2003 Buick LESABRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
164 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 119 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 39 of 164 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 26 | 15.9% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 9.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 39 |
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Structure:Body | 15 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 |
Structure: 39; Air Bags: 17; Structure:Body: 15; Electrical System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Power Train: 10; Engine: 8; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 27 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 31 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 31; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 6
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (31). 45 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2003: 12; 2004: 18; 2005: 4; 2006: 9; 2007: 12; 2008: 5; 2009: 2; 2010: 13; 2011: 17; 2012: 13; 2013: 6; 2014: 26; 2015: 9; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 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 10012400 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
WHILE TAKING GROCERIES OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE TRUNK LID FELL AND HIT CONSUMER ON HEAD. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED PAIN,SWELLING AND SCABS ON THE CONSUMERS FOREHEAD AND NOSE. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019901 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
THE OWNER HAD DIFFICULTY WITH PROPER ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE OWNER DESCRIBED THE DIFFICULTY AS A " SHADOW ", WHICH CONSTANTLY DISTRACTED HIM WHILE DRIVING. THE SERVICE MANAGER WROTE TO THE COMPANY ABOUT THE ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS NOT ILLUMINATING PROPERLY. *NLM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021963 · 2003-05-30 (May 30, 2003)
WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE OR DRIVEN THERE IS NO INDICATION IN WHAT GEAR YOUR IN. THE LETTER DOESN'T LIGHT UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025110 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STATED THE HORN WAS DIFFICULT TO ACTIVATE AND THE PLASTIC MATERIAL USED TO MANUFACTURER THE HORN MADE IT HARD TO PUSH DOWN. *NLM A GM REPRESENTATIVE WITNESSED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO BLOW THE HORN AND IN AN EMERGENCY IT MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE. THE CONSUMERS WIFE HAD ARTHRITIS AND WAS UNABLE TO BLOW THE HORN UNDER MOST CIRCUMSTANCES. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026196 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
WHILE THE DRIVER EITHER ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD ALMOST TOUCH THE FLOOR. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK *PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,902 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029641 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE SURGED AND DROVE OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040224 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED.*MR CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR PROBLEMS WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE ON 2003 BUICK LESABRE. CONSUMER STATED THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITH HIS 1998 BUICK LESABRE ALSO. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041329 · 2003-10-06 (October 6, 2003)
SHAKES & VIBRATIONS IN STEERING WHEEL & FLOOR OF VEHICLE, DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO BALANCE TIRES WITHOUT MUCH SUCCESS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041329 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