RoadVitals

2004 Buick Lesabre Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jul 21, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 162 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Buick Lesabre submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Jul 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD STARTED TO LIFT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW TO THE END OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE UNDERLINING PADDING WAS VIABLE AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ID
10735546
Incident
Jul 19, 2015
Mileage
119,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 16, 2014

DASH HAS STARTED TO BUCKLE UP IN FRONT OF DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IMPACTS THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER AND MIGHT IMPAIR (OR CAUSE) THE IMPROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10625799
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
20,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 21, 2014

THE DASHBOARD ON THE VEHICLE HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE GRILL UNDER THE WINDOW AND IS RISING UP. IT HAS RELEASED ALMOST ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO IT HAS EXPOSED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615079
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 29, 2014

IN MAY OF 2012 THE DASHBOARD COVERING BEGAN TO START BUCKLING UP IN AN AREA FROM THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER SIDE TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAS GOTTEN NOTICEABLY WORSE AS TIME HAS GONE ON. THE OBVIOUS CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE WAY THIS COVERING WAS CONSTRUCTED AND ATTACHED TO THE DASH. THE CONTINUAL RAISING OF THE DASH COVER POSES A REDUCED VISIBILITY ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. RESEARCH I HAVE DONE INDICATES THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM UNIQUE TO MY PERSONAL VEHICLE BUT RATHER A WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT AFFECTING MANY VEHICLES SUCH AS MINE. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN CONCERNS RAISED THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS. BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS DEFECT AND BECAUSE SO MANY VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10594790
Incident
May 1, 2012
Body & structure
Filed Oct 22, 2013

DASH BOARD PAD POPPED UP ABOVE THE GAGE PANEL APPROX. 14" WAS REPORTED TO BUICK SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD NO WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT EXCEPT WHEN IN TRANSIT. I HAVE OWNED QUITE A NUMBER OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES AND NEVER WITNESSED THIS PROBLEM. I AM 73 YEARS OF AGE. MY OTHER CAR IS A TOYOTA IN 2015 I WILL BUY MY THIRD PRIUS. MY BROTHERS ARE ALL TOYOTA OWNERS. NEVER ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548915
Incident
May 2, 2010
Mileage
45,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 13, 2013

SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT MY MOTHER. DASHBOARD COVER STARTED LIFTING AND PULLING OUT FROM UNDER WINDSHIELD COWLING ABOUT JUNE 2009 AND IS TRAVELING ACROSS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THERE IS AN AIRBAG. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE LIFTING AND CREASING IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER IS A SAFETY DISTRACTION AND THAT IF IT CONTINUES TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG THAT AIRBAG MAY GET SET OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, ANOTHER SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS ON THE INTERNET. IS THERE, OR WILL THERE BE, A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY MOTHERS SAFETY WHILE SHE IS DRIVING THIS CAR. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
10535611
Incident
May 10, 2009
Mileage
35,876 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 24, 2013

THE DASHBOARD HAS SEPARATED MORE THAN HALF WAY ACROSS, AND HAS RAISED OVER ONE INCH IN SOME AREAS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL AFFECT THE AIRBAGS,EITHER RENDERING THEM INEFFECTIVE OR ALLOWING THEM TO DEPLOY WHILE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10531541
Incident
Jul 22, 2013
Mileage
63,900 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jun 29, 2013

TOP OF DASH BOARD (MAT,PAD) IS BOWING UP INTO THE FIELD OF DRIVING VISION AND IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRONT PART OF THE DASHBOARD. THE SEPARATION IS CREEPING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND THERE IS CONCERN THAT BOTH AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY. GM REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE AS A DEFECTIVE DASH PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP REPAIR/REPLACE THE PART. TO GET A GOOD FEEL FOR THE PREVALENCE OF THIS ISSUE, GO TO CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-C5295_DS45613 AND READ ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND FRUSTRATIONS OF DEALING WITH GM. I HAVE EVEN SEEN OTHER BUICKS DRIVING WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHY WON'T THEY ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM AND GET THEM FIXED?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10522424
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 3, 2013

