2003 Buick Lesabre problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure (37) · Structure:body (12) · Power Train (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Buick Lesabre model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
119 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (449)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-03-28 · 23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on onstar module 2g sunset information.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Showing the 6 most recent of 449 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-05-19 · Unknown Or Other“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 …”
2024-03-25 · Steering“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 ano…”
2023-08-19 · Tires · 💥 crash“215/70r15 98t tire purchased 10 days prior blew-out , resulting in total loss of vehicle.…”
2022-02-07 · Structure:body:trunk Lid · 60,000 mi“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. …”
2021-05-27 · Engine · 136,776 mi · 🔥 fire“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 contac…”
2020-02-29 · Unknown Or Other · 80,000 mi“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…”
2020-01-13 · Suspension · 140,000 mi“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 …”
2020-01-06 · Power Train · 116,000 mi“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.…”
2019-06-05 · Power Train“buick 2003 lesabre tsb i need the service bulitons on the transmission for shudder ,harsh shifting while driving and heated up properly…”
2019-04-21 · Unknown Or Other · 160,000 mi“the airbag light stays on and the dash is separating from the firewall of the motor. there is a gap between the windshield and the dash…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.