2004 Buick LESABRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
162 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
63,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 126 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 162 complaints (21.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 9.9% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 7.4% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 6.8% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 3.1% |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 35 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 27 |
| Structure | 16 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
Electrical System: 35; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 27; Structure: 16; Air Bags: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 7; Power Train: 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 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 6
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 36 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 | 1 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 11; 2005: 10; 2006: 3; 2007: 5; 2008: 9; 2009: 14; 2010: 12; 2011: 17; 2012: 12; 2013: 10; 2014: 17; 2015: 14; 2016: 9; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10045002 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054412 · 2004-01-18 (January 18, 2004)
THE RIDERS SEAT AND THE REAR SEATS ARE THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS I HAVE EVER SAT IN. THEY ARE HARD AND MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WILL SLIDE RIGHT OFF OF THEM. IF I GO ANY AMOUNT OF TIME IN THE SEATS I GET A VERY BAD BACK ACHE. I NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM WITH MY OLDS 88. * CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059566 · 2004-02-23 (February 23, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067044 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN STOPPING OR BACKING UP. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS WORSE WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 2-3 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME HE WAS TOLD THAT MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS WERE INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING. *AK THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, SEAT'S AND FLOOR BOARDS. WHEN IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER. THE REAR SEAT MIDDLE ARM REST CUP HOLDER HAD COME APART. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067565 · 2004-04-21 (April 21, 2004)
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 BUICK LESABRE WITH 18000 MILES. I CAN FEEL A VIBRATION IN MY FEET, SEAT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60MPH. THE DEALER CHECKED THE TIRES AND REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SAYING IT WAS OUT OF ROUND AND THAT ALL THE OTHER TIRES WERE IN BALANCE AND WITHIN SPEC.S. I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR SEVERALS DAY NOW AND I CAN'T DISCERN ANY IMPROVEMENT. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT. BACK THIS MORNING AND THEY RECOMMENDED I PURCHASE A $566 SET OF NEW TIRES! I THINK THE PROBLEM IS IN THE DRIVETRAIN BUT THEY WON'T EVEN DISCUSS THAT PO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067726 · 2004-04-23 (April 23, 2004)
CAR STALLS OUT WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, THIS HAS HAPPENED 25-30 TIMES IN THE 5 MONTHS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING U-TURNS OR BACKING OUT INTO TRAFFIC.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079672 · 2004-06-22 (June 22, 2004)
DURING THE DAY LIGHT HOURS DASHBOARD REFLECTS OFF THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER PLACE A BLACK COVER ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT IF A BLACK COVER WAS USED IT WOULD DISABLE THE HEADS UP DISPLAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 92 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081723 · 2004-07-12 (July 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN TAPPING THE BUMPER IN FRONT AT 5 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK THE DASHBOARD COLLAPSED AND THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED IN TWO PLACES AND CAUSED ABRASIONS ON BOTH OF THE CONSUMER'S WIFE'S ARMS DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,077 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081723 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.