FaultScore

2003 Buick Lesabre body problems

57 of the 209 complaints about the 2003 Buick Lesabre are about the body and structure — 27% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 60,062 miles.

D

57

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Structure 39 68.4%
Body 15 26.3%
Trunk LID 2 3.5%
Frame AND Members 1 1.8%

Body & Structure across every Buick Lesabre year

1992 10 3.9%
1993 11 4.3%
1995 18 7.0%
1997 17 6.6%
2000 25 9.7%
2001 50 19.4%
2002 51 19.8%
2003 57 22.1%
2004 19 7.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 60,000 miles Glendale, CA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

The contact owns a 2003 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that their trunk failed to remain in the open position when needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11450822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rehoboth Beach, DE

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #11034336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Union Grove, NC

STRUCTURE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10914693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Treasure Island, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD DETACHED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG HOUSING AREA. THE LOOSENED DASHABOARD DISTORTED THE CONTACT'S VISION WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA complaint #10808707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DASHBOARD PANEL IS SEPARATING AT THE FRONT WHERE IT MEETS THE DEFROSTER COWLING. THE SEPARATION IS INCREASING ALONG THE FRONT OF THE DASH FROM DRIVER TO PASSENGER SIDE, AND IS STARTING TO CURL UP CONSIDERABLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT IS UNKNOWN HOW MUCH FURTHER THE SEPARATION/CURLING WILL CONTINUE, AND IS BEGINNING TO AFFECT THE VISION OF THE DRIVER JUST ABOVE THE HOOD. I ADDITION, OTHER COMPONENTS UNDER THE DASHBOARD ARE BEGINNING TO BE EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SUGGESTS THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE, WITH MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS, RANGING FROM OBSCURED DRIVER VISION, TO POTENTIAL OR POSSIBLE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DUE TO EXPOSED COMPONENTS. INVESTIGATION ALSO SUGGESTS THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM, NOR PROVIDING ADEQUATE SOLUTIONS FOR REPAIR DESPITE NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS.

NHTSA complaint #10795073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Ormonds Beach, FL

STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS HOUSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10715340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Bridgeport, CT

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS PEELING WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #10694054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,215 miles Winterville, NC

STRUCTURE

THE DASH COVER HAS STARTED TO BUCKLE IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10671220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Decatur, AL

STRUCTURE

2003 BUICK LESABRE DASH PAD DASH PAD IS BUCKLING FROM THE FRONT, AT THE WINDSHIELD EDGE OF THE PAD.

NHTSA complaint #10655208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miscawaka, IN

STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN SEPARATING AND EXPANDING DOWN TO THE PASSENGERS SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10650390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Ontario, NY

STRUCTURE

THE DASH PAD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA complaint #10644845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Florence, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER DASHBOARD COVERING SEPARATED AND EXTENDED TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10637039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

STRUCTURE

2003 BUICK LE SABRE. DASHBOARD IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL. ELECTRONIC PARTS ARE EXPOSED. AS A RESULT, AIRBAG AND OTHER SAFETY SENSORS AND WIRING IS EXPOSED. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DASH IS PULLING AWAY TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS HOUSED. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF ISSUES ON THE INTERNET. THE DASH HAS PULLED AWAY OVER 2" IN THE CENTER. IT IS DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AND IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS, IT WILL CREATE AN ACCIDENT. AT THIS POINT, I WOULD BE HAPPY WITH A FIX, IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10632878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX

STRUCTURE

I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS COMING APART FROM THE WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE DRIVERSIDE..I ALSO STARTED EXPERIENCING MY CAR CUTTING OFF,,&A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I PRESS MY BRAKES..MY CAR ALSO GETS HOT&SMELLS LIKE SOMETHINGS BURNING..I'VE REPLACED NUMEROUS THINGS,,BUT YET TO COME TO A RESOLUTION..I REALLY NEED HELP BECAUSE THIS IS SCARY..I'VE TALKED TO BUICK&YOU ALL WANNA CHARGE ME JUST TO LOOK AT MY CAR??THAT'S NOT HELP AT ALL...

