RIGHT WHEEL BEARING GOING BAD AT 72000 MILES. THE LEFT ONE WAS REPLACED AT 50000 MILDX
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.
What owners actually said
310 reportsVIBRATION: DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CAUSED VIBRATION WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON MY 2002 BUICK LASABRE. FOUND THAT TIE RODS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONLY ON MAIN ROADS AND HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE FRONT END. *AK
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…
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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)
WHEEL BEARING. *SC THE WHEEL BEARING CAUSED THE TIRE TO WEAR TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS GETTING READY TO BLOW OUT. *JB
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY A MOTORIST WHO WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *JB
I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT I NEED TO CHANGE MY ANTIFREEZE FROM DEX-COOL TO ETHYLEN GLYCOL, AS THE DEXCOOLANT IS DIRTY AND SUGARY AND I AM LOOKING AT ELECTROLISIS PROBLEMS IN MY COOLING SYSTEM IF I DON'T CHANGE IT. WHY WOULD A REPUTABLE COMPANY LIKE BUICK PUT AN INFERIOR PRODUCT IN THEIR VEHICLE? IS THERE A CLASS ACT…
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I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT I NEED TO CHANGE MY ANTIFREEZE FROM DEX-COOL TO ETHYLEN GLYCOL, AS THE DEXCOOLANT IS DIRTY AND SUGARY AND I AM LOOKING AT ELECTROLISIS PROBLEMS IN MY COOLING SYSTEM IF I DON'T CHANGE IT. WHY WOULD A REPUTABLE COMPANY LIKE BUICK PUT AN INFERIOR PRODUCT IN THEIR VEHICLE? IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT BEING FILED AGAINST DEX COOLANT?. *AK
THE FRONT HEAD RESTS FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE. THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE HEAD REST HAD FALLEN DOWN, THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB *SC
WHEN BACKING OUT A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND FROM THE REAR BRAKES WAS PRODUCED. *AK
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…
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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 IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES SEPARATED. THIS CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES TO SCRATCH THE WINDSHIELD, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THEEM. *AK *SC *JB
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.
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