2002 Buick Lesabre

◆ Worse than typical

2002 Buick Lesabre
BUILT 2026-09-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2002: 310 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1981	0
1982	1
1983	1
1984	5
1985	5
1986	16
1987	44
1988	21
1989	27
1990	47
1991	30
1992	191
1993	196
1994	168
1995	178
1996	98
1997	394
1998	400
1999	209
2000	669
2001	328
2002	310
2003	164
2004	162
2005	77
2006	3

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

VISIBILITY 38%

38% of complaints: visibility — 117 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

STRUCTURE 16%

16% of complaints: structure — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and trunk lid.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE TRUNK LID COLLAPSED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE ON AN INCLINE, AND CAUSED INJURY TO THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030211

CONSUMER OPENED TRUNK WITH REMOTE CONTROL. TRUNK LID OPENED, CONSUMER BENT OVER TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF TRUNK, AND LID CLOSED AND CAME DOWN ON CONSUMER'S HEAD. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI report, 20020828

WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS PARKED FORWARD ON A SLIGHT INCLINE THE TRUNK LID BOUNCES, WHEN OPENED BY THE REMOTE. BOTH MY WIFE AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN HIT ON THE HEAD, I RECEIVED A SLIGHT LACERATION. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. SOMEONE CAN GET A CONCUSSION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20011126

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS HIT ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR, DRIVER DOOR WAS PENETRATED 8-10 INCHES. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED BRUISED KIDNEY AND MULTIPLE INJURIES ON LEFT SIDE OF BODY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021031

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH VEHICLE WENT OFF THE SIDE OF ROAD ON AN INCLINE, HIT LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE, AND WENT INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020604

MY WIFE ARLENE L HOLMQUIST WAS DRIVING HOME FROM HER VOLUNTEER JOB 75 MILES AT 5:30 PM IN THE AFTERNOON AND FELL ASLEEP APPROXIMATLEY 12 MILES FROM HOME AND WENT ACROSS THE MIDDLE LINE AND ONTO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RECEIVED SERIOUS...

NHTSA ODI report, 20020301

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and interior/under dash.

FIRE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 310

R 20020405 — steering

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

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

Campaign 02V067000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020815 — air bags

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.

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 O

Campaign 02V222000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES