2002 Buick LESABRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
310 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 220 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls is the most frequently named component, appearing in 82 of 310 complaints (26.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 25 | 8.1% |
| Braking behavior | 20 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 3.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 82 |
| Structure | 33 |
| Air Bags | 26 |
| Visibility | 21 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 82; Structure: 33; Air Bags: 26; Visibility: 21; Engine: 16; Electrical System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Structure:Body: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 41 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 48 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 46 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 36 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 31 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 41; 25,000 to 49,999: 48; 50,000 to 74,999: 46; 75,000 to 99,999: 36; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 18
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (48). 90 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 37 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 36 |
| 2007 | 28 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 25 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 13; 2003: 37; 2004: 12; 2005: 13; 2006: 36; 2007: 28; 2008: 30; 2009: 17; 2010: 25; 2011: 17; 2012: 19; 2013: 6; 2014: 13; 2015: 16; 2016: 10; 2017: 4; 2018: 5; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001578 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001762 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
CONSUMER HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS. ALSO, EVERY TIME CONSUMER TURNS OFF VEHICLE AT NIGHT TIME ,HE COMES BACK NEXT MORNING , AND HAS NO BATTERY. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED, AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. TS......*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002015 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO START AND CONSUMER HAS TO TRY NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002379 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE WILL BACK FIRE. TS *DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003904 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE "HILLS" RESULTING IN CONSUMER BEING STRANDED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY FOR OVER A YEAR DUE TO BATTERY GROUND CABLE BEING LOOSELY ATTACHED TO VEHICLE'S FRAME. AS A RESULT, CABLE WOULD COME UNATTACHED, CAUSING CAR TO STALL. BATTERY WAS INSTALLED UNDER VEHICLE'S REAR SEAT. TS.....*AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004045 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THEY WILL HAVE TO TRY NUMEROUS TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005966 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT DOES NOT FIT SECURELY AROUND LAP OR SHOULDER. THE BELT ALSO DOES NOT LOCK. IF BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED ABRUPTLY DOES NOT TIGHTEN. THE BELT WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED IN 09/02, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH NEW BELT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 11,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006161 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
THE TRUNK LID COLLAPSED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE ON AN INCLINE, AND CAUSED INJURY TO THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 4,086 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006161 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V067000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Reported: 2002-03-06 (March 6, 2002)
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.
Consequence: IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗02V222000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)
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.
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
NHTSA campaign record ↗