BUICK LESABRE · model year

2001 BUICK LESABRE

460 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001BUICKLESABRE carries 460 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 25 fires, 21 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 LESABRE is visibility:power window devices and controls with 74 filings, followed by structure (32) and power train:automatic transmission (24). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2001 LESABRE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

460
Complaints
13
Crashes
25
Fires
21
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

460 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS74
STRUCTURE32
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
AIR BAGS21
ENGINE19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY13
STRUCTURE:BODY12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
STEERING10
SUSPENSION9
VISIBILITY9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7

Recent Complaints

20220208FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

Turned the key in ignition just past click and heard a loud bang in engine under hood. I looked under the car and seen flames. Within 18 minutes the whole car was in totally on fire. The volunteer fire department came and put it out. We did a search on the internet and discovered we are not the only ones to experience this.

20211022FireENGINE

The contact owned a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator without warning. The contact stated that a black smoke began to emit from the engine as he was able to pull into an independent mechanic shop. The contact immediately exited the vehicle as flames began to emit from the vehicle's engine. Employees from the independent mechanic attempted to assist with the fire as the fire department was called to the scene. Police and fire arrived at the scene as the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed and the contact was given a police report number(#C221CR384628). No injuries were reported and no medical assistance was needed. The vehicle remained in the possession of the independent mechanic where it was deemed a total loss. The vehicle was eventually towed to an independent junk yard and destroyed. The dealer nor the manufacturer have yet to be notified of the failu

Mileage: 191,900

20210309FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE SAW SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WAS UP IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND COULD EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTIFIED A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20210119FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HER HUSBAND TURNED THE IGNITION ON, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WHEN HE LIFT THE HOOD, IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FRACTURED AND THAT THE COVER HAD BLOWN OFF DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,060.*DT*JB

Mileage: 133,060

20200424FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS, WHEN HIS FATHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE BATTERY WHEN ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT AND HIS FATHER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE WAS INJURED. A DEALER HAD NOT BEEN AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,348.

Mileage: 131,348

20190222FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE IGNITED WITHOUT WARNING UNDER THE HOOD AFTER THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COVER FOR THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL SYSTEM HAD FLOWN OFF. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA02030 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURES AS THE RECALL AND NHTSA INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TT *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20190222FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE IGNITED WITHOUT WARNING UNDER THE HOOD AFTER THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COVER FOR THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL SYSTEM HAD FLOWN OFF. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V090000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA02030 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURES AS THE RECALL AND NHTSA INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TT *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20180107FireENGINE

THE CAR WAS OFF AND PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED ON, A LARGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, SAW THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE SO PUT IT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. REALLY HEAVY GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR TODAY (1 DAY LATER)

Mileage: 103,297

20171025FireENGINE

THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 3800 SERIES ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. FAMILY MEMBER OWNED A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH IDENTICAL ENGINE WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE HE WAS DRIVING HOME FOR WORK. GM SETTLED WITH THEM FOR A RECALL THAT WAS PLACED ON THE ENGINE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS ENGINE.

Mileage: 203,000

20170626FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I BOUGHT A CAR ON JUNE 17TH I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR SO I TOLD THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM I WANTED IT INSPECTED BEFORE I MADE A DECISION TO BUY IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE SHE BROUGHT IT TO HER INSPECTION STATION IN IT GOT IN INSPECTION STICKER STATING THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AS I DROVE IT HOME I NOTICED THAT IT WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN IN THAT THE FRONT-END AND BACK-END WOULD HIT THE GROUND I HAD A FRIEND LOOK AT IT THAT KNOWS ABOUT CARS AND TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT AND BACK STRUTS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND IT ALSO HAD FOR BALD TIRES AND THERE IS OIL SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE I CONTACTED THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM AND SHE WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS AND WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH GIVING ME MY MONEY BACK I ALSO WENT BACK TO THE INSPECTION STATION AND ASKED HOW THE HECK DID THIS CAR GET IN INSPECTION STICKER I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE I NEED ADVICE AND WHERE I SHOULD GO FROM HERE

Mileage: 190,000

20170626STEERING

I BOUGHT A CAR ON JUNE 17TH I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR SO I TOLD THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM I WANTED IT INSPECTED BEFORE I MADE A DECISION TO BUY IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE SHE BROUGHT IT TO HER INSPECTION STATION IN IT GOT IN INSPECTION STICKER STATING THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AS I DROVE IT HOME I NOTICED THAT IT WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN IN THAT THE FRONT-END AND BACK-END WOULD HIT THE GROUND I HAD A FRIEND LOOK AT IT THAT KNOWS ABOUT CARS AND TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT AND BACK STRUTS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND IT ALSO HAD FOR BALD TIRES AND THERE IS OIL SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE I CONTACTED THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM AND SHE WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS AND WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH GIVING ME MY MONEY BACK I ALSO WENT BACK TO THE INSPECTION STATION AND ASKED HOW THE HECK DID THIS CAR GET IN INSPECTION STICKER I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE I NEED ADVICE AND WHERE I SHOULD GO FROM HERE

