2002 Buick Lesabre: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 309 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (35% of complaints); the 2003 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2002
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 309 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2020
“When I was getting ready to stop, I took my foot off of the gas pedal and was moving my foot over to the brake, the car suddenly speed up; I had to step on the brake extra hard to stop it. This has happened to me more than once. It doesn't happen all the time. I had one parking lot accident because of this issue.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2019
“In a small town, approaching a stop sign at the highway crossroad with 2-3 vehicles in front of me. I removed my foot from the accelerator and started braking. The engine immediately revved, I moved my foot to try to raise the accelerator and it was all the way to the floor; it would not raise. I immediately placed in neutral and as pulling as close to curb as possible, I shut the ignition off, then placed in park. It had to be towed back home until we can deal with it. Luckily, I was able to act quickly enough to prevent any damage to any other vehicle or person.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Cpsc: the heated seat in my vehicle has burned a hole through the seat.*dt the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified but, did not offer any assistance. *js”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2019
“Drove car 0.2 miles parked car went into walmart car was seen smoking in parking lot engine caught on fire fire dept came talked to auto shop they said it has happened to this year of vehicle many times due to a manufacturer issue”Owner report · Engine · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. While driving 45 mph, the contact fell asleep and crashed into a tree. None of the air bags deployed. The driver sustained a broken nose, fractured eye sockets, and head injuries, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v222000 (air bags). The vehicle was towed to a yard and the contact was waiting on the manufacturer to determine why the air bags failed to deploy. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
“GOT. INTO A. ACCIDENT ON 6 /9/2017 I WAS TRAVELING 35 TO37 MLS. PER HOUR A DARK BLUE VAN TRIED TO GO BEFORE ME COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY COMING TOWARDS ME SHE TURN IN FOUNT OF ME I HIT HER ON PASSAGE SIDE OF VAN IT WAS A MAJOR ACCIDENT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WE WERE ON PERKINS ST OF AKRON OHIO. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor indicator remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 175,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017
“Side airbags deployed - warming up at idle - in 4 degree f outside ambient air temperature - having been in high wind containing sandy dirt particles overnight - vehicle unoccupied - stationary in residence driveway. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2016
“Car parked in home driveway unoccupied, sitting still, running to warm up in very cold ambient air temperature (5 degrees f. Side air bags on passenger and driver side simultaneously deployed damaging the seats and interior trim.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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 2002 Buick Lesabre reliable?
NHTSA has 309 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Buick Lesabre. The most complained-about area is visibility (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Buick Lesabre problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Buick Lesabre have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion). 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.