KnownCarProblems2003 Buick Lesabre Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Buick Lesabre, most often about the body and structure (35% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 4th of 7 Lesabre model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Buick Lesabre problems
Body and structure
57 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Dash pad curling way up where dash meets window. From drivers side to passenger side. I see from different web sites that this has been a major flaw for gm. Impedes vision to see traffic ahead. Gm nor dealers will address the problem for a recall.
My 2003 buck Lesabre dash has buckled in front of the steering wheel and is slowly moving to the passenger side now. The buckle in front of the steering wheel is now so high that it is becoming a driving hazard. It is also pulling away in front of passenger side in front of passenger airbag. Started to read that alot…
Air bags
21 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Air bag light came on for no apparent reason. Air bag light was not covered in ge auto warranty services 4 star plus contract. I took the car to the dealer of which I purchased it from and found out it was diagnosed as a faulty crash sensor but not covered, cost was $95 for a 5 min diagnostic, error code reading taken…
The vinyl dash pad in front of the driver started to shrink toward the steering wheel and raise upward and is now up about 1 -1/2 inches and is progressing toward the passengers side I am concerned about the possibility that when the passengers dash pad area rises upward will this cause the passenger air bag to deploy?
Transmission
18 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the transmission feels as if it is slipping when changing from first to second gear. He feels a shudder when the vehicle accelerates. The dealer recommended a two-clutch assembly. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 50,800 and failure…
This incident is regarding a sudden transmission failure on a 2003 Buick Lesabre, purchased in may of 2003. In january of 2008, with 47,692 miles on the car, the transmission suddenly failed while the vehicle was in use. There was no warning before the incident - the vehicle lurched, bucked, rapidly picked up speed…
Engine
16 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system, engine.
While driving on a 40mph road, the engine spontaneously lost power - the power steering and brakes also ceased to function as a result. The radio and lights were still on. After guiding the stricken car to a safe area, I turned the engine back on and was able to drive as normal. The issue repeated roughly a week later…
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically without warning when driving at least 60 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and a local independent mechanic for diagnostic testing but no failure codes would generate. The contact replaced the ignition key…
Electrical
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, instrument cluster/panel, wiring.
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted; however, the failure recurred on several occasions while driving at low speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be determined; however, the gasket kit…
Small lights burn out excessively and cost a fortune to have replaced. Examples steering wheel button lights, climate control, radio buttons (which cannot be replaced). Replaced multiple times and I have only had the car 4 years.
Visibility and wipers
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer, glass, side/rear.
I purchased the car on a cloudy day. When I did, I did not realize that there was a scratch in the windshield. When I took it back to the dealer, they told me it was a used car, it was sold as is. It was my responsibility, not theirs. I think it is irresponsible of them to sell a car with a scratched windshield.
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the rear passenger window independently rolled downward. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility where the rear passenger window and regulator motor assembly were replaced. In addition, the mechanic advised that the regulator…
Brakes
14 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 27,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages.
While driving, the consumer applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. This caused lost of braking power. The consumer placed both feet on the brake pedal but the vehicle did not stop. Consequently the vehicle collided with another vehicle. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported.…
Noise had occurred upon slowing and braking, so I took it to a dealer. A person from the service department rode with me but the problem did not happen (perhaps due to the light rain). Two days later I made a trip into atlanta. The front brakes sounded as though they were grinding at all speeds. A tire dealer in…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the dashboard was buckling toward the driver's side near the air bag and the contact was concerned that the damage could cause the air bag to deploy without being involved in a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised by the…
I had traveled about 2 miles from home to a home depot and was driving at about 20 MPH as I was about to turn into one of the parking lanes. Suddenly the car went into full speed as if I was full on the gas pedal. I nearly hit other cars trying to get control of my car. I tried shutting the engine off and then back…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
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.
Questions about the 2003 Buick Lesabre
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Lesabre?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (57 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); air bags (21 complaints, typically around 73,500 miles); transmission (18 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Lesabre have?
- 1 recall 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 2003 a bad year for the Buick Lesabre?
- It is 4th of 7 Lesabre model years by number of complaints, with 164 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.