IllustrationTHE PADDED DASH COVER STARTED PULLING AWAY FROM THE DASH BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE GAP IS INCREASING IN SIZE AS IT MOVES TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
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
410–25K
4825–50K
4650–75K
3675–100K
31100–150K
18150K+
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
What owners actually said
310 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INITIAL START-UP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND APPEARED TO MISFIRE. THE CONTACT THEN SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INITIAL START-UP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND APPEARED TO MISFIRE. THE CONTACT THEN SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,213. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA UPDATED 6/26/14*CN UPDATED 7/29/17*CN
IN 2008 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND DASHBOARD POPPED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE WINDOW AND PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I WAS DRIVING, IF I HAD NOT BEEN IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK…
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IN 2008 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND DASHBOARD POPPED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE WINDOW AND PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I WAS DRIVING, IF I HAD NOT BEEN IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. BUICK HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR OFFER HELP WITH THE DASHBOARD WARPING TILL IT POPS UP AND BLINDS THE DRIVER. I AM SURE IT WOULD AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS AS WELL. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND BUICK JUST LOOKS THE OTHER WAY. *TR
WINDOW MOTORS ON ALL WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. IF A CRASH HAD OCCURRED I WOULD BE UNABLE TO OPEN WINDOW TO ESCAPE IF UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR. TALKED TO BUICK AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW MOTORS, I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER BUICK LESABRE OWNERS (AT LEAST 100) AND TH…
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WINDOW MOTORS ON ALL WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. IF A CRASH HAD OCCURRED I WOULD BE UNABLE TO OPEN WINDOW TO ESCAPE IF UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR. TALKED TO BUICK AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW MOTORS, I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER BUICK LESABRE OWNERS (AT LEAST 100) AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE WINDOW MOTORS FAILING AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A FEW OWNERS STATING BEING UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AFTER A CRASH BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT OPEN THE VEHICLE WINDOWS. AGAIN BUICK HAS NOT OFFERED ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER NOR HAVE THEY EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VHIECLE WAS STARTED AND THE SEAT BELT WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SDM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VHIECLE WAS STARTED AND THE SEAT BELT WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SDM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,370.
THIS I HAVE FOUND OUT ONLINE IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR I HAD A FEW WINDOWS SUDDENLY DROP ON ME & I FIGURED OUT THE WINDOW MOTORS IN 2 WERE BROKEN, HOWEVER WHEN THEY DROPPED I ALSO FOUND OUT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN MY DOOR WERE DAMAGED FROM THE WINDOW MOTOR FAILURE, SO NOW ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR I HAVE NO MIRRO…
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THIS I HAVE FOUND OUT ONLINE IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR I HAD A FEW WINDOWS SUDDENLY DROP ON ME & I FIGURED OUT THE WINDOW MOTORS IN 2 WERE BROKEN, HOWEVER WHEN THEY DROPPED I ALSO FOUND OUT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN MY DOOR WERE DAMAGED FROM THE WINDOW MOTOR FAILURE, SO NOW ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR I HAVE NO MIRROR ADJUSTMENT, NO UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON FOR SAFETY IN DANGEROUS AREAS I DRIVE, SOME WINDOWS (HAD ALL 4 MOTORS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME) WORK & SOME DON'T FROM CERTAIN AREAS, I EVEN FOUND AFTER I USED MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR, THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN! SO TO FIX THE PROBLEM I PERSONALLY HAD TO DISCONNECT THE NEW WINDOW MOTOR AS WELL AS THE TRUNK. ALSO FOR COMFORT IN HEAT MY HEATED SEAT DOESN'T WORK FROM MY DRIVER DOOR. MY CAR RUNS PERFECT BUT THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR OWNERS LONG AGO FOR 2000-2005 BUICK LESABRES. *TR
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON NOV. 1, 2013, THE DASHBOARD PAD WAS ALREADY BUCKLING. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30000 MILES ON IT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ANYONE RIDING IN THE FRONT SEAT. *TR
2002 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE DRUMS, THAT MELTED AND SEVERED THE FRONT BRAKE WIRING, EXACTLY AT THE POINT WHEN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WIRES TRAVELED FROM THE ENGINE AND ENTERED THE BRAKE DRUMS. THE CONSUMER A…
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2002 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE DRUMS, THAT MELTED AND SEVERED THE FRONT BRAKE WIRING, EXACTLY AT THE POINT WHEN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WIRES TRAVELED FROM THE ENGINE AND ENTERED THE BRAKE DRUMS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE, THE THREE OUT OF THE FOUR WINDOWS COLLAPSED IN THE DOWN POSITION, AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ENGINE AND THE HOOD WERE DEFECTIVE, AS THE PAINT ON THE HOOD MELTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DROPPED INTO THE DOOR PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED HOW…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DROPPED INTO THE DOOR PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,179.
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.