Owners filed 310 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › power window devices and controls. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
06000060,000 milesMedian miles at failure
218 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
81
0
0
0
Structure
25
0
0
0
Air Bags
21
5
0
2
Visibility
16
0
0
0
Engine
10
0
6
0
Unknown or Other
9
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
8
0
1
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
7
0
0
0
Electrical System
7
0
1
0
Vehicle Speed Control
6
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal02V222000
Filed Aug 9, 2002133,221 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)02V067000
Filed Mar 6, 2002249 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires
Filed Aug 19, 2026OH
On May 2, 2026, I received a letter by mail from Kumho Tires regarding a set of tires that I purchased, in December 2023; DOT # 2222 and 2223, size, 225/60 R16 98T. In their letter they state that tires with DOT #'s ranging from 0421-0523 were recalled. They go on to state the following: tires ranging with DOT #'s 0421-0523 were "non compliant" and "it is possible that an affected tire could fail in a manner that may lead to a loss of control that could increase the risk of a crash without warning". They then concluded by stating I was entitled to a full refund given that I responded to their letter in 180 days, which I did. However, despite various attempts to contact Kumho tires, I have been unsuccessful in obtaining a refund from them or Tire Choice, which is the company I received the tires from, directly.
EngineFire
Filed Jan 15, 2021200,000 milesCT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE VALVE COVER WAS FAULTY AND OIL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE LOCAL DEALER WALLINGFORD BUICK LOCATED AT 1122 OLD NORTH COLONY RD, WALLINGFORD, CT 06492 AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 27, 2020100,000 milesIL
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.
Service BrakesCrash
Filed Aug 20, 2020200,000 milesMD
WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO STOP, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL AND WAS MOVING MY FOOT OVER TO THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPEED UP; I HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKE EXTRA HARD TO STOP IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MORE THAN ONCE. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I HAD ONE PARKING LOT ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed May 15, 2019NY
CPSC: THE HEATED SEAT IN MY VEHICLE HAS BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 26, 2019230,000 milesIA
IN A SMALL TOWN, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT THE HIGHWAY CROSSROAD WITH 2-3 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND STARTED BRAKING. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY REVVED, I MOVED MY FOOT TO TRY TO RAISE THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR; IT WOULD NOT RAISE. I IMMEDIATELY PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND AS PULLING AS CLOSE TO CURB AS POSSIBLE, I SHUT THE IGNITION OFF, THEN PLACED IN PARK. IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK HOME UNTIL WE CAN DEAL WITH IT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO ACT QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON.
SeatsFire1 injured
Filed Jan 11, 2019210,000 milesNY
THE HEATED SEATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT.
Structure › BodyFire
Filed Dec 6, 2018MS
WAS DRIVING AND AS I PULLED TO REDLIGHT VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS BUT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM THE MOTOR
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 24, 201855,000 milesKY
WINDOW MOTOR HAS GONE OUT NUMEROUS TIMES ON FRONT 2 WINDOWS AND HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED.LAST TIME DRIVERS SIDE WAS REPAIRED WAS 4-17-2014.THAT WAS 3RD REPAIR .HAS SINCE BROKEN AGAIN BUT I DID NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN. BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OPEN WHILE ON INTERSTATE 2 YEARS AGO. MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT WITH AROUND 60,000 MILES.THESE ISSUES STARTED WITHIN 3 OR 4 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED IT NEW. THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I TAKE MY CAR SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN MANY LESABRES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.GM DOESN'T SEEM TO FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM.I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAVE WRITTEN AND CALLED THEM SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT MY CONCERNS.JUST WISH THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR POOR ENGINEERING.
EngineFire
Filed Jun 11, 2018900,000 milesSD
DROVE CAR 0.2 MILES PARKED CAR WENT INTO WALMART CAR WAS SEEN SMOKING IN PARKING LOT ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE FIRE DEPT CAME TALKED TO AUTO SHOP THEY SAID IT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS YEAR OF VEHICLE MANY TIMES DUE TO A MANUFACTURER ISSUE
Service BrakesCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 9, 2018200,000 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURY, WHICH POPPED OUT OF PLACE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ULTIMATE TOWING AND RECOVERY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Jan 19, 2018116,098 milesWY
ON STARTUP THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED BREAKING THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND CATCHING THE ENGINE ON FIRE
Steering
Filed Jul 9, 2017CO
12-1-10 86587M, BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 1-21-15 119486M, RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD REPLACED.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 14, 2017WI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, FRACTURED EYE SOCKETS, AND HEAD INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V222000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 10, 2017165,000 milesOH
GOT. INTO A. ACCIDENT ON 6 /9/2017 I WAS TRAVELING 35 TO37 MLS. PER HOUR A DARK BLUE VAN TRIED TO GO BEFORE ME COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY COMING TOWARDS ME SHE TURN IN FOUNT OF ME I HIT HER ON PASSAGE SIDE OF VAN IT WAS A MAJOR ACCIDENT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WE WERE ON PERKINS ST OF AKRON OHIO. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air Bags
Filed Mar 3, 2017175,000 milesNH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Air Bags
Filed Dec 29, 2016118,000 milesOK
SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED - WARMING UP AT IDLE - IN 4 DEGREE F OUTSIDE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE - HAVING BEEN IN HIGH WIND CONTAINING SANDY DIRT PARTICLES OVERNIGHT - VEHICLE UNOCCUPIED - STATIONARY IN RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Dec 19, 2016144,000 milesOK
CAR PARKED IN HOME DRIVEWAY UNOCCUPIED, SITTING STILL, RUNNING TO WARM UP IN VERY COLD AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE (5 DEGREES F. SIDE AIR BAGS ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED DAMAGING THE SEATS AND INTERIOR TRIM.
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2016108,000 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL AND COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 01/23/2017*CT *CN
Air BagsCrash
Filed Nov 4, 2016115,000 milesFL
DRIVING VEHICLE ON ROAD IN SUBDIVISION WHEN GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL STRIKING A GARAGE DOOR AND WALL WITH GREAT IMPACT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. CAR WAS TOTALED. NO ELSE IN CAR. *TR
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Aug 9, 2002. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.