Mileage: 190,000

20170626SUSPENSION

I BOUGHT A CAR ON JUNE 17TH I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR SO I TOLD THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM I WANTED IT INSPECTED BEFORE I MADE A DECISION TO BUY IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE SHE BROUGHT IT TO HER INSPECTION STATION IN IT GOT IN INSPECTION STICKER STATING THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AS I DROVE IT HOME I NOTICED THAT IT WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN IN THAT THE FRONT-END AND BACK-END WOULD HIT THE GROUND I HAD A FRIEND LOOK AT IT THAT KNOWS ABOUT CARS AND TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT AND BACK STRUTS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND IT ALSO HAD FOR BALD TIRES AND THERE IS OIL SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE I CONTACTED THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM AND SHE WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS AND WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH GIVING ME MY MONEY BACK I ALSO WENT BACK TO THE INSPECTION STATION AND ASKED HOW THE HECK DID THIS CAR GET IN INSPECTION STICKER I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE I NEED ADVICE AND WHERE I SHOULD GO FROM HERE

Mileage: 190,000

20170326FireENGINE

I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR TO GO TO WORK AND I HEARD A BACKFIRE, MY HUSBAND CAME OUT WONDERING WHAT THAT BANG WAS. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD. HE POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND FLAMES CAME SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE CLOSED THE HOOD TO SMOTHER THE FIRE, WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT' TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NOW WE ARE WITHOUT A CAR. NOW WHAT!!!! THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND GREAT WORKING ORDER BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.

Mileage: 145,000

20170109FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE IT MADE A POPPING SOUND AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. MOMENTARILY THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/16/17*LJ UPDATED 08/11/2017*JS

20170108UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REAR WINDOW FALLS DOWN. KNOWN PROBLEM IN BUCKS. VERY COSTLY TEMPORARY FIX AS WINDOW WILL NOT STAY UP FOR LONG AND WILL FALL DOWN AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME FROM SCHOOL IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER AFTER THE WINDOW FELL DOWN. BUICK AND GOVERNMENT PROTECTION AGENCY SHOULD BE ASHAMED.

Mileage: 70,000

20161213AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,889.

Mileage: 206,889

20161104FireENGINE

THERE WAS AN OIL SMELL WHILE MY CAR WAS RUNNING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DEFROST STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MY MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE AND IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THIS LEAK WAS FIXED. I LEFT THE CAR AT HIS SHOP WHILE THE PARTS WERE ORDERED. I LEARNED OF THE GM RECALL OF THE 3800 SERIES ENGINE (OIL SEEPING THROUGH VALVE COVER GASKETS AND CAUSING ENGINE FIRES) AND ASKED MY MECHANIC IF THIS WAS THE SAME OIL LEAKING PROBLEM AND WHY WASN'T THE MODEL, THE 2001 BUICK LESABRE, PUT ON THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE IT HAS THE 3800 SERIES ENGINE IN IT. HE DID NOT KNOW, SO I CALLED GM AND ASK WHY THIS MODEL WASN'T LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE GM SUPPORT STAFF SEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER AND SAID THAT THIS MODEL IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I DECIDED TO CONTINUE WITH THE REPAIR OF THE OIL LEAK, AND MY MECHANIC ORDERED NEW VALVE COVER AND GASKET PARTS. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER DUE TO

Mileage: 144,000

20160708FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. SEVERE HESITATION AND LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE REPLACED THE 3 IGNITION COILS, THE IGNITION MODULE, NEW SPARK PLUGS, AND A WIRE SET. I HAVE BEEN READING ALOT ABOUT FIRES ON THIS SITE. YESTERDAY 7/7/16 WHEN I CAME HOME THERE WAS A LOUD WEERING SOUND, AND ONCE I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE THEIR WAS A LOUD PIERCING WHISTLE AS IF BUILT UP PRESSURE WAS BEING RELIEVED UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. TODAY AGAIN A LACK OF POWER, FLASHING SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, AND NO POWER. I AFRAID THE ENGINE MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE AS IN OTHER POSTINGS ON THIS SITE.

Mileage: 167,000

20160415FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND SENDER BECAUSE OF ERRATIC LEVELS 6 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM ARROSE

20160415UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASH PEELING UP AT WINDSHIELD ON DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT HALF WAY TO PASSENGERS SIDE

Compare 2001BUICKLESABRE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 BUICK LESABRE have?
The 2001 BUICK LESABRE has 460 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 25 fires, 21 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 BUICK LESABRE?
The most-complained component for the 2001 BUICK LESABRE is VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS with 74 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2001 BUICK LESABRE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.