2001 Buick Lesabre

◆ Worse than typical
2001 Buick Lesabre
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
328
Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Visibility

31% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 5 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1987: 44 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 47 complaints 1991: 30 complaints 1991 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 196 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 178 complaints 1996: 98 complaints 1997: 394 complaints 1997 1998: 400 complaints 1999: 209 complaints 2000: 669 complaints 2001: 328 complaints 2001 328 2002: 310 complaints 2003: 164 complaints 2004: 162 complaints 2005: 77 complaints 2006: 3 complaints 2006
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 5 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 44 complaints 1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 27 complaints 1990: 47 complaints 1990 1991: 30 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1992 1993: 196 complaints 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 178 complaints 1996: 98 complaints 1996 1997: 394 complaints 1998: 400 complaints 1998 1999: 209 complaints 2000: 669 complaints 2001: 328 complaints 2001 328 2002: 310 complaints 2003: 164 complaints 2004: 162 complaints 2004 2005: 77 complaints 2006: 3 complaints 2006
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 5 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 44 complaints 1987 1988: 21 complaints 1988 1989: 27 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1990 1991: 30 complaints 1991 1992: 191 complaints 1992 1993: 196 complaints 1993 1994: 168 complaints 1994 1995: 178 complaints 1995 1996: 98 complaints 1996 1997: 394 complaints 1997 1998: 400 complaints 1998 1999: 209 complaints 1999 2000: 669 complaints 2000 2001: 328 complaints 2001 328 2002: 310 complaints 2002 2003: 164 complaints 2003 2004: 162 complaints 2004 2005: 77 complaints 2005 2006: 3 complaints 2006

2001: 328 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19810
19821
19831
19845
19855
198616
198744
198821
198927
199047
199130
1992191
1993196
1994168
1995178
199698
1997394
1998400
1999209
2000669
2001328
2002310
2003164
2004162
200577
20063

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Visibility

31% · 102 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and glass, side/rear.

CRASHINJURY

Structure

15% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

14% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Battery would not hold charge. Had a new computer put in. Did not help. Had a new alternator installed. Did not help. Car caught on fire after about a year of trying to find the cause.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-02-09

Under hood fire while driving at 15 MPH. Dealer/manufacturer notified. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-02-07

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Power train

9% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift assembly.

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2001Complaint volume 328 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Buick Lesabre — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 102 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 45 reports on file for this year.

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2001 Buick Lesabre reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Buick Lesabre is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Buick Lesabre?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Buick Lesabre have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.