BUICK LESABRE · model year

2002 BUICK LESABRE

380 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002BUICKLESABRE carries 380 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 16 fires, 20 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 2002 LESABRE is visibility:power window devices and controls with 82 filings, followed by structure (33) and air bags (26). 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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2002 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.

380
Complaints
17
Crashes
16
Fires
20
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

380 filings

Crashes Reported

17 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 CONTROLS82
STRUCTURE33
AIR BAGS26
VISIBILITY21
ENGINE16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
STRUCTURE:BODY10
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9
STEERING9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP6

Recalls (2)

02V22200009/08/2002

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

02V06700006/03/2002

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.

Recent Complaints

20210115FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE VALVE COVER WAS FAULTY AND OIL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE LOCAL DEALER WALLINGFORD BUICK LOCATED AT 1122 OLD NORTH COLONY RD, WALLINGFORD, CT 06492 AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20201127SERVICE 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.

Mileage: 100,000

20201127POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20201127STEERING

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20200820CrashSERVICE 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.

Mileage: 200,000

20190515FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

CPSC: THE HEATED SEAT IN MY VEHICLE HAS BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS

20190426VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

IN A SMALL TOWN, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT THE HIGHWAY CROSSROAD WITH 2-3 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND STARTED BRAKING. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY REVVED, I MOVED MY FOOT TO TRY TO RAISE THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR; IT WOULD NOT RAISE. I IMMEDIATELY PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND AS PULLING AS CLOSE TO CURB AS POSSIBLE, I SHUT THE IGNITION OFF, THEN PLACED IN PARK. IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK HOME UNTIL WE CAN DEAL WITH IT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO ACT QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON.

Mileage: 230,000

20190111FireSEATS

THE HEATED SEATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT.

Mileage: 210,000

20181206FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

WAS DRIVING AND AS I PULLED TO REDLIGHT VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS BUT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM THE MOTOR

20181206FireENGINE

WAS DRIVING AND AS I PULLED TO REDLIGHT VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS BUT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM THE MOTOR

20181206FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING AND AS I PULLED TO REDLIGHT VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS BUT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM THE MOTOR

20180824UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WINDOW MOTOR HAS GONE OUT NUMEROUS TIMES ON FRONT 2 WINDOWS AND HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED.LAST TIME DRIVERS SIDE WAS REPAIRED WAS 4-17-2014.THAT WAS 3RD REPAIR .HAS SINCE BROKEN AGAIN BUT I DID NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN. BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OPEN WHILE ON INTERSTATE 2 YEARS AGO. MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT WITH AROUND 60,000 MILES.THESE ISSUES STARTED WITHIN 3 OR 4 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED IT NEW. THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I TAKE MY CAR SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN MANY LESABRES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.GM DOESN'T SEEM TO FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM.I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAVE WRITTEN AND CALLED THEM SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT MY CONCERNS.JUST WISH THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR POOR ENGINEERING.

Mileage: 55,000

20180611FireENGINE

DROVE CAR 0.2 MILES PARKED CAR WENT INTO WALMART CAR WAS SEEN SMOKING IN PARKING LOT ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE FIRE DEPT CAME TALKED TO AUTO SHOP THEY SAID IT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS YEAR OF VEHICLE MANY TIMES DUE TO A MANUFACTURER ISSUE

Mileage: 900,000

20180309CrashSERVICE 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.

Mileage: 200,000

20180119FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ON STARTUP THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED BREAKING THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND CATCHING THE ENGINE ON FIRE

Mileage: 116,098

20170709STEERING

12-1-10 86587M, BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 1-21-15 119486M, RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD REPLACED.

20170614CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, FRACTURED EYE SOCKETS, AND HEAD INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V222000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20170610CrashAIR BAGS

GOT. INTO A. ACCIDENT ON 6 /9/2017 I WAS TRAVELING 35 TO37 MLS. PER HOUR A DARK BLUE VAN TRIED TO GO BEFORE ME COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY COMING TOWARDS ME SHE TURN IN FOUNT OF ME I HIT HER ON PASSAGE SIDE OF VAN IT WAS A MAJOR ACCIDENT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WE WERE ON PERKINS ST OF AKRON OHIO. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Mileage: 165,000

20170303AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20161229AIR BAGS

SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED - WARMING UP AT IDLE - IN 4 DEGREE F OUTSIDE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE - HAVING BEEN IN HIGH WIND CONTAINING SANDY DIRT PARTICLES OVERNIGHT - VEHICLE UNOCCUPIED - STATIONARY IN RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. *TR

Mileage: 118,000

Compare 2002BUICKLESABRE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 BUICK LESABRE have?
The 2002 BUICK LESABRE has 380 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 16 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 BUICK LESABRE?
Yes, the 2002 BUICK LESABRE has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BUICK LESABRE?
The most-complained component for the 2002 BUICK LESABRE is VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS with 82 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2002 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.