18 of the 381 complaints about the 2002 Buick Lesabre are about the braking system — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 84,165 miles.
18
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11376540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11350443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE AND A RIGHT KNEE INJURY, WHICH POPPED OUT OF PLACE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ULTIMATE TOWING AND RECOVERY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #11078338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BEGINNING ABOUT AUGUST OF 2015 UNTIL NOW, OCT 2015, THE ENGINE OF MY BUICK LE SABRE HAS BEGUN TO STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THAT OCCURS I LOSE MY POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. TONIGHT (OCT 7, 2015) IT HAPPENED FOUR TIMES ON THE WAY HOME. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY FORTUNATELY BUT I WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN UNTIL IT IS FIXED. LAST WEEK I HAD BOTH A MOBILE MECHANIC AND AN AUTO SHOP (PURCELL) LOOK AT IT AND THEY CAN NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY CALL IT AN INTERMITTENT DEFECT. WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE AUTOMOBILES THAT GM HAS RECALLED, ALTHOUGH MY YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL ARE NOT ON THE LIST THAT I FOUND ON THE INTERNET. MY EXPERIENCE IS SO SIMILAR THAT I WANT MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED BY GM BEFORE I WILL DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10780703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TWO BRAKE LINES IN BACK OF MY CAR RUSTED COMPLETELY THRU LEAVING ME WITH LITTLE BRAKE. ALSO IN 2-4-13 TWO FRONT BRAKE LINES RUSTED, ONE THRU. ALSO IN 8-7 14 I HAD TO REPLACE TWO PARKING BRAKE CABLES FROZEN UP BY RUST. ALSO IN 3-20-15 I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND FOOT PEDAL.THE CAR HAS ALMOST NO RUST AND THE FRAME UNDERNEATH IS FINE. ALL THESE CABLES AND LINES WERE HIDDEN WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO BUY CAR. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE A CAR WITH SO LITTLE RUST HAVING HUGE BRAKE LINE AND CABLE PROBLEMS. IF I WAS DRIVING FAST WHEN THE REAR BRAKE LINE GAVE OUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS.IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR RUST PROOF BRAKE LINES?
NHTSA complaint #10703737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2002 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE DRUMS, THAT MELTED AND SEVERED THE FRONT BRAKE WIRING, EXACTLY AT THE POINT WHEN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WIRES TRAVELED FROM THE ENGINE AND ENTERED THE BRAKE DRUMS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE, THE THREE OUT OF THE FOUR WINDOWS COLLAPSED IN THE DOWN POSITION, AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ENGINE AND THE HOOD WERE DEFECTIVE, AS THE PAINT ON THE HOOD MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #10514214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE HARD AND CAUSED RIDGES IN THE ROTORS. THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $620. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,330 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,400.
NHTSA complaint #10270047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT GOES TO THE FLOOR. TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE PUMPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPLACEMENT PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED WITH ANY ADDITIONAL TESTING.
NHTSA complaint #10153994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM HE WAS HAVING WITH THE VEHICLE. NOTICE THE ABS PROBLEM WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF. ALSO, FELT VIBRATION FROM THE BRAKES. COULD NOT APPLY BRAKES AT LOW SPEED BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH. THE ABS LIGHT CA ME ON AND STAYED ON UNTIL THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD REPAIRS DONE. THE REPAIR SEEMED TO BE SATISFACTORY. HA D NO H ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10140113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2002 BUICK LESABRE WAS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. IF THE ROAD WAS WET THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUSH ON THE BRAKES THREE TIMES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS BAD/WET WEATHER.. THE SALESMAN DROVE THE CAR ONCE WHEN IT WAS WET, BUT THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GM AND THE BBB. GM SENT A LETTER BACK TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE HEAT DID NOT WORK IN THE FALL. THE HEAT WILL GO FOR 3 OR 4 DAYS AND NOT WORK , AND THEN IT WILL. *AK. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PDAS WERE FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #10133179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
WHEN BACKING OUT A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND FROM THE REAR BRAKES WAS PRODUCED.
NHTSA complaint #10097694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PROBLEM WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. *MR *CB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10029422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL MADE A LOUD NOISE. *NLM THREE BUICK DEALERS STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE DISC BRAKES. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10020006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE A 2002 BUICK LASABRE, WITH 49000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE BAD ON IT, THE TIE RODS ARE WORE OUT AND NOW, THE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED AND ARE FALLING APART. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
LETTER ON BEHALF OF JAMES BURNS (MI) RE A PREVIOUS LETTER SENT TO NHTSA REQUESTING BRAKE DEFECT AND DRIVING INFORMATION ON 2002 BUICK, LESABRE; RESPONSE TO LETTER/S/BY K. WEINSTEIN ON 03/25/2003- ES03--006321; REPLY TO DETROIT OFC, DOT #003-2279. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2003 WHILE DRIVING WIFE HOME FROM HOSPITAL ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY 28 INTO A MOTEL, SHUT OFF MOTOR, THEN STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN AND ABS LIGHT DID NOT APPEAR. WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES FAILED. MR BURNS ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT BUICK AND NHTSA, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. SENATOR LEVIN 'S OFFICE WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER, AND CONTACT MR. BURNS REGARDING THE BRAKE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THERE WAS A THIN COAT OF ICE ON THE BRAKES, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *JB * CB
NHTSA complaint #10016030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE INTO A DITCH. THE DEALER STATED THE BRAKES HAD FROZE, DUE TO ICE BUILD UP. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FAX FROM JAMES L. BURNS (MI) REGARDING DEFECTIVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON HIS 2002, BUICK, LESABRE, REPLY DIRECLY TO CONSTITUENT & FWD COPY TO TOM BALDINI OF CONG. STUPAK'S OFC. MR BALDINI IS WRITER OF CONG LETTER. *JB *NLM....
NHTSA complaint #10011584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
A THIN COAT OF ICE COVERED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WHICH CAUSED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10009711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.