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2003 Buick Lesabre

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lesabre years

Owner complaints for the 2003 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

119 reports with mileage · 45 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.

  • Structure. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Structure complaints

57 reports
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46,573 miles · Jul 22, 2012
Air BagsStructure

DASHBOARD HAS WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANIC FRIENDS OF MINE, DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL MOST LIKELY BE COMPROMISED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE BUICKS! WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? CHECK THIS WEB…

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DASHBOARD HAS WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANIC FRIENDS OF MINE, DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL MOST LIKELY BE COMPROMISED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE BUICKS! WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? CHECK THIS WEBSITE AND YOU'LL SEE HOW PROLIFIC A PROBLEM THIS IS! HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-C5295_DS45613 NOT TO MENTION THE MONEY LOST BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO SELL THESE LEMONS. 2000-2005 BUICK OWNERS ARE IN DANGER. AND YOU'VE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT! IF THIS WAS TOYOTA, YOU WOULD HAVE RECALLED EVERY CAR THEY MAKE AND FINED THEM ANOTHER 50 MILLION DOLLARS. STOP THE HYPOCRISY. INTELLIGENT AMERICANS SEE THROUGH THIS SELECTIVE PUNISHMENT. DO YOUR JOB! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466927

46,000 miles · Mar 21, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD COVER WAS DELAMINATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD COVER WAS DELAMINATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10452486

35,000 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD BECOME FRACTURED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD BECOME FRACTURED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10452297

81,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Structure

THE DASHBOARD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE BASE AT THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND HAS POPPED UP. IT WAS ABOUT AN INCH LONG AND UP IN DECEMBER BUT HAS PROGRESSED TO NOW HALF-WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AND IS STICKING UP ABOUT 4 INCHES. I HAVE READ OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM HAVING A CONCERN ABOUT IT CREATING A PROBLEM…

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THE DASHBOARD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE BASE AT THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND HAS POPPED UP. IT WAS ABOUT AN INCH LONG AND UP IN DECEMBER BUT HAS PROGRESSED TO NOW HALF-WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AND IS STICKING UP ABOUT 4 INCHES. I HAVE READ OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM HAVING A CONCERN ABOUT IT CREATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE EXPENSE OF REPAIR HAS BEEN QUOTED AT ABOUT $1,200 PARTS AND LABOR. THAT IS TOO EXPENSIVE. WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS. POSSIBLY TRADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449122

47,000 miles · Jan 28, 2012
Structure

THERE IS A CONTINUOUSLY GROWING DASHBOARD BUBBLE (ON TOP) ON THE DRIVER SIDE BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WINDSHIELD AS A RESULT OF DASHBOARD COVER SEPARATION DUE TO CLIP(S) FAILURE - IT HAS BEEN SPREADING ACROSS THE DASH TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND NOW THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT POTENTIAL PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES. *T…

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THERE IS A CONTINUOUSLY GROWING DASHBOARD BUBBLE (ON TOP) ON THE DRIVER SIDE BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WINDSHIELD AS A RESULT OF DASHBOARD COVER SEPARATION DUE TO CLIP(S) FAILURE - IT HAS BEEN SPREADING ACROSS THE DASH TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND NOW THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT POTENTIAL PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445678

109,777 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Structure

THE DASH BOARD IS SEPARATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445011

83,000 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Structure

THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED AND IS SEPARATED FROM ITS FRONT ATTACHMENT CHANNEL THEREBY EXHIBITING A GAP. THIS CONDITION WAS OBSERVED ONE DAY, WHICH WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT OR OTHER UNUSUAL EVENT. THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS FROM THIS RESULTANT CONDITION NEED TO BE EVALUATED AND FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER THROUGH A R…

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THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED AND IS SEPARATED FROM ITS FRONT ATTACHMENT CHANNEL THEREBY EXHIBITING A GAP. THIS CONDITION WAS OBSERVED ONE DAY, WHICH WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT OR OTHER UNUSUAL EVENT. THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS FROM THIS RESULTANT CONDITION NEED TO BE EVALUATED AND FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER THROUGH A RECALL, ESPECIALLY IF SAFETY COULD BE AFFECTED. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOMINALLY GARAGED THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE. THE CAR HAS BEEN USED ONLY (99.9%) BY ITS RETIRED OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440943

70,000 miles · Oct 5, 2011
Structure

THE DASHBOARD RIGHT BEHIND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEPARATED AND LIFTED. A POPPED DASHBOARD BETWEEN STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT GLASS IS BEING REPORTED HUNDREDS OF TIMES. CANNOT FORCE THE DASH BACK INTO POSITION. DEALER SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW DASH. HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR REPORTS ARE ON THE WEBSITE BELOW. HTTP://WWW.CARG…

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THE DASHBOARD RIGHT BEHIND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEPARATED AND LIFTED. A POPPED DASHBOARD BETWEEN STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT GLASS IS BEING REPORTED HUNDREDS OF TIMES. CANNOT FORCE THE DASH BACK INTO POSITION. DEALER SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW DASH. HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR REPORTS ARE ON THE WEBSITE BELOW. HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-C5295_DS45613. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428826

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2011
Air BagsStructure

I HAVE A 2003 BUICK LESABRE THAT THE DASH HAS COME UNGLUED AND HAS BUCKLED UP HALF WAY ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE DASH IS MAINLY AFFECTED IN THE AREA INFRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT IS GETTING WORSE AND SPREADING TOWARDS THE CENTER AND PASSENGER SIDE. I'M REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. SO AFRAID THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT WORK CORREC…

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I HAVE A 2003 BUICK LESABRE THAT THE DASH HAS COME UNGLUED AND HAS BUCKLED UP HALF WAY ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE DASH IS MAINLY AFFECTED IN THE AREA INFRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT IS GETTING WORSE AND SPREADING TOWARDS THE CENTER AND PASSENGER SIDE. I'M REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. SO AFRAID THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT WORK CORRECTLY IN AN EMERGENCY, OR EVEN WORSE, THAT THE AIRBAGS GO OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON! I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS AN INTERNET LINK WITH A BUICK LESABRE FORUM WHERE MANY OTHER DISSATISFIED LESABRE OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THEREFORE, I KNOW MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME GM WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. AN ESTIMATE OF $525.49 WAS GIVEN JUST FOR A NEW UPPER DASH. THIS DID NOT INCLUDE LABOR. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426384

150,000 miles · Sep 15, 2011
Structure

DASH BOARD SEPARATION. THE DASH BOARD IS BUCKLED AND SEPARATING IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS AREA, AND IS STARTING TO SEPARATE IN FRONT OF PASSENGER SEAT, JUST ABOVE TRIM ABOVE GLOVE BOX. FRONT OF DASHBOARD IS RAISING, NEARING LINE OF SIGHT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10425611

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.