2005 Buick Lesabre: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
77
owner complaints
3
fire reports
52,300
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest Lesabre years (#13 of 16 by complaints, age-adjusted)No recall campaignsWeak spot: electrical system (32%)3 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)32% · 23 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)10% · 7 complaints
Tires7% · 5 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)7% · 5 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)5% · 4 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)5% · 4 complaints
“The transmission rarely slips causing a dangerous situation. I must pull over shift off the vehicle and start it again. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2021
“The headlights just stopped working. It is not the bulb as the lights come on when I lock or unlock the car using the fob. I was driving down the road and the headlights just stopped working, this was in the middle of the night with no street lights. I just had the car in the shop two months ago for the same problem. There has to be an issue with the car and the headlights. I love this car but I can't drive at night as I have no lights and can't keep taking it to the shop and paying out money every couple of months to fix the same problem.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2020
“Air bag light is illuminated in the dash board instrument cluster. Would like to know if this is making the srs system inoperable and most of all a safety issue. Please advise asap thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr updated 1/28/16 *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the odometer and speedometer failed to work. The dealer indicated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for this failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 buick lesabre. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the battery exploded without warning. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the of failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick lesabre. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to restart after several attempts. The failure recurred on a separate occasion. The vehicle was towed twice to the dealer where the electronic ignition module was replaced each time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,771.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“Letter from senator rubio on behalf of constituent re 2005 buick lesabre defects (attn: david huff). *smd the consumer stated the ignition switch broke, and when he exited the vehicle the instrument panel stated the key was still in the ignition. Also, the air bag was protruding out of the dashboard. The consumer was informed the recalls did not apply to his vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick lesabre. While driving 3 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 47,800.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the speedometer became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the stepper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,300 and the current mileage was 54,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick lesabre. The contact stated that after releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without any warning. The contact stated that as a result of the failure she crashed into another vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the problem. There were no injuries. The approximate failure mileage was 39,900.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2005 Buick Lesabre reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Buick Lesabre. The most complained-about area is electrical system (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Lesabre problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,300 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.