. NO CODES FOUND. *TT
MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS MOMENT GETTING A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE INTAKE SYSTEM DUE TO THE USE OF THE RECOMMENDED FLUIDS. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND BUICK REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHAT CAN I DO, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, AND WHY…
Read full complaint
MY 2002 BUICK LESABRE IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS MOMENT GETTING A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE INTAKE SYSTEM DUE TO THE USE OF THE RECOMMENDED FLUIDS. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND BUICK REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHAT CAN I DO, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, AND WHY HASN'T A CLASS ACTION SUIT BEEN STARTED TO RECTIFY THIS ABOMINABLE SITUATION? THANK YOU. DR. GERALD M. LEVITT. *JB
2002 BUICK LESABRE. VIN [XXX]. VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, FLOOR, AND HARD SURFACES OF INTERIOR, AT SPEEDS STARTING AT 60 MPH. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. REDESIGNED UPPER CONTROL WERE INSTALLED. NONE OF THESE HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. ON 7/25/2003 THE BUICK SERVICE CONDUCTED A ROAR TEST WITH AN ELECTRONIC VIBRATION A…
Read full complaint
2002 BUICK LESABRE. VIN [XXX]. VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, FLOOR, AND HARD SURFACES OF INTERIOR, AT SPEEDS STARTING AT 60 MPH. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. REDESIGNED UPPER CONTROL WERE INSTALLED. NONE OF THESE HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. ON 7/25/2003 THE BUICK SERVICE CONDUCTED A ROAR TEST WITH AN ELECTRONIC VIBRATION ANALYZER AND FOUND READINGS OF 02 TO 03 HERTZ. THE "STANDARD" SHOULD BE BELOW 07. WHY WOULD THEY DO ALL THE PREVIOUS WORK IF THEY COULD OF DONE THIS TEST EARLIER AND SAVED A LOT OF MONEY. I BELIEVE THEY MADE THIS STANDARD TO AVOID FIXING THE PROBLEM. I FOUND 4 BUICK TSB'S ( #00310007A, 10/01/01,#000310007B, 06/01/02, #000310007C, 08/01/02,AND #000310007D, 03/01/03) TAT REFER TO A VIBRATION PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED BUICK BY LETTER AND TELEPHONE ( SERVICE REQUEST #1-238363526, AUGUST, 2004). I FILED A COMPLAINT (AND LOST) WITH THE BBB [XXX]. I FEEL THAT BUICK HAS STONEWALLED ME BY REFUSING TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE "LUXURY" CAR I PAID FOR.*AK THERE IS A THUMP/POPPING SOUND FELT IN THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT AT SHOULDER HEIGHT AS IF SHIFTS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO LUBE BUT NO CHANGE. REPLACED BEARING MOUNT SHIELD STRUT AND SEAT TO ELIMINATE NOISE. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK SUPPORT PUSHES INTO LOWER BACK OF PASSENGER WHEN COMING TO A STOP. PASSENGER SEAT BACK HORIZONTAL SUPPORT REPLACED. *TT UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO A SCHOOL EVENT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, MY 2002 BUICK LE SABRE'S SPEED STARTED SLOWING DOWN. PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT SPEED UP THE CAR. REALIZING THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT, I PANICKED BUT WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR THROUGH TRAFFIC AND FINALLY STALL AT AN EXIT RAMP. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AGAIN…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO A SCHOOL EVENT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, MY 2002 BUICK LE SABRE'S SPEED STARTED SLOWING DOWN. PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT SPEED UP THE CAR. REALIZING THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT, I PANICKED BUT WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR THROUGH TRAFFIC AND FINALLY STALL AT AN EXIT RAMP. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AGAIN BUT IT DID NOT WANT TO START. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL GAGE SHOWED THE CAR DID HAVE GAS. THINKING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL A GAS ISSUE, I CALLED A FRIEND TO BRING SOME GAS. AFTER A 45 MINUTE WAIT I POURED TWO GALLONS INTO THE FUEL TANK. AT THIS TIME I RESTARTED THE CAR BUT WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT, THE SHIFTER FELT VERY LOOSE AND WAS NOT CATCHING ANY GEARS. THE SHIFTER WOULD JUST FALL THROUGH. AFTER TRYING TWO MORE TIMES THE CAR STILL FAILED TO MOVE IN EITHER DIRECTION. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP. AT THE REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE. I MENTIONED TO THE SHOP MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS NEVER ANY TYPE OF INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. EVERYTHING CAR WAS WORKING FINE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE BECAUSE IT OCCURRED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IT COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A LIFE AND DEATH ISSUE. IN RESEARCHING THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION MODEL #4T65E FOR MY LESABRE, I NOTICED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL FAILURE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME TYPE OF TRANSMISSION AND THAT MANY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED BEFORE THE CAR IS THREE YEARS OLD. EVEN THE SHOP TECHNICIAN WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON A FAIRLY NEW TWO YEAR OLD CAR. THE CAR HAS ONLY 50000 MILES ON IT.*AK I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE BEFORE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OCCURS. I DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY TO BECOME A STATISTIC. PLEASE LET ME KNOW SOON AS TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REMEDY MY SITUATION.
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN ANY SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK INTO GEAR OR PERFORM ERRATICALLY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB
WHATEVER ILLUMINATES THE GEARSHIFT POSITION IS SOMETIMES TOO DULL TO MAKE OUT THE LETTERS. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY REFER ME TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *LA
Official recalls
202V222000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
02V067000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
Mar 6, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
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.
Illustration