NHTSA vehicle safety data
2002 Buick Lesabre Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2002 Buick Lesabre has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 311 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buick dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Buick Lesabre, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2002 Buick Lesabre owner complaints
Owners have filed 311 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Buick Lesabre, describing incidents dated November 1, 2001 to May 2, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Visibility/Wiper 118 complaints
- Structure 51 complaints
- Air Bags 37 complaints
- Engine 35 complaints
- Electrical System 24 complaints
- Service Brakes 18 complaints
Of the 311 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 12 a fire; across all 311 complaints, owners report 18 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11758087 · Filed
On May 2, 2026, I received a letter by mail from Kumho Tires regarding a set of tires that I purchased, in December 2023; DOT # 2222 and 2223, size, 225/60 R16 98T. In their letter they state that tires with DOT #'s ranging from 0421-0523 were recalled. They go on to state the following: tires…
ODI #11388356 · Filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE VALVE COVER WAS FAULTY AND OIL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE…
ODI #11376540 · Filed
THE FRAME OF MY CAR FELL OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY AFTER I HAD ALREADY REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND HAD BEEN DENIED SERVICES TO GET IT FIXED.
Owner-reported
2002 Buick Lesabre mileage at failure
218 of the 311 complaints on file for the 2002 Buick Lesabre give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | Median 50,000 miles | Middle half 35,000–70,000 miles | Based on 88 complaints |
| Structure | Median 70,000 miles | Middle half 40,000–80,000 miles | Based on 42 complaints |
| Air Bags | Median 75,000 miles | Middle half 60,000–120,000 miles | Based on 30 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Buick Lesabre in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA02-030: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed March 9, 2004
GM/AIR BAG INFLATOR
NHTSA #02V222000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice
Reported August 9, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Potentially affected: 133,221 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 02032 · Owners notified August 15, 2002 · Vehicles built May 1, 2002 – July 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
GM RECALL NO. 02032. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
GM/STEERING GEAR BOLTS
NHTSA #02V067000 · Steering — Gear Box (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) · NHTSA notice
Reported March 6, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Potentially affected: 249 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 02009 · Owners notified April 5, 2002 · Vehicles built December 10, 2001 – December 11, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Buick Lesabre model years
Check your 2002 Buick Lesabre VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buick Lesabre at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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