2005 Buick Lesabre

Routine

Owners filed 77 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Buick Lesabre years to avoid. Which Buick Lesabre years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
52,000 milesMedian miles at failure

59 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,000–50,000 miles.

Most common 2005 Buick Lesabre problems

24 of the 77 complaints (31%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System15
010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission5
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel5
000
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system4
000
Engine4
010
Air Bags · airbags4
102
Unknown or Other3
100
Tires3
000
Steering3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes3
102

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 28, 202592,647 milesWI

The contact owns a 2005 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fuel gauge sensors failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the fuel gauge sensor failed to provide adequate information regarding the fuel level. The fuel warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, there was an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front driver’s side hub bearing had failed to function as intended. The contact had replaced the hub bearing three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,647.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 14, 2022OR

Fuel gauge false reading. Hard shift's

Engine
Filed May 14, 2021SC

ENGINE INTAKE GASKET FAILURE

Power Train
Filed Jan 30, 202192,000 milesME

THE TRANSMISSION RARELY SLIPS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I MUST PULL OVER SHIFT OFF THE VEHICLE AND START IT AGAIN. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 2, 2020175,000 milesVA

THE HEADLIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING. IT IS NOT THE BULB AS THE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I LOCK OR UNLOCK THE CAR USING THE FOB. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE HEADLIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING, THIS WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. I JUST HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP TWO MONTHS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT I CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT AS I HAVE NO LIGHTS AND CAN'T KEEP TAKING IT TO THE SHOP AND PAYING OUT MONEY EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Aug 27, 201959,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES APPEARED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS FOR THE CONTACT'S SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BROWN & WOOD INC. (329 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC 27834, (252) 227-0948) WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER REPAIR INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 24, 201926,523 milesMO

FAILURE OF STEPPER MOTORS IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 9, 2017130,000 milesOH

MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON OR WOULD GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING . I HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. A PRELIMINARY RECALL NOTICE CAME TO ME TELLING ME TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON, UNTIL THEY FIGURED OUT THE ISSUE. AFTER ABOUT 6 TO 9 MONTHS THEY ISSUED A RECALL. THEY INDICATED IT WAS A "MODULE", I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE MODULE REPLACED. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK IN AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND SAID THAT THE MODULE WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH CONNECTIONS INSIDE THE MODULE / FUSE BOX. HE SAID IT WAS A BOX ISSUE AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $500 FOR A NEW BOX. PLEASE NOTE, NO DAMAGE OR TAMPERING HAS EVER DONE ON SAID BOX. THIS DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME. HE SAID HE WAS SORRY AND TRIED TO GIVE ME A "BREAK" ON THE PRICE. I DID NOT DESIGN THE BOX, I JUST OWN THE CAR WITH THE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT WORK UNLESS YOU PUT ON THE HIGH BEAMS. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Apr 7, 201678,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO WORK. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 8, 201648,771 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,771.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 30, 2015NC

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS MAKING THE SRS SYSTEM INOPERABLE AND MOST OF ALL A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 1/28/16 *JS

EngineFire
Filed Nov 6, 2015108,000 milesMI

2014 CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET AND HAD TO BE TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 8, 201545,000 milesFL

SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON AND COULD NEED TO BE CORRECTED BY PUTTING IN THE NEW SEAT BELT.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 10, 2015119,000 milesID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 9, 2015FL

LETTER FROM SENATOR RUBIO ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2005 BUICK LESABRE DEFECTS (ATTN: DAVID HUFF). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE, AND WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WAS PROTRUDING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALLS DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 13, 201596,180 milesIL

THE LIGHTS ON THE HEATER CONTROL QUIT WORKING MAKING IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR

Tires
Filed Dec 9, 2014133,000 milesFL

BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SE200/P215/70R/15 ORIGINALLY BOUGHT 4 OF THESE AT FIRESTONE HAVE HAD 2 REPLACED AND YESTERDAY 2 MORE AND FIRESTONE SAID THEY DON'T MAKE INSIGNIAS ANYMORE.....?? WONDER WHY BECAUSE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE!!!!!! HAD 7/32 TREAD LEFT ON THEM AND WORST WAS 6/32 AND HAD 30,000 MILES ON THEM AND ROTATED EVERY OTHER OIL CHANGE AS SCHEDULED!WARRANTY MADE ME PAY 165.00 FOR 2 NEW AFFINITY TOURING TIRES......NO DEAL THAT'S FOR SURE!!!!MECHANIC FOUND A BULGE IN TIRE SIDEWALL. NOW HAVE TO GO BACK TOMORROW AS ALL 4 TIRES ARE SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY EVEN THE NEW ONES!! BELTS WERE SEPARATED TOO ON INSIGNIAS SHAME ON B'STONE FOR ALL THE TREAD LEFT TO HAVE MANUF. SUCH A POOR TIRE!!!!!!! 2005 BUICK LESABRE DOT#WBM3E201711 . 183,000 MILES ON CAR NOW BUT ALL HIGHWAY MILEAGE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 21, 201447,800 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,800.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jul 21, 201439,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,900.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 20, 2014NC

