NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Buick Lesabre Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Buick Lesabre has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 164 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 2003 Buick Lesabre, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2003 Buick Lesabre owner complaints

Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Buick Lesabre, describing incidents dated January 5, 2003 to May 19, 2025.

Most-cited components

Structure 57 complaints
Air Bags 21 complaints
Power Train 18 complaints
Engine 16 complaints
Electrical System 15 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 15 complaints

Of the 164 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 164 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11661927 · Filed May 19, 2025
The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about…
ODI #11579289 · Filed March 25, 2024
On [XXX] original Steering Rack and Pinion was replaced at 138974 miles by established reputable garage with NAPA part which was remanufactured. That part failed [XXX] at 141443 miles. That part failed [XXX] at 145999 miles and was replaced with NAPA part which was remanufactured. That part failed…
ODI #11539531 · Filed August 19, 2023
215/70R15 98T Tire purchased 10 days prior blew-out , resulting in total loss of vehicle.

Read all 164 complaints

Owner-reported

2003 Buick Lesabre mileage at failure

118 of the 164 complaints on file for the 2003 Buick Lesabre give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Structure	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–90,000 miles	Based on 45 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.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

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).

2003 Buick LeSabre 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

164 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Buick Lesabre.

Steering; Power Train; Unknown or Other

ODI #11661927

Incident: May 19, 2025 · Filed: May 19, 2025

The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about my and my family safely

Steering

ODI #11579289

Incident: December 12, 2018 · Filed: March 25, 2024

On [XXX] original Steering Rack and Pinion was replaced at 138974 miles by established reputable garage with NAPA part which was remanufactured. That part failed [XXX] at 141443 miles. That part failed [XXX] at 145999 miles and was replaced with NAPA part which was remanufactured. That part failed and was replaced at [XXX] at 157999 miles with another NAPA remanufactured part. That part failed about July 2023 and has not been replaced . The repair garage that had been replacing this rack and pinion stated they will no longer replace it since the outcome would be the same. The problem in all instances is that the hydraulic fluid leaks out of the unit through the rack and pinion which in turn affects the steering. The leak starts slowly and eventually increases to the point where the fluid will leak from the unit even when the car is not in use. I reported the problem to NAPA in writing [XXX] and received a telephonic request for documentation [XXX] which was furnished along with a statement that this matter was being looked into. I am not interested in any monetary refund but am only concerned about the safety of parts sold as "remanufactured" . The automobile repair shop is aware of my concern and supports my complaint. Both the repair shop and myself have documentation. I believe that based upon the number of times this part has failed indicates a potential problem in at the remanufactured automobile parts industry for at least this particular part and possibly others. I am willing to furnish any information I have. Thank you -- [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Tires

ODI #11539531

Crash 1 injury

Incident: July 24, 2023 · Filed: August 19, 2023

215/70R15 98T Tire purchased 10 days prior blew-out , resulting in total loss of vehicle.

Structure

ODI #11450822

1 injury

Incident: January 1, 2006 · Filed: February 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that their trunk failed to remain in the open position when needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Engine

ODI #11418796

Fire

Incident: May 1, 2021 · Filed: May 27, 2021

The contact owns a 2003 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that after his friend drove the vehicle to his residence, there was a burning oil odor detected. The contact opened the hood and there was smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as a valve cover gasket leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the failure could lead to an engine compartment fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 136,776.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11312273

Incident: June 1, 2019 · Filed: February 29, 2020

THE DASH PAD IS CURLING UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.THERE IS A GAP OF SEVERAL INCHES. MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS IN MY RESEARCH. WILL NEED TO REPLACE DASH PAD

Suspension

ODI #11299054

Incident: June 17, 2019 · Filed: January 13, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC NOTICED ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING SUSPENSION WAS CORRODED THROUGH. IN ADDITION DUE TO THE CORROSION ON THE TOP OF THE SPRING, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE SUPPORT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB PION BUICK GMC DEALER, (333 MEMORIAL DR, CHICOPEE, MA 01020, (413) 598-8377) WHERE THEY NOTICED THE CORROSION BUT DID NOT RECOMMEND TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RUST UNDERNEATH WERE PRISTINE AND THE SPRING LEANING ON THE FRAME PUSHING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ALL SUPPORT, THE SPRING WAS PRE-FLOATING AT THE TOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140.000.

Power Train

ODI #11297290

Incident: January 1, 2019 · Filed: January 6, 2020

WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS WARMER DURING TRANSIT, THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO SLIP. IT GETS WORSE AND THE DURATION OF THE SLIP BEGINS TO. LAST LONGER.

Power Train

ODI #11218010

Incident: March 12, 2018 · Filed: June 5, 2019

BUICK 2003 LESABRE TSB I NEED THE SERVICE BULITONS ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR SHUDDER ,HARSH SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING AND HEATED UP PROPERLY

Power Train

ODI #11217974

Incident: February 12, 2010 · Filed: June 4, 2019

TRANSMISSION BUMPS SOME TIMES

Other Buick Lesabre model years

Check your 2003 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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