Total Complaints
95 filings
BUICK LESABRE · model year
95 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005BUICKLESABRE carries 95 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 3 fires, 7 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 2005 LESABRE is electrical system with 15 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (6) and power train:automatic transmission (5). 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 2005 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.
Total Complaints
95 filings
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 15 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 3 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
The contact owns a 2005 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fuel gauge sensors failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the fuel gauge sensor failed to provide adequate information regarding the fuel level. The fuel warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, there was an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front driverâs side hub bearing had failed to function as intended. The contact had replaced the hub bearing three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,647.
Mileage: 92,647
The contact owns a 2005 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fuel gauge sensors failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the fuel gauge sensor failed to provide adequate information regarding the fuel level. The fuel warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, there was an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front driverâs side hub bearing had failed to function as intended. The contact had replaced the hub bearing three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,647.
Mileage: 92,647
Fuel gauge false reading. Hard shift's
Fuel gauge false reading. Hard shift's
ENGINE INTAKE GASKET FAILURE
THE TRANSMISSION RARELY SLIPS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I MUST PULL OVER SHIFT OFF THE VEHICLE AND START IT AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 92,000
THE TRANSMISSION RARELY SLIPS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I MUST PULL OVER SHIFT OFF THE VEHICLE AND START IT AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 92,000
THE HEADLIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING. IT IS NOT THE BULB AS THE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I LOCK OR UNLOCK THE CAR USING THE FOB. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE HEADLIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING, THIS WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. I JUST HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP TWO MONTHS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT I CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT AS I HAVE NO LIGHTS AND CAN'T KEEP TAKING IT TO THE SHOP AND PAYING OUT MONEY EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM.
Mileage: 175,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES APPEARED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS FOR THE CONTACT'S SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BROWN & WOOD INC. (329 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC 27834, (252) 227-0948) WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER REPAIR INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT
Mileage: 59,000
FAILURE OF STEPPER MOTORS IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.
Mileage: 26,523
MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON OR WOULD GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING . I HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. A PRELIMINARY RECALL NOTICE CAME TO ME TELLING ME TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON, UNTIL THEY FIGURED OUT THE ISSUE. AFTER ABOUT 6 TO 9 MONTHS THEY ISSUED A RECALL. THEY INDICATED IT WAS A "MODULE", I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE MODULE REPLACED. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK IN AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND SAID THAT THE MODULE WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH CONNECTIONS INSIDE THE MODULE / FUSE BOX. HE SAID IT WAS A BOX ISSUE AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $500 FOR A NEW BOX. PLEASE NOTE, NO DAMAGE OR TAMPERING HAS EVER DONE ON SAID BOX. THIS DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME. HE SAID HE WAS SORRY AND TRIED TO GIVE ME A "BREAK" ON THE PRICE. I DID NOT DESIGN THE BOX, I JUST OWN THE CAR WITH THE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT WORK UNLESS YOU PUT ON THE HIGH BEAMS. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME.
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO WORK. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Mileage: 78,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,771.
Mileage: 48,771
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS MAKING THE SRS SYSTEM INOPERABLE AND MOST OF ALL A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE ASAP THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 1/28/16 *JS
2014 CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET AND HAD TO BE TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
Mileage: 108,000
SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON AND COULD NEED TO BE CORRECTED BY PUTTING IN THE NEW SEAT BELT.
Mileage: 45,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Mileage: 119,000
LETTER FROM SENATOR RUBIO ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2005 BUICK LESABRE DEFECTS (ATTN: DAVID HUFF). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE, AND WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WAS PROTRUDING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALLS DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE. *JB
LETTER FROM SENATOR RUBIO ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2005 BUICK LESABRE DEFECTS (ATTN: DAVID HUFF). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE, AND WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WAS PROTRUDING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALLS DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE. *JB
LETTER FROM SENATOR RUBIO ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2005 BUICK LESABRE DEFECTS (ATTN: DAVID HUFF). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE, AND WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WAS PROTRUDING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALLS DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE. *JB
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.