NHTSA complaint #10627343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,125 miles Saint Francis, WI

STRUCTURE

APPROX. APRIL 1, 2014 NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS "LIFTING" AWAY FROM THE BASE. SINCE THEN IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, LIFTING FROM LEFT HAND SIDE TOWARDS CENTER OF VEHICLE. BUICK TELLS ME IT IS NOT COVERED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON IT, YET I'VE SEEN 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING ON THE INTERNET. WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY OF AIRBAG(S) DEPLOYING AND IF IT KEEPS LIFTING THE WAY IT HAS SO FAR, VISIBILITY WILL BECOME A FACTOR. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST 2003.

NHTSA complaint #10609361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Fort Myers, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD HAS WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANICS, DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL MOST LIKELY BE COMPROMISED. IT ALSO AFFECTS VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE BUICKS! WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? CHECK THIS WEBSITE AND YOU'LL SEE HOW PROLIFIC A PROBLEM THIS IS! HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-C5295_DS45613 NOT TO MENTION THE MONEY LOST BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO SELL THESE CARS. 2000-2005 BUICK OWNERS ARE IN DANGER. AND YOU'VE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT! DO YOUR JOB!

NHTSA complaint #10605207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Fort Myers, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY FRONT DASHBOARD HAS BEEN GRADUALLY COMING UNATTACHED NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT IT IS HINDERING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.. THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD AND I CANNOT BELIEVE BUICK HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT WHICH IS AFFECTING SO MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I OWN TWO BUICK LESABRES AND IT HAPPENED TO BOTH OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10605208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Gilbert, AZ

STRUCTURE

AT A LITTLE OVER 40,000 MILES, I NOTICE A HUMP IN THE DASH COVER IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEPARATION AND LIFTING HAS NOW STRETCHED TO NEAR CENTER DASH. IF IT CONTINUES, I'M AFRAID IT MAY POSSIBLY EFFECT AIR BAG OPERATION OR PASSENGER SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10597235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Manning, SC

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASH PANEL IS SEPARATING FROM FRAME , STARTED IN FRONT OF DRIVER & PROGRESSING TOWARDS PASSENGER SIDE WHERE AIR BAG IS LOCATED WHICH IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY PROBLEM ,NOT TO MENTION RESALE OR TRADE IN.

NHTSA complaint #10572991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,410 miles Titusville, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY FRONT DASHBOARD HAS BEEN GRADUALLY COMING UNATTACHED NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT IT IS HINDERING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. MY DAUGHTER IS JUST LEARNING TO DRIVE AND WE HAVE DECIDED IT IS NOT SAFE FOR HER TO USE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE HER VIEW OF THE ROAD IS BLOCKED BY THE LIFTED DASHBOARD. THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD AND I CANNOT BELIEVE BUICK HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT WHICH IS AFFECTING SO MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA complaint #10568259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Cinnaminson, NJ

STRUCTURE

MY 2003 BUCK LESABRE DASH HAS BUCKLED IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND IS SLOWLY MOVING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE NOW. THE BUCKLE IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOW SO HIGH THAT IT IS BECOMING A DRIVING HAZARD. IT IS ALSO PULLING AWAY IN FRONT OF PASSENGER SIDE IN FRONT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG. STARTED TO READ THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAFETY HAZARDS INVOLVED SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #10547050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indian Trail, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE A COMPLAINT TO ENTER. THE DASH BOARD COVER HAS SEPARATED ALMOST ALL THE WAY ACROSS ON MY 2003 BUICK LASABRE BEGINNNIG AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. I AM BEING TOLD IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT MIGHT OPEN THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AND INFLICT POSSIBLE DEATH OR INJURY TO PASSENGER. IT IS ALSO BEGINNING TO RAISE UP AT SEPARATION ENOUGH TO HAMPER VIEWING WHEN DRIVING. THIS CAR HAS ALSO HAD ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED AND ONE IN BACK TWICE FOR A TOTAL OF 5 WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACEMENTS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE ALINEMENTS ON FRONT END MORE TIMES THAN I EVER HAD ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I EVER OWNED. THE ONLY THING THAT IS GOOD ABOUT THE VEHICLE IS THE ENGINE, I HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINT WITH IT SO FAR. ALMOST EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO THAT OWNS A BUICK 2003 HAS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASH BOARD. I HOLD GM LIABLE IF ANYTHING SHOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY DASH BOARD THAT MIGHT CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO MY PASSENGER. THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES WITH FAULTY DASH BOARDS. I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A SINGLE WINDOW REGULATOR IN ANY CAR I EVER OWNED BEFORE. A CLASS LAWSUIT MIGHT BE THE ANSWER TO ALL THESE PROBLEMS. CAN YOU HELP US ?

