2003 Buick Lesabre: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 164 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (32% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks 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 164 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about my and my family safely”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2003 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that after his friend drove the vehicle to his residence, there was a burning oil odor detected. The contact opened the hood and there was smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as a valve cover gasket leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the failure could lead to an engine compartment fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 136,776.”Owner report · Engine · May 2021
“The dash pad is curling up from the windshield on the driver's side.there is a gap of several inches. Many people are experiencing this in my research. Will need to replace dash pad”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“The airbag light stays on and the dash is separating from the firewall of the motor. There is a gap between the windshield and the dash”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2019
“When the vehicle gets warmer during transit, the transmission begins to slip. It gets worse and the duration of the slip begins to. Last longer.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2019
“Buick 2003 lesabre tsb I need the service bulitons on the transmission for shudder ,harsh shifting while driving and heated up properly”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2018
“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 on, but that did no good. My car only has about 70,000 actual miles on it as I am retired. Car is currently in a garage waiting for repairs.07242013”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2017
“Letter from congresswoman foxx on behalf of constituent re 2003 buick lesabre defect issues. *smd the consumer stated the dashboard separated and raised about two inches. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick lesabre. The contact noticed that the dashboard had inadvertently become unglued without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that no recall was associated with he VIN. The contact was advised to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick lesabre. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor light illuminated indicating that the air system was faulty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 2003 Buick Lesabre reliable?
NHTSA has 164 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Buick Lesabre. The most complained-about area is structure (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Buick Lesabre problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,200 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Buick Lesabre have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.