VEHICLE DESCRIBED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION & WAS STOPPED BEHIND OTHER STOPPED TRAFFIC AT A CONTINUOUS RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL. FULL SIZE COMMERCIAL VAN FAILS TO STOP WHILE TRAVELING OVER 35MPH AND HITS (VEH DES. ABOVE), FROM BEHIND SENDING SAME VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS FAILED TO HOLD FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER, FAILED TO HOLD PASSENGER IN POSITION. THIS CAUSED ADULT HER TO BE QUICKLY TRUSTED FORWARD INTO DASH & THEN SLAMMED BACK INTO HEAD REST OF SEAT, THEN SUDDENLY THRUSTED UNDER SEATBELT AND INTO THE DASH BOARD AND ENDING UNDER THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD. BODY REPAIR IN EXCESS OF $4000. FRAME WAS TWISTED/BENT & BOTH VEHICLE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE AFTER INCIDENT. DRIVER SEAT WAS KNOCKED OFF TRACK AND WOULD NOT STAY IN A LOCKED POSITION AFTER INCIDENT. SERIOUS INJURIES & SEVERE DISABLING CONDITIONS OCCOURED SINCE THIS INCIDENT. PLEASE SEARCH FOR ANY INFORMATION TO HELP SHED LIGHT INTO THIS INCIDENT ON 11-18-2009. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 18, 201452,300 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEPPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Jun 24, 201458,800 milesNY

ON 06/08/14 BRAKE PEDAL OF MY CAR WENT TO FLOOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AT LOW SPEEDS TO ESCAPE COLLISION WITH CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHICH STOPPED ON RED LIGHT, I DIRECTED MY CAR TO POLE OF SUBWAY. IT DAMAGED FRONTAL RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR MY CAR WAS TOWED TO GEICO DIRECT SHOP QUENTIN AUTO CENTER, INC ON 06/10/14 I WAS PRESENT AT INSPECTION OF MY CAR BY GEICO ADJUSTER [XXX]. BOTH THE ADJUSTOR AND REPAIR SHOP OWNER [XXX] DETERMINED THAT BRAKE SYSTEM OF MY CAR HAS SERIOUS RUPTURE NEAR ABS UNIT RIGHT THERE I PRESENTED GEICO ADJUSTER WITH ORIGINAL INVOICE OF REPAIR OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM BY 86TH STREET CHEVROLET SAAB, INC DEALER OF GENERAL MOTORS IN JULY OF 2013 THOUGH SHE TOOK COPY OF INVOICE, SHE NEVER ADDED IT TO MY CLAIM I EXPLAINED TO ADJUSTOR AND SHOP OWNER THAT ON 07/04/13 BRAKE PEDAL OF MY CAR FAILED FOR FIRST TIME AT THAT TIME I DID NOT HAVE ACCIDENT AND MY CAR WAS UNDER MOST COMPREHENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF GENERAL MOTORS GMPP. 86TH STREET CHEVROLET SAAB, INC. DEALER OF GM REPAIRED MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY THERE IS WARRANTY THAT COVERS THE REPAIR ELEVEN MONTHS AFTER BRAKE PEDAL FAILED FOR FIRST TIME, IT REPEATED ITSELF DROVE IT LESS THAN TWO THOUSAND MILES SINCE THEN ACCORDING TO BOTH GEICO ADJUSTOR AND SHOP OWNER BRAKE SYSTEM OF CAR, THAT NOW HAS SERIOUS RUPTURE NEAR ABS UNIT, WAS ALREADY IN DANGEROUS RUSTY CONDITION DURING ITS REPAIR BY DEALER OF GM IN JULY OF LAST YEAR; DEALER IMPROPERLY REPAIRED ONLY ONE OF LINES OF BRAKE SYSTEM; THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL THE LINE

Electrical System
Filed May 11, 2014100,000 milesCO

STARTED OUT AS A HEADLAMP THAT WE THOUGHT WAS BURNED OUT. REPLACED THE BULB AND IT WORKED FOR A DAY OR TWO. NEXT THE GAS GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, HEAT AND COOLING GAUGE AND NOW BOTH HEADLAMPS DO NOT WORK. MY HUSBAND HAS TO DRIVE IN THE DARK WITH BRIGHTS ON BECAUSE THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO HEADLIGHTS . THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND GM SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WE CANNOT DRIVE OUR VEHICLE AT NIGHT UNLESS WE USE OUR BRIGHTS THE WHOLE TIME WHICH THEN BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE TO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS IS AS SERIOUS AS SEAT BELTS FAILING OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS OUT OF WHACK. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS WITH QUICK AND SERIOUS MEASURES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 10, 201483,897 milesIN

MY 2005 BUICK LESABRE HAD REAR BRAKE LINES RUST THROUGH AT 8 YEARS OLD WITH 84K. ALL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE OUT OF MATERIAL THAT DOES NOT DECAY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 29, 201486,000 milesFL

ORIGINALLY WHEN THE ISSUE HAPPENED AT RANDOM TIMES WITH THE SPEEDOMETER READINGIN INACCURATELY. NOW IT HAS FALLEN TO THE 6 O'CLOCK POSITION AND NEVER MOVES FROM THAT POSITION. I HAVE NEVER HAD IT REPAIRED WAS TOLD BY DEALERS THAT THE PART WAS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ISSUE STARTED AT AROUND 86000 MILES (RANDOM READINGS) AROUND 91000 SPEEDOMETER (FALLEN TO 6 O' CLOCK POSITION. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 21, 201462,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 BUICK LASABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH,THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS COULD ALSO DEPLOY WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, SO SHE FELT HER VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILAGE WAS 62,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 7, 201487,000 milesKY

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS MAKING THE SRS SYSTEM INOPERABLE AND MOST OF ALL A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP THANK YOU *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 6, 201362,000 milesCO

SPEEDOMETER IS INACCURATE AND VERY SPORADIC. SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GETS STUCK ON ANY NUMBER WHEN VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY STOPPED AND/OR TURNED OFF. MOST OF THE TIME HAVE TO GUESS HOW FAST OR SLOW THE VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY GOING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. AFTER READING ABOUT THE SAME TYPE OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS, I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME GM FIXES THIS PROBLEM BY INITIATING A FORMAL RECALL. MY GRANDPARENTS SWORE BY BUICK AND GM VEHICLES. I ABSOLUTELY HAVE MY DOUBTS NOW. IF PROBLEM IS NEVER RECALLED, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A BUICK OR ANY OTHER GM VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR THIS TO BE IGNORED WITH AS MANY COMMON COMPLAINTS THAT ARE FILED. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 22, 201348,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT HESITATION AND A SEVERE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNT AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. ...UPDATED 12-24-13 *BF THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET WAS FAULTY AND LEAKING OIL AND COOLANT. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO FOUND THE PLASTIC UPPER INTAKE PLENUM WARPED AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE. UPDATED 12/31/13

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 16, 201327,059 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,059. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,090. ....UPDATED 10-21-13 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS OFFERED 1,000 DOLLARS TOWARD A NEW GM VEHICLE INSTEAD OF A REPAIR. THE CONSUMER DECLINED. *JS

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 25, 2013140,000 milesOH

NEEDLES ON FUEL GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND AND POINTS VERTICAL. NEEDLE CRASHES INTO THE THERMOMETER NEEDLE THAT ALSO POINTS VERTICAL. DOES NOT CORRECTLY REGISTER FUEL OR TEMPERATURE. I AM DEPENDING ON MY ODOMETER TO GUESS AT MY FUEL LEVELS. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE STARTED AFTER MY "LOOSE GAS CAP" ALARM CAME ON. I HAD CAP REPLACED 2 TIMES, LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. THIS, OF COURSE MAKES THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHT STAY ON. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 23, 201255,100 milesIL

TOOK VEHICLE WITH 55,100 MILES TO THE AUTHORIZED GM DEALER AFTER SHUTTERING AND BARELY BEGINNING TO MOVE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE AUTHORIZED GM DEALER STATED "INSPECTED, NO CODES IN SYSTEM, ERRATIC SHIFT POINTS, DELAY SHIFT THRU 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, GOES TO 4TH GEAR. RECOMMENDS SRTA TRANS (3YR/100,000 WARRANTY) $3782.64." *TR

Interior Lighting
Filed Oct 23, 2012150,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME EXTREMELY RESISTANT AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 10, 2012123,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CHORDS WERE OVERHEATED AND THE MEDAL HAD BECOME UNBEARABLY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 21, 2012AL

THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD SHOW LOWER SPEED THAN I WAS GOING, THEN IT WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. THE TEMP. GAGE WOULD GO PAST HOT, THEN PEG OUT. REPLACED VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR DID NOT FIX. REPLACED TEMP. SENSOR DID NOT FIX. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 23, 201142,000 milesTN

INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ON RADIO, HEAT/AIR CONTROLS, STEERING WHEEL RADIO/CRUISE CONTROL CONTROLS STARTED BURNING OUT ONE BY ONE. THINKING THAT IT WOULD BE A SIMPLE, CHEAP FIX, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NO LONGER JUST FIX THE BURNED OUT BULBS, BUT HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL MODULE JUST TO FIX THE LIGHT. WHAT WAS ONCE A $10-$20 FIX HAS NOW BECOME A $150-$200 FIX PER MODULE. ONE MODULE CAN CONTAIN ONE OR TWO LIGHT BULBS, SO IF YOU HAVE 6 OR 8 BURNED OUT BULBS, IT CAN COST YOU UP TO $1600 TO FIX! SECONDLY, AROUND SEPTEMBER 2010, THE RPM GAUGE PEGGED OUT AND THEN DROPPED TO THE SIX O'CLOCK POSITION. EVER SINCE THEN, SOMETIMES IT WORKS ERRATICALLY AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. THEN, ABOUT JANUARY 2011, MY FUEL GAUGE STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. WHEN MY TANK WAS FULL, IT WOULD READ EMPTY OR HALF FULL. AFTER RE-STARTING MY CAR, IT WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL, ONLY TO ACT FUNNY THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER GM CARS THAT USED THE SAME DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS THAT ARE INSTALLED IN THE 2002-2005 BUICK LESABRES, BUT FOR SOME REASON, THE LESABRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHERE GM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT COST ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THIS ISN'T RIGHT! WITH FAULTY INSTRUMENT PANELS, IT ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE! AND IF YOU WANT TO GET IT REPLACED,IT WILL COST YOU AROUND $800-900!!!!

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 9, 201140,000 milesAR

THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS AROUND 40,000 MILES. THE GAS GAUGE WOULD NOT WORK, AFTER FILLING IT UP THE GAUGE WOULD "STICK" OR THE HAND WOULD DROP DOWN TO THE THERMOSTAT NEEDLE. VERY ERRATIC. CARRIED IT TO THE DEALER AND NATURALLY, EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE WORKING. 52,000 MILES AND THE GAUGE IS DEAD - OF COURSE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT ALSO. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUSTER OF GAUGES AND I COULD NOT AFFORD THAT AT THE TIME. CAR NOW HAS 79,000 MILES, I HAVE BEEN USING THE ODOMETER SO I WILL KNOW WHEN I NEED GAS. A FEW WEEKS AGO, LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT READ MY SPEED AS 120 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND AT A DEAD STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS SETTING ON 60 MPH. NOW I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENTIRE CLUSTER READINGS. THE THERMOSTAT WILL JUMP UP TO THE RED, HOT READING WHICH IS WRONG. NOW I AM GOING TO BE OUT HUGE DOLLARS THAT APPEARS TO BE SOMETHING GM SHOULD REPAIR. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 5, 201175,867 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INACCURATELY SHOW THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AT ALL TIMES. AFTER HE WOULD REFUEL, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,867. UPDATED 06/17/11 *BF UPDATED 06/27/11

Electrical System
Filed Mar 16, 201155,000 milesMD

VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER WORKS ON AND OFF. SPEEDOMETER READS 20 MPH WHEN GOING 60 ON HWY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 800 PLUS LABOR..... VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES AND HAD 55,000 AT TIME. *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Mar 10, 2011MD

2005 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER STATES RECENTLY THE RPS DIAL WENT INTO A ROUND IN A CIRCLE AND FELL TO THE BOTTOM, THEN THE GAS GAUGE DID THE SAME THING *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 12, 201042,330 milesMD

2005 BUICK LESABRE WITH 42,330 MILES WENT INTO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED. ONCE THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE MECHANIC TOOK THE CAR FROM THE REPAIR BAY ONTO THE PARKING LOT TO CHECK THE INTEGRITY OF THE BRAKES. THE MECHANIC APPLIED A HARD BRAKING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE WHICH GOES ACROSS THE REAR OF THE CAR FROM WHEEL TO WHEEL HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THIS BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE FROM WHEEL TO WHEEL. THE SYSTEM WAS THEN BLED AND BRAKE FLUID REPLACED. THE CAR WAS CHECKED AGAIN AND WAS FOUND TO BE DRIVABLE. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 27, 201052,000 milesFL

THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2005 BUICK LE SABRE INTERMITTENTLY READ FALSE SPEED READINGS FOR 2000 MILES AFTER 55,000 MILES OF USE. IT FAILED COMPLETELY AT 57,000 MILES AND DOES NOT REGISTER SPEED AT ALL AND IS FLAT-LINED ON 0. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 7, 201049,505 milesWA

PASSENGER SIDE OUTER TIE ROD PREMATURE BUSHING JOINT FAILURE. EXCESSIVE WEAR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT LINE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WOULD WONDER BACK AND FORTH BADLY, AND TURNS WERE DELAYED AS A RESULT OF THE PREMATURE WEAR IN THE TIE ROD JOINT. MILEAGE WHEN DIAGNOSED, 49505 ON JULY 6,2010. MILEAGE AT COMPLETION OF REPAIR WAS 49515 ON JULY 7,2010. FORTUNATELY THIS EARLY FAILURE OF OUTER TIE ROD WAS FOUND BEFORE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURRENCE ON THE FREEWAY. OUTER TIE ROD REPLACE WITH AN AFTER MARKET UNIT. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 6, 201052,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT ALWAYS DISPLAY THE PROPER SPEED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SINCE THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,200.

Suspension › Front
Filed May 5, 201065,500 milesMT

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2005 BUICK LA SABRE, 65,500 MILES, SUFFERED A PREMATURE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. FAILURE DISCOVERED WHILE CAR WAS BEING SERVICED (IE. OIL/FILTER CHANGE & FRONT END ALIGNMENT.) REPLACED AT A COST OF $600.00. REPORTED TO GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ON 1/26/2010, AND VERBALLY CALLED BACK ON 2/2/2010, GM DENIED ANYTHING WRONG WITH SUCH FAILURE, AND SAID CAR WAS BEYOND 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. LATER APPEALED IN WRITING TO BUICK GEN. MGR. LAST CONTACTED, AGAIN VERBALLY, ON 2/26/2010, SENIOR ASST. TO EXEC., WHO ALSO DENIED CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT, SAYING THE MILEAGE DID NOT MATTER, BUT SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT EXAMINED BY A QUALIFIED GM MECHANIC AND DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. (THE IMPLICATION BEING THAT MY MECHANIC, WHO HAS SERVICED MY VEHICLES FOR OVER 10 YEARS, WAS INCOMPETENT, OR CROOKED, AND COULD NOT BE TRUSTED TO MAKE A VALID DETERMINATION REGARDING THE STATE, AND CAUSE, OF THE BEARING FAILURES). YOU SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT I REPEATEDLY REQUESTED A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO MY INQUIRIES, AND WAS CONSISTENTLY REFUSED. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT GM HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR NEWER CARS NON-SERVICEABLE PARTS, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO MAINTAIN DENIABILTY AS TO THIS PROBLEM! IN MY CASE, NOTHING HAPPENED, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED, HOWEVER, HAD I NOT SERVICED MY CAR REGULARLY, AND THESE BEARINGS HAD FAILED AT ROAD SPEED, THERE COULD EASILY BEEN A HEAD-ON CRASH, WITH DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH

Steering
Filed Apr 6, 201092,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING RIGHT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING; SHE SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER HOME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,250.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Mar 30, 201026,800 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER ABNORMALLY INCREASED TO 140 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,100 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,800. UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN UPDATED 06/04/10.8JB

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 12, 201090,431 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT HE SHOULD CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS SINCE HE HAD SEEN THIS ISSUE WITH HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 94, 031. UPDATED 01/19/10 *BF UPDATED 01/20/10.*JB UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ GM DID NOT AGREE TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPAIRED AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER HAD A LOCAL SHOP REMOVE THE CLUSTER AND IT WAS SENT FOR REPAIR AND RE-INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPEEDOMETER IS OPERATING NORMALLY. UPDATED 07/16/10.*JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 7, 200984,892 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK EXCESSIVELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INNER WEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,892 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 8/28/09 *CN UPDATED 09/09/09*JB

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v BatteryFire
Filed Jan 14, 200920,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED FLAMES ERUPTING FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLAMES SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE LOCKS MELTED, WHICH NEARLY PREVENTED HER FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BATTERY UNDERNEATH THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000. UPDATED 02/10/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/11/09. *JB

Complaints 1-50 of 77, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20063000Routine
2005 — this page77030Routine
2004162050Routine
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.