NHTSA complaint #10544874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Salisbury, NC

STRUCTURE

DASHBOARD ON 2003 LESABRE LIMITED IS SEPARATING NEAR THE WINDOW OBSTRUCTING DRIVERS VIEW. CAR ONLY HAS 25,000 I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND WILL HOLD GM RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS OBSTRUCTION. PLEASE ADVISE ME HOW TO PROCEED.

NHTSA complaint #10535112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Coral Springs, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD ON 2003 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED STARTED TO SEPARATE INTERFERING WITH HEADS UP DISPLAY AND STARTING TO OBSCURE DRIVERS SIGHT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT GM/BUICK REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE SITUATION WHICH IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10502133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Parlin, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD ON THIS CAR IS SEPARATING NEAR STEERING WHEEL. CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD EVENTUALLY IMPAIR VISIBILITY AND COULD AFFECT THE FUNCTIONING OF THE AIR BAGS. HOPE WE DON'T NEED TO WAIT TILL THERE ARE INJURIES OR FATALITIES BEFORE GM DECIDES TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS ON THESE CARS. OWNED 1997 CENTURY THAT HAD NO PROBLEMS. VERY DISAPPOINTED AS REST OF THE CAR IS STILL IN GREAT SHAPE. CURRENTLY HAS UNDER 50K MILES ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10490289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Newport, NC

STRUCTURE

DASHBOARD SEPARATION IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT IS NOW SEPARATING TOWARD THE PASSENGER CABIN, IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THIS WILL CAUSE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WHILE IN MOTION, THIS STARTED AROUND JULY OF 2011 AND I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER BUICK OWNERS WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT DOWN TO THE MINUTE DETAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10479591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Jones, OK

STRUCTURE

THE DASH PAD HAS BUCKLED BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. POSSIBLE AIR BAG PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10476748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Apollo Beach, FL

STRUCTURE

DASH PAD CURLING WAY UP WHERE DASH MEETS WINDOW. FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. I SEE FROM DIFFERENT WEB SITES THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR FLAW FOR GM. IMPEDES VISION TO SEE TRAFFIC AHEAD. GM NOR DEALERS WILL ADDRESS THE PROBLEM FOR A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10476711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Fairfield, NC

STRUCTURE

..THE DASH PAD ON MY 2003 BUICK LESABRE IS SEPARATING FROM THE DASH, SO FAR IS HALFWAY ACROSS TO PASSENGER SIDE...AFRAID THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY IF IT GOES MUCH FURTHER..THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE, STILL RUNS GOOD AT 108M MILES..UNDERSTAND THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT THROUGHOUT BUICK LESABRES...WHY IS GM AND BUICK NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS PROBLEM AS DEFECT AND RECALLING THESE VEHICLES..AS GOOD AS THESE CARS ARE, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM OR BUICK AUTOMOBILE!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10474377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tipton, IA

STRUCTURE

THE DASH COVER IS SEPARATING AHEAD OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DASH IS RAISING UP STARTING TO CAUSE VISIBILITY ISSUES. VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY GO ACROSS THE DASH INTO THE AIRBAG AREA AND CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10471632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Buick Lesabre problems

← Full 2003 Buick Lesabre report