Owners have filed 212 complaints
about the 2004 Buick Lesabre with NHTSA between 2003 and 2024.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 32
Against the median year of the Buick Lesabre. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 54
10.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 47
28% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Instrument Cluster/Panel
2758.7%
Seat Heater/Cooler
36.5%
Driveline
36.5%
Interior/Under Dash
36.5%
Body
36.5%
12V/24V/48V Battery
36.5%
Rotor
24.3%
Engine
24.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
127.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
148.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
95.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
2414.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
3521.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4526.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2213.2%
150,000+ miles
63.6%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2004 Buick LeSabre 4-DR. w/SAB
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—
—
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When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2003peak 8Jun 2024
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 75,000 milesWest Bloomfield, MIFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11102945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Patrick, SC1 injured
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. CAR'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN CAR WAS STARTED. CAR WAS IN PARK. IT WAS NOT EVEN GOING TO BE DRIVEN ONLY STARTED TO PUT DOWN THE WINDOWS. AS SOON AS THE KEY WAS TURNED BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING THE DASH TO POP OUT OF PLACE AND CRACK THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #10851990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesCarol Stream, ILCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS GOING EAST ON A ONELANE STREET,WHEN THE OTHER CAR MADE A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING THE ACCIDENT,MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MY SEATBELT TO TIGHTEN AROUND MY LOWER BACK AND CREATING PAIN AND SPRAIN.IF AIRBAG DID DEPLOY I WOULD HAVE SUFFER ALOT LESS.
NHTSA complaint #10714872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,970 milesElmore, OHFire
SEATS
DRIVER, AGE 82, ON WAY TO DR. OFFICE IN ELMORE, OH WHEN THE BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT. THE BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER AND A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S COAT THAT SHE WAS WEARING. IT WAS A VERY COLD DAY, WITH WIND CHILL BELOW ZERO. THE HEATED SEAT HAD BEEN ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 (ONE) MILE.
NHTSA complaint #10676198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesRockville, MDFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PARKED CAR, TURNED OFF ENGINE AND LOCKED CAR. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN A SMALL EXPLOSION AND A RAGING FIRE. CAR WAS TOTALED IN 5-8 MINUTES. FIRE ENGINES CALLED AND PUT OUT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10520627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesColumbia, SCFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OWNER PURCHASED A 2004 BUICK LESABRE, VIN [XXX] (?BUICK?), WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS. ON OCTOBER 14, 2010, OWNER DROVE THE BUICK FROM THE GROCERY STORE, RETURNED TO HER HOME, AND PARKED THE BUICK IN THE ATTACHED GARAGE OF HER HOME AND PROCEEDED TO RETRIEVE HER GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK OF THE BUICK. AFTER SHE RETRIEVED HER GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK OF THE BUICK, OWNER NOTICED A FIRE AT THE FRONT OF THE BUICK. THE FIRE SPREAD FROM THE BUICK TO THE OWNER'S HOME, AND IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BUICK AND TO THE HOME. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE BUICK. ON MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A RECALL, IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000, IN RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE TO OCCUR IN 207,542 AUTOMOBILES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS FROM 1997 TO 2003 AND CONTAINED A 3.8L ENGINE (?2008 RECALL?). OWNER'S BUICK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2008 RECALL. ON APRIL 21, 2009, GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED ANOTHER RECALL, IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000, IN RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN 1,497,516 AUTOMOBILES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS FROM 1997 TO 2003 (?2009 RECALL?). OWNER?S BUICK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2009 RECALL. A DEFECTIVE ROCKER COVER GASKET IN THE BUICK ALLOWED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS SUFFICIENT TO IGNITE THE OIL AND CAUSE THE FIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10495074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Fort Wayne, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The backup camera will stay in 'night' brightness mode for 15 seconds while backing out of the garage into daylight. This makes the video screen usless until the 15 second delay is over. I have asked several times at the dealership since I purchased this vehicle new, and they say nothing can be done. Not only is this a huge safety issue but it also is an enviromental issue as may times I must wait in the driveway with the car needlessly idling until the 15 seconds is up. This is seems to be a simple software update to remove the delay when the car is in reverse.
NHTSA complaint #11594152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Selma, OR
POWER TRAIN
Car has hard shift's that get worse when the car is up to temperature. Fuel gauge show's false reading. Two window regulators failed.
NHTSA complaint #11493411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Selma, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car has hard shift's that get worse when the car is up to temperature. Fuel gauge show's false reading. Two window regulators failed.
NHTSA complaint #11493411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Selma, OR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car has hard shift's that get worse when the car is up to temperature. Fuel gauge show's false reading. Two window regulators failed.
NHTSA complaint #11493411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pueblo, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
fuel vapor system leaks gas fumes into car. Replaced all fuel lines, pulled tank, renewed canister. 10 months later fumes are again entering car cabin. 105,000 total miles.
NHTSA complaint #11492448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, OH
POWER TRAIN
Drove to the store, transmission was hard shifting and then wouldn't hardly move at all. Almost got hit three x!! Very tramatized. How is it that on just one of many web pages 400 people had this problem 140 complained about it! that's just one website! how has this problem not been fixed and recalled?
NHTSA complaint #11437729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, OH
WHEELS
Drove to the store, transmission was hard shifting and then wouldn't hardly move at all. Almost got hit three x!! Very tramatized. How is it that on just one of many web pages 400 people had this problem 140 complained about it! that's just one website! how has this problem not been fixed and recalled?
NHTSA complaint #11437729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, OH
STEERING
Drove to the store, transmission was hard shifting and then wouldn't hardly move at all. Almost got hit three x!! Very tramatized. How is it that on just one of many web pages 400 people had this problem 140 complained about it! that's just one website! how has this problem not been fixed and recalled?
NHTSA complaint #11437729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,500 milesChesapeake, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
The contact owns a 2004 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated while driving 35 mph and depressing on the brake pedal, the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle gradually decreased in speed to a stop. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving to his residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake lines were leaking brake fluid. The independent mechanic repaired the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic and three additional brake lines were replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact was concerned that after inspecting the vehicle himself, he became aware that one of the brake lines was rusted which might cause the failure to recur. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage approximately was 116,500.
NHTSA complaint #11422945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maysville, KY
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11397606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
POWER TRAIN
I CONTINUE SMELLING AN OIL-BURNING SMELL AND MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND I HAVE REPLACED TO BLUB OVER AND OVER
NHTSA complaint #11319438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
SEAT BELTS
I CONTINUE SMELLING AN OIL-BURNING SMELL AND MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND I HAVE REPLACED TO BLUB OVER AND OVER
NHTSA complaint #11319438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I CONTINUE SMELLING AN OIL-BURNING SMELL AND MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND I HAVE REPLACED TO BLUB OVER AND OVER
NHTSA complaint #11319438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,990 milesAlpine, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN FIRST STARTING UP CAR AND THEN PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, EITHER IN REVERSE OR FORWARD, THERE IS A SURGE, LIKE THE CABLE IS STICKING. NOT SURE WHY, MAYBE DUE FROM AGE OF CAR OR AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL ISSUE. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED ABOUT 85% OF ITS LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #11253977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesRossford, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY ACCELERATES AS HIGH AS 50-60MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR HAS TO BE THROWN IN NEUTRAL OR STOPPED SOME PLACE SAFE, AT WHICH POINT IT REVS UP PAST 3000 RPM UNTIL THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO THROTTLE IT BACK DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS IN REVERSE WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AS WELL, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO DO THIS UPON STARTING OR WHILE IT IS WARMING UP. IT CAN BE ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY AND AT ANY SPEED WHEN IT STARTS REVVING HIGH. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT CLUSTERS SOMETIMES SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW AS CONSTANT AND THEN GOING A MONTH WITHOUT DOING IT AT ALL. IT DOES SEEM TO BE MORE LIKELY TO ACCELERATE AFTER HITTING A DIP (LIKE NEAR WHERE A DRAIN IS IN A PARKING LOT) BUT THAT MAY BE JUST COINCIDENTAL. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH A TUNE UP DONE AND THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED ALONG WITH SOME OTHER TROUBLE-SHOOTING WITH THE THROTTLE AT A COST (THUS FAR) OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THIS SO FREQUENTLY IN THE LAST FEW DAYS THAT IS HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #11176068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesHorn Lake, MS
ENGINE
THE ENGINE STALLS AND JERKED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO GO THE GEARS DIDN'T SHIFT LIKE USUAL. DRIVING LONG DISTANCES IT DOESN'T DO THIS UNTIL YOU'RE DRIVING AND STOPPING EVERY SO OFTEN. SOMETIMES TURNING INTO A PLACE THE ENGINE WOULDN'T GO AND ALMOST CAUSED CRASHES.
NHTSA complaint #11155414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesSouth Euclid, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL WIRE HARNESS AND BACK SEAT BELT NOT WORKING ,LOCKING IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #11112305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesSouth Euclid, OH
ENGINE
TAKATA RECALL WIRE HARNESS AND BACK SEAT BELT NOT WORKING ,LOCKING IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #11112305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesSouth Euclid, OH
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
TAKATA RECALL WIRE HARNESS AND BACK SEAT BELT NOT WORKING ,LOCKING IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #11112305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesWest Bloomfield, MIFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11102945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesFarmingdale, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED ALONG THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE HAD SPREAD TO THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRACTURE COULD IMPEDE VISIBILITY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #11002852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesHarrisburg, PA
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE EQUIPPED WITH COPPER MASTERCRAFT MC440 TIRES, SIZE: 225/60/R16 (NA). UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS SENT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE BUBBLE WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE TIRE THAT WOULD CONFIRM THE BUBBLE WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #10980923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesWilmington, DE
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE WHILE THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #10979751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesPulaski, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD SEPARATED FROM THE SUB STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH EXPOSED THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE DASHBOARD WOULD MOVE BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INJURY OR DEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THAT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10967438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesFT Walton BCH, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOP WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE AND NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. THE GAS GAUGE HAS STOP WORKING I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR I HAVE TO FILL THE TANK AND CHECK IT EVERY TWO WEEKS SO I WILL NOT RUN OUT OF GAS.
NHTSA complaint #10967038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
