2005 Buick LESABRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
52,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 59 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 77 complaints (19.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 11.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 5.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
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 | 15 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Electrical System: 15; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 6; Air Bags: 5; Engine: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Service Brakes: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2005: 13; 2006: 7; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 8; 2011: 5; 2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 11; 2015: 6; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 10110462 · 2005-02-13 (February 13, 2005)
A SWITCH LABELED "ENG/MET" LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSES THE SPEEDOMETER READ APPROXIMATELY DOUBLE YOUR ACTUAL SPEED. IT IS VERY EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY PRESS THIS SWITCH WHEN TURNING ON YOUR LIGHTS, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME THE FIRST DAY I DROVE THIS RENTAL CAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115917 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
AFTER BEING REAR ENDED CONSUMER STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE VERY LOOSE, AND DID NOT HOLD HIM PROPERLY. THE POLICE DID NOT REPLY.*AK *BF *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116867 · 2005-04-13 (April 13, 2005)
3/17/2005 TRAVELED TO MYRTLE BEACH, SC MOSTLY ON I-95. ON THE WAY I EXPERIENCED PERIODS OF RAIN. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED A PROBLEM WAS DURING RAIN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSED ME APPLY MY BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. WHEN I APPLIED FOOT PRESSURE IN THE NORMAL MANNER THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY, INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN IMMEDIATELY, I DISCOVERED I NEEDED TO APPLY AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES MORE PRESSURE (IF NOT MORE) TO GET THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. I ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP WHENEVER I WAS IN WET CONDITIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119503 · 2005-05-26 (May 26, 2005)
HOOD MOVES UP AND DOWN, DUE TO VIBRATION, HAPPENS AT 40 MPH. ALSO, STEERING VIBRATES. TAKEN TO DEALER, TIRES CHANGED 2 TIMES. DEALER SAID NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO SINCE IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. ALSO CALLED MANUFACTURER, WHO SAID THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE PROBLEM. CAR WAS AT DEALER 6 TIMES DEALER HAS DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP. BUT IT WAS STILL NOT FIX. DEALER SAID ROTATION PROBLEM- DIFFERENT SIZE TIRES- CHANGED WHEEL CALIBRATION, AND ROAD TEST UNDER 40 MPH GM REPRESENTATIVE WAS WORKING WITH CONSUMER BU…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127144 · 2005-08-01 (August 1, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS RIDE UP HIGH; HALF IS ON THE COLLAR BONE, AND THE OTHER HALF RESTS ON THE SOFT PART OF CONSUMERS NECK. THE CONSUMER IS 5 FEET 11 INCHES TALL. HIS WIFE HASN'T DRIVEN THE CAR YET. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE CONSUMER CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128820 · 2005-07-14 (July 14, 2005)
(1) STARTED AS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD AND CAR WAS STATIONARY - STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR RESULTED IN NO MOTION FOLLOWED BY CAR LURCHING/JERKING INTO FIRST GEAR; THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE REPEATABLE OVER A THREE YEAR TIME PERIOD; JUST PRIOR TO FAILURE, THE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND MAKE NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP; AT FAILURE, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE (FORWARD OR IN REVERSE) (2) COMPLETE FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - SURPRISING BECAUSE AUTO ONLY HAD 22,300 MILES ON IT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED …
Owner-reported narrative. 22,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132100 · 2005-09-06 (September 6, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER STOPPED ON AN INCLINE WAITING ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND DISCOVERED WHEN REMOVING FOOT OFF THE BRAKES VEHICLE ROLLED BACK. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS AND IT STILL ROLLED BACK. THIS ONLY OCCURRED ON INCLINES. HAD NOT BEEN TO DEALER, NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. . CALLED DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CONSUMER USED ONSTAR AND THE DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND THEY FOUND THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, AND INSTRUCTED CONSUMER TO CALL DEALERSHIP. HAD NOT CONTACTED MANUFA…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132893 · 2005-08-15 (August 15, 2005)
TIRE AND VEHICLE VIBRATION AND NOISE PROBLEM, INCREASING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60-70 MPH) WITH MY NEWLY PURCHASED 2005 BUICK LASABRE IN JULY 2005. *JB TWO DEALERSHIPS DID EXTENSIVE INSPECTIONS, ROAD TESTS, TIRE REBALANCING AND STABILIZER REPAIRS AND WERE NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF VIBRATION AND NOISE. THEY ADVISED CALLING GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOR HELP, WHO PREPARED FILE NO. 1-355945989 AS UNRESOLVED, AND RECOMMENDED I FILE THIS COMPLAINT WITH YOUR OFFICES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10132893 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.