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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.

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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.

15 crash reports12 fire reports15 injury reports

Visibility complaints

115 reports
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115,000 miles · May 9, 2011
StructureVisibility

DASH PAD COMING LOOSE, BOWING UP IN FRONT OF DRIVER, BECOMING DETACHED IN CRUCIAL AREA AT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. TO REPAIR WILL COST AROUND $950 PARTS AND LABOR. ALSO WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN WINDOWS THAT ARE USED THE LEAST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399719

70,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW ABRUPTLY RELEASED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW EXHIBITED THE SIMILAR FAILURE AS THE FRONT PASSENGER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW ABRUPTLY RELEASED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW EXHIBITED THE SIMILAR FAILURE AS THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 02/28/11

NHTSA ODI #10373884

40,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN INTO THE DOOR AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN INTO THE DOOR AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND HAD CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE LAST REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10371826

45,000 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW MOTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO REMAIN STUCK. THE DEALER MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CURRENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW MOTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO REMAIN STUCK. THE DEALER MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10370634

64,141 miles · Dec 1, 2010
Visibility

2002 BUICK LESABRE - POWERED REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE 2X. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368485

60,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Electrical SystemVisibility

BOTH FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED TO GO UP AFTER PUT IN THE DOWN POSITION. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH WIDOW REGULATOR'S AT A COST OF 450.00. ONLY 60,732 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351359

70,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY NINE MON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY NINE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10350062

90,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Visibility

WINDOW FALLS INTO THE DOOR WITHOUT INPUT FROM DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BUICK LESABRE CARS AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM AS A DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350005

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2010
Visibility

I HAVE A 2002 YEAR BUICK LESABRE WHERE THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS WOULD NOT RAISE UP OR DOWN FULLY. I HAD TO MANUALLY RAISED EACH WINDOW NY HAND TO CLOSE IT IF ACCIDENTALLY LOWERED BY A PASSENGER. WE GOT ONE OF OUR WINDOWS REPLACED FOR $600. I BOUGHT THE OTHER PART FOR OUR REAR WINDOW FOR ABOUT 60 DOLLARS AND HAD A MECHANIC P…

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I HAVE A 2002 YEAR BUICK LESABRE WHERE THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS WOULD NOT RAISE UP OR DOWN FULLY. I HAD TO MANUALLY RAISED EACH WINDOW NY HAND TO CLOSE IT IF ACCIDENTALLY LOWERED BY A PASSENGER. WE GOT ONE OF OUR WINDOWS REPLACED FOR $600. I BOUGHT THE OTHER PART FOR OUR REAR WINDOW FOR ABOUT 60 DOLLARS AND HAD A MECHANIC PLACED IN MUCH CHEAPER THAN THE FORMER DEALERSHIP CHARGED. WITH ONE OF THE CHILD-PROOF REAR WINDOWS NOW LOCKED WITH A PIECE OF WOOD HOLDING IT UP IN THE DOOR WINDOW THIS MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE IF THIS CAR EVER IS SUBMERGED IN WATER OR SOME OTHER COMPROMISING POSITION WITH THE REAR PASSENGER NEEDING TO ESCAPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349791

38,000 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THE GLASS ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE WINDOW MOUNT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CABLE MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THE GLASS ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE WINDOW MOUNT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CABLE MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE, STATING THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343425

Official recalls

2

02V222000 · 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

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.