KnownCarProblems2002 Buick Lesabre Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 310 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Buick Lesabre, most often about the visibility and wipers (38% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Lesabre model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Buick Lesabre problems
Visibility and wipers
118 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield, glass, side/rear, windshield wiper/washer.
1) no evidence leading up to failure 2) window mechanism failed, window would not return to closed position 3) had to have Buick replace mechanism at over $500 expense there are over 82 records of this exact problem on carsurvey (.org) - and not everyone surfs to record their problem.
The power window regulator on my 2002 Buick Lesabre have failed three times. The first was the driver side window which was replaced by the dealer for $550.00. Several days later the passenger side window failed. This was fixed by me after doing some reseach on how to repair this item. Now the same window has broke…
Body and structure
51 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Dash pad cover peeling away from dash pad base. Causing great issues with resale of vehicle reducing the value significantly. Manufacturing defect as I have seen a great many 2000-2005 Lesabre with this issue including my other 2000 model year Lesabre limited. A senior executive needs to deal with this issue and make…
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the dashboard separated from the steering wheel, which caused the panel to raise and obscure the driver's visibility. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure…
Air bags
37 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
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…
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis, who stated that the air bag sdm module would need to be replaced. There was a recall associated with NHTSA…
Engine
34 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Lesabre. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that anti freeze was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and the mechanic advised him that the intake manifold failed and was causing the anti-freeze to leak. The mechanic was replacing the intake…
2002 Buick Lesabre 3.8 l engine would be hard to start after it was driven and restarted after 15 minutes (or more) of being off. The car sometimes has to wait for .5 hours before it will start. This happened a year ago also. I have checked the maf sensor. The car has also stalled while driving at low speeds. If I…
Electrical
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, wiring, horn.
: the contact stated a whining noise was heard after the accelerator pedal was released and repressed. The dealership has been alerted. A representative from gm drove the vehicle on two separate occasions. The first time was may 2005 however the problem could not be duplicated. The vehicle was driven again june 14…
This is regarding recent replacement of both rear window regulators. Research has proven that many complaints have been filed over the years with no recall. I would hope for financial help, $1000 to cover the cost of repairs, as the minimum response; and also, I hope for a recall to help the many others who have…
Brakes
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Buick Lesabre. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard a chunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the brake pads were hard and caused ridges in the rotors. The rotors and brake pads were repaired at the cost of $620. The…
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.
Wheels and tires
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: hub, tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, sidewall.
Trip check showed: fuel leak under engine cover, front wheel drive shaft oil leaking fluid, power steering leaking fluid. Air bag light came on after the horn was hit hard, after about 20 minutes it went of, technician couldn't find anything wrong with it.
2002 Buick lasabre limited has aluminum alloy wheels that are seriously corroding at the sealing rim causing a serious loss of tire air pressure. We had to pay our Buick dealer to clean and epoxy coat the wheels to stop the leaking. It failed to resolve the problem. We have to check the tire air pressure every day or…
Steering
13 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, rack and pinion.
I have a 2002 Buick lasabre, with 49000 miles on it. The transmission has gone bad on it, the tie rods are wore out and now, the rotors have rusted and are falling apart.
Trip check showed: fuel leak under engine cover, front wheel drive shaft oil leaking fluid, power steering leaking fluid. Air bag light came on after the horn was hit hard, after about 20 minutes it went of, technician couldn't find anything wrong with it.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Buick Lesabre recalls
Air bags: frontal
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Risk: If the left bolt is missing and the right mounting strap fails, steering control is lost and a vehicle crash could result.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fires
Summary
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 rupt
Questions about the 2002 Buick Lesabre
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick Lesabre?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (118 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); body and structure (51 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); air bags (37 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Lesabre have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 9, 2002 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Buick Lesabre?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Lesabre model year since 2000, with 310 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.