2004 Buick Lesabre

Routine

Owners filed 162 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
63,900 milesMedian miles at failure

126 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System32
010
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel25
000
Structure13
000
Air Bags10
408
Unknown or Other6
000
Power Train6
000
Tires5
000
Fuel/Propulsion System5
000
Engine5
020
Suspension3
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jun 13, 2024IN

The backup camera will stay in 'night' brightness mode for 15 seconds while backing out of the garage into daylight. This makes the video screen usless until the 15 second delay is over. I have asked several times at the dealership since I purchased this vehicle new, and they say nothing can be done. Not only is this a huge safety issue but it also is an enviromental issue as may times I must wait in the driveway with the car needlessly idling until the 15 seconds is up. This is seems to be a simple software update to remove the delay when the car is in reverse.

Power Train
Filed Nov 14, 2022OR

Car has hard shift's that get worse when the car is up to temperature. Fuel gauge show's false reading. Two window regulators failed.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 5, 2022CO

Fuel vapor system leaks gas fumes into car. Replaced all fuel lines, pulled tank, renewed canister. 10 months later fumes are again entering car cabin. 105,000 total miles.

Power Train
Filed Oct 21, 2021OH

Drove to the store, transmission was hard shifting and then wouldn't hardly move at all. Almost got hit three x!! Very tramatized. How is it that on just one of many web pages 400 people had this problem 140 complained about it! that's just one website! how has this problem not been fixed and recalled?

Service Brakes, Air › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Jun 30, 2021116,500 milesVA

The contact owns a 2004 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated while driving 35 mph and depressing on the brake pedal, the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle gradually decreased in speed to a stop. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving to his residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake lines were leaking brake fluid. The independent mechanic repaired the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic and three additional brake lines were replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact was concerned that after inspecting the vehicle himself, he became aware that one of the brake lines was rusted which might cause the failure to recur. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage approximately was 116,500.

Power Train
Filed Feb 23, 2021KY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Mar 27, 2020OH

I CONTINUE SMELLING AN OIL-BURNING SMELL AND MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND I HAVE REPLACED TO BLUB OVER AND OVER

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 201999,990 milesNY

WHEN FIRST STARTING UP CAR AND THEN PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, EITHER IN REVERSE OR FORWARD, THERE IS A SURGE, LIKE THE CABLE IS STICKING. NOT SURE WHY, MAYBE DUE FROM AGE OF CAR OR AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL ISSUE. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED ABOUT 85% OF ITS LIFE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 10, 2019140,000 milesOH

THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY ACCELERATES AS HIGH AS 50-60MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR HAS TO BE THROWN IN NEUTRAL OR STOPPED SOME PLACE SAFE, AT WHICH POINT IT REVS UP PAST 3000 RPM UNTIL THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO THROTTLE IT BACK DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS IN REVERSE WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AS WELL, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO DO THIS UPON STARTING OR WHILE IT IS WARMING UP. IT CAN BE ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY AND AT ANY SPEED WHEN IT STARTS REVVING HIGH. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT CLUSTERS SOMETIMES SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW AS CONSTANT AND THEN GOING A MONTH WITHOUT DOING IT AT ALL. IT DOES SEEM TO BE MORE LIKELY TO ACCELERATE AFTER HITTING A DIP (LIKE NEAR WHERE A DRAIN IS IN A PARKING LOT) BUT THAT MAY BE JUST COINCIDENTAL. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH A TUNE UP DONE AND THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED ALONG WITH SOME OTHER TROUBLE-SHOOTING WITH THE THROTTLE AT A COST (THUS FAR) OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THIS SO FREQUENTLY IN THE LAST FEW DAYS THAT IS HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2018200,000 milesMS

THE ENGINE STALLS AND JERKED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO GO THE GEARS DIDN'T SHIFT LIKE USUAL. DRIVING LONG DISTANCES IT DOESN'T DO THIS UNTIL YOU'RE DRIVING AND STOPPING EVERY SO OFTEN. SOMETIMES TURNING INTO A PLACE THE ENGINE WOULDN'T GO AND ALMOST CAUSED CRASHES.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 19, 201815 milesOH

TAKATA RECALL WIRE HARNESS AND BACK SEAT BELT NOT WORKING ,LOCKING IN MOTION

EngineFire
Filed Jun 21, 201875,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Jul 3, 201798,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED ALONG THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE HAD SPREAD TO THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRACTURE COULD IMPEDE VISIBILITY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Tires
Filed Apr 26, 201786,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE EQUIPPED WITH COPPER MASTERCRAFT MC440 TIRES, SIZE: 225/60/R16 (NA). UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS SENT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE BUBBLE WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE TIRE THAT WOULD CONFIRM THE BUBBLE WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2017126,000 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE WHILE THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Mar 21, 201770,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD SEPARATED FROM THE SUB STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH EXPOSED THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE DASHBOARD WOULD MOVE BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INJURY OR DEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THAT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 19, 201762,000 milesFL

THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOP WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE AND NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. THE GAS GAUGE HAS STOP WORKING I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR I HAVE TO FILL THE TANK AND CHECK IT EVERY TWO WEEKS SO I WILL NOT RUN OUT OF GAS.

Tires
Filed Feb 27, 2017101,577 milesMI

THREE OF FOUR TIRES PURCHASED HAD A BELT SEPARATION - ONE LOST A SIZEABLE PIECE OF TREAD. THIS OCCURRED OVER A SPAN OF THREE MONTHS.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 21, 201698,139 milesIL

J & K MITCHELL CASEY, IL.62420 PURCHASED ON 4/11/2014, 98,104 MILEAGE. HEADLAMPS GO OFF AT NITE DRIVING, VERY UNNERVING, FUEL GAGE, HAYWIRE FROM THE START, WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. SWAYING/SUSPENSION, WHEN TURNING, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, REPORTED THIS MANY TIMES AND TAKEN INTO DEALER..HOWEVER, NEVER TAKEN CARE OF. ONLY THING FIXED WAS SOLENOID. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 14, 201665,000 milesNY

FUEL GAGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN NEEDLE GETS BETWEEN HALF AND A QUARTER, IT BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH FROM EMPTY TO FULL. THEN AT A QUARTER FULL, IT GOES TO EMPTY AND STAYS THERE. YOU ARE NEVER SURE HOW MUCH GAS YOU REALLY HAVE AND CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP SUDDENLY.HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND STILL ON ALL ROADS.

20 of 162 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20063000Routine
200577030Routine
2004 — this page162050Routine
2003164140Routine
20023102120Above average
20013280220High concern
20006695300High concern
19992092202Fatalities reported
19984001430High concern
19973942311Fatalities reported
199698200Routine
1995178130Routine
1994158060Routine
19931941210High concern
19921892230High concern
199130130Routine
199046100Routine

Compare every Lesabre year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.