FEBRUARY WAS THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THAT THE TOP OF THE DASH WAS BULGING UPWARD AND SEPARATING FROM THE MAIN DASH (ONLY EASILY SEEN FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE). THE SEPARATION IS PROPAGATING PAST THE HALF WAY POINT AND I FEAR IT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, OR IN THE CASE OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THE WHOLE UPPER DASH COULD BE PROJECTED INTO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH BUICK LESABRE CARS FROM 2000 THRU 2005. SAME DESIGN, NEVER CHANGED. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER TOLD THEM THE DASH PAD WAS PEELING, WITCH IS UNTRUE. THE ENTIRE UPPER SECTION, ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH THICK, IS DEFORMING AND SEPARATING FROM THE DASH. I HAVE PHOTOS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. MY GM REPORT NUMBER IS: [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10510572
Incident
Feb 5, 2013
Mileage
66,300 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 15, 2012

I OWN THE LASABRE CUSTOM. DASHBOARD HAS BUCKLED 1/2 WAY BETWEEN THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD TO THE CHASSIS IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AND SPREAD ACROSS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. DASHBOARD HAS SEPARATED AWAY FROM THE CHASSIS AND IS NOW 90% FREE-FLOATING ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND WILL BE COMPLETELY DISENGAGED SOON. THIS WILL LIKELY DEPLOY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND UPON DEPLOYMENT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG WILL RELEASE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOVEMENT. INJURY OR DEATH TO BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER IS EMINENT, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSIDERING THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER 2000-2005 BUICK LASABRE CUSTOMERS GOING BACK 4 YEARS TO CURRENT, THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND A RECALL IS IN ORDER. SHOULD THERE BE A DEATH BEFORE THIS IS VALIDATED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10470816
Incident
Aug 15, 2012
Mileage
46,258 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 14, 2012

DASHBOARD HAS BUCKLED AND SEPARATED FROM CHASSIS IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION AND SPREADS ACROSS MIDDLE AREA AND TOWARDS PASSENGER SIDE. FEAR OF SETTING OFF AIR BAGS AND ALSO FURTHER IMPAIRMENT OF VISION AS CONDITION WORSENS. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY MANUFACTURER. NUMEROUS SIMILAR CASES IN BUICK LESABRE MODELS 2000-2005. *TR

NHTSA ID
10470605
Incident
Jul 3, 2008
Mileage
40,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 5, 2012

I HAVE A 2004 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED THAT THE DASH PAD HAS STARTED RAISING UP BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM, THIS COULD BE A ISSUE OF SAFETY. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10469213
Incident
Aug 2, 2012
Body & structure
Filed Jul 20, 2012

WE NOTICED AROUND MID-JUNE THAT OUR 2004 BUICK LASABRE HAD A WARPED DASHBOARD AND IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE VENT AREA. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAN AND PROBABLY WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND ENDANGER OUR LIVES BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFELY HAZARD AND A DEFECT AND I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY BUICKS AND THE COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10466813
Incident
Jun 15, 2012
Mileage
76,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 11, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING OVER TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY FOR THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID
10465205
Incident
May 7, 2012
Body & structure
Filed Sep 12, 2011

DASH BOARD SEPARATING FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE, POSSIBLE AIR BAG INFLATION IF FAILURE OF DASH OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10425097
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Aug 22, 2011

DASH PAD SEPARATING TO POINT WHERE VISION COULD BE AFFECTED AND POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10421058
Incident
Aug 16, 2011
Mileage
54,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 10, 2011

RE: 2004 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM ISSUE: DASHBOARD BUCKLING, WARPED AND COMING UNDONE FROM OTHER COMPONENTS. TOOK TO GM AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHICH RECOMMENDED THE DASHBOARD BE REPLACED. QUOTED $750 FOR PART AND $500 LABOR. I WAS TOLD IT SHOULD BE REPLACED SOON BECAUSE IT COULD TRIGGER THE AIRBAG IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10411684
Incident
Jul 5, 2011
Mileage
145,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 3, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. IN 2007, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BEGAN LEAKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BACK IN 2007 AND THEY FOUND AN OPEN SEAM AT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COWL AREA. THE DEALER SEALED THE SEAM BACK INTO PLACE AT THE COST OF $650. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THEY WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,574 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,135. UPDATED 08/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10279193
Incident
Dec 26, 2007
Mileage
6,574 mi
AirbagsBody & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 19, 2004
1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, DASHBOARD COLLAPSED AND WINDSHIELD SHATTERED IN TWO PLACES AFTER TAPPING ANOTHER VEHICLE.*MR THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLE'S WAS MINIMAL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED ABRASION ON HER ARM FROM THE AIR BAG/AIR BAG GASES. *NM

NHTSA ID
10083380
Incident
Jul 6, 2004
Mileage
8,077 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .