2000 Buick Lesabre: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 668 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (34% of complaints); the 1998 and 1999 and 2001 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 668 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The plastic pice holding the throttle lines snapped off and my cable went under my bracket and it took off I destroyed the Transmission putting it in neutral to stop the vehicle after I had gotten it stoped the fire from the engine was small I will recommend this car and yes I do want another one but it is a common issue I will recomed this car because the body is made out of steel and they are basicly tanks with the 3800 Series II and it was easy for me to spot what was happening and get ahead of it before it got worse I drove 5 miles with this happening before the engine overheated and caught fire”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2025
“Brake lines rusting even though I replaced the rusty brake lines before. The first time they rotted through and I could not stop but fortunately I was going slow and used emergency brake.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2020
“Gas lines are rusty and look like they are about to leak gas and also I got stuck on highway because gas gauge did not work because ground wire to sender was broken”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine mounts are loose and need replacement because they make jerking sounds when I speed up or slow down making for extra movements in car”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic due to a flat tire. The contact was informed the inner tie rod bushing had rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. While the vehicle was parked outside, the contact noticed that the floor was wet on the front and rear passenger sides. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 00v114000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to al serra buick gmc (located at 6201 saginaw rd, grand blanc, mi 48439, (810) 202-0226), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 71,500.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2019
“Complete tire separation from steel belts of tire construction while car was being driven on interstate highway. Tire had high amount of tread life remaining beforehand and this happened with absolutely no warning. Very dangerous to occupants and caused physical and aesthetic damage to vehicle. Do not know what the cost of the repair will be at this time.”Owner report · Tires · May 2019
“I turn the ignition over didn't it did not even start yet a loud went boom and up under the hood was blazing with fire than my doors locked I could not get out I had to kick the opposite side and then I got out I had to call sleep fire rescue squad the fire was so bad it was going up under my carport and almost caught my roof on fire and almost did and did a little bit”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2019
“On two occasions so far in 2018, my buick engine would start itself. Once when I closed the glove box and another time when I closed the passenger door. Both times the ignition key was absent and the car was stationary. My guess is ignition switch. [xxx] - mechanical engineer & college auto instructor. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2018
“I had problem with windows not rolling up and down. After I took my buick to pep boys 3325 124th ave nw coon rapids mn electric mechanic found out that my window power switch is damaged after rain storm. Later I experienced the following problems with vehicle: 1 strange engine noise while running 2 pushing forward once release foot from brake. Pep boys mechanic looked at all these problems and told me everything looks ok but I need to get engine diagnostic done with pep boys. I got schedule for that. Meanwhile I ended up in car traffic problem because of fire of my vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 26 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE INNER TIE ROD NUTS ARE LOOSE AND CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK AND ADJUST THE VEHICLE TOE-IN AND TIGHTEN THE INNER TIE ROD NUTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE HEAD LAMP ADJUSTMENT DEVICE HORIZONTAL ADJUSTER MAY NOT MOVE THE HEAD LAMP REFLECTOR WHEN THE SHAFT IS ROTATED IN A NORMAL MANNER DURING AIMING.
Remedy: AN INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS WILL BE PROVIDED TO OWNERS FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE IN THE INSERT FOR HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT, RATHER THAN USING THE HORIZONTAL VHAD INDICATOR.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKS IN THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC MODULATOR UNIT AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC MODULATOR.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lesabre by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Buick Lesabre reliable?
NHTSA has 668 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Buick Lesabre. The most complained-about area is visibility (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Buick Lesabre problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Buick Lesabre have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:linkages:tie rod assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.