MYRModel Year Report

2002 Buick Lesabre

◆ Worse than typical
2002 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
310
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Visibility

38% 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 2002: 310 complaints 2002 310 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 2000 2001: 328 complaints 2002: 310 complaints 2002 310 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 2002: 310 complaints 2002 310 2003: 164 complaints 2003 2004: 162 complaints 2004 2005: 77 complaints 2005 2006: 3 complaints 2006

2002: 310 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

38% · 117 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

Structure

16% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing body and trunk lid.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The trunk lid collapsed on two occasions while on an incline, and caused injury to the consumer and his wife.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-11

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-28

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, 2001-11-26

Air bags

12% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2002-10-31

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-06-04

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, 2002-03-01

Electrical system

8% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and interior/under dash.

FIRE

Engine and engine cooling

6% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIRE

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 310 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2002-04-05Steering02V067000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2002-08-15Air bags02V222000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Buick Lesabre — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 117 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 37 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V067000 · Steering
  • Recall 02V222000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Buick Lesabre reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Buick Lesabre is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick Lesabre?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Lesabre have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

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