RoadVitals

2004 Buick Lesabre Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
162
Latest Jun 13, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Oct 29, 2003

What this page shows

Our database holds 162 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Buick Lesabre. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 162 · page 1 of 7

Electrical
Filed Jun 13, 2024

The backup camera will stay in 'night' brightness mode for 15 seconds while backing out of the garage into daylight. This makes the video screen usless until the 15 second delay is over. I have asked several times at the dealership since I purchased this vehicle new, and they say nothing can be done. Not only is this a huge safety issue but it also is an enviromental issue as may times I must wait in the driveway with the car needlessly idling until the 15 seconds is up. This is seems to be a simple software update to remove the delay when the car is in reverse.

NHTSA ID
11594152
Incident
Jun 13, 2024
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 2022

Car has hard shift's that get worse when the car is up to temperature. Fuel gauge show's false reading. Two window regulators failed.

NHTSA ID
11493411
Incident
Apr 12, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Nov 5, 2022

fuel vapor system leaks gas fumes into car. Replaced all fuel lines, pulled tank, renewed canister. 10 months later fumes are again entering car cabin. 105,000 total miles.

NHTSA ID
11492448
Incident
Nov 5, 2022
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 21, 2021

Drove to the store, transmission was hard shifting and then wouldn't hardly move at all. Almost got hit three x!! Very tramatized. How is it that on just one of many web pages 400 people had this problem 140 complained about it! that's just one website! how has this problem not been fixed and recalled?

NHTSA ID
11437729
Incident
Oct 21, 2021
Brakes
Filed Jun 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated while driving 35 mph and depressing on the brake pedal, the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle gradually decreased in speed to a stop. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving to his residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake lines were leaking brake fluid. The independent mechanic repaired the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic and three additional brake lines were replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact was concerned that after inspecting the vehicle himself, he became aware that one of the brake lines was rusted which might cause the failure to recur. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage approximately was 116,500.

NHTSA ID
11422945
Incident
May 2, 2019
Mileage
116,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 23, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11397606
Incident
Feb 22, 2021
Exterior lightingPowertrain (other)Seat belts
Filed Mar 27, 2020

I CONTINUE SMELLING AN OIL-BURNING SMELL AND MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND I HAVE REPLACED TO BLUB OVER AND OVER

NHTSA ID
11319438
Incident
Dec 9, 2019
Filed Sep 8, 2019

WHEN FIRST STARTING UP CAR AND THEN PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, EITHER IN REVERSE OR FORWARD, THERE IS A SURGE, LIKE THE CABLE IS STICKING. NOT SURE WHY, MAYBE DUE FROM AGE OF CAR OR AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL ISSUE. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED ABOUT 85% OF ITS LIFE.

NHTSA ID
11253977
Incident
Sep 8, 2019
Mileage
99,990 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 10, 2019

THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY ACCELERATES AS HIGH AS 50-60MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR HAS TO BE THROWN IN NEUTRAL OR STOPPED SOME PLACE SAFE, AT WHICH POINT IT REVS UP PAST 3000 RPM UNTIL THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO THROTTLE IT BACK DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS IN REVERSE WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AS WELL, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO DO THIS UPON STARTING OR WHILE IT IS WARMING UP. IT CAN BE ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY AND AT ANY SPEED WHEN IT STARTS REVVING HIGH. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT CLUSTERS SOMETIMES SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW AS CONSTANT AND THEN GOING A MONTH WITHOUT DOING IT AT ALL. IT DOES SEEM TO BE MORE LIKELY TO ACCELERATE AFTER HITTING A DIP (LIKE NEAR WHERE A DRAIN IS IN A PARKING LOT) BUT THAT MAY BE JUST COINCIDENTAL. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH A TUNE UP DONE AND THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED ALONG WITH SOME OTHER TROUBLE-SHOOTING WITH THE THROTTLE AT A COST (THUS FAR) OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THIS SO FREQUENTLY IN THE LAST FEW DAYS THAT IS HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11176068
Incident
Feb 10, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2018

THE ENGINE STALLS AND JERKED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO GO THE GEARS DIDN'T SHIFT LIKE USUAL. DRIVING LONG DISTANCES IT DOESN'T DO THIS UNTIL YOU'RE DRIVING AND STOPPING EVERY SO OFTEN. SOMETIMES TURNING INTO A PLACE THE ENGINE WOULDN'T GO AND ALMOST CAUSED CRASHES.

NHTSA ID
11155414
Incident
Sep 8, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 19, 2018

TAKATA RECALL WIRE HARNESS AND BACK SEAT BELT NOT WORKING ,LOCKING IN MOTION

NHTSA ID
11112305
Incident
Jul 8, 2018
Mileage
15 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 21, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11102945
Incident
Jun 15, 2018
Mileage
75,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED ALONG THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE HAD SPREAD TO THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRACTURE COULD IMPEDE VISIBILITY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID
11002852
Incident
Jun 12, 2017
Mileage
98,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE EQUIPPED WITH COPPER MASTERCRAFT MC440 TIRES, SIZE: 225/60/R16 (NA). UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS SENT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE BUBBLE WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE TIRE THAT WOULD CONFIRM THE BUBBLE WAS CAUSED BY AN IMPACT. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ID
10980923
Incident
Apr 24, 2017
Mileage
86,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE WHILE THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

NHTSA ID
10979751
Incident
Mar 14, 2017
Mileage
126,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD SEPARATED FROM THE SUB STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH EXPOSED THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE DASHBOARD WOULD MOVE BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY CAUSING AN INJURY OR DEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THAT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10967438
Incident
May 1, 2013
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 19, 2017

THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOP WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE AND NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM DRIVING. THE GAS GAUGE HAS STOP WORKING I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR I HAVE TO FILL THE TANK AND CHECK IT EVERY TWO WEEKS SO I WILL NOT RUN OUT OF GAS.

NHTSA ID
10967038
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
62,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 27, 2017

THREE OF FOUR TIRES PURCHASED HAD A BELT SEPARATION - ONE LOST A SIZEABLE PIECE OF TREAD. THIS OCCURRED OVER A SPAN OF THREE MONTHS.

NHTSA ID
10957227
Incident
Feb 24, 2017
Mileage
101,577 mi
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Dec 21, 2016

J & K MITCHELL CASEY, IL.62420 PURCHASED ON 4/11/2014, 98,104 MILEAGE. HEADLAMPS GO OFF AT NITE DRIVING, VERY UNNERVING, FUEL GAGE, HAYWIRE FROM THE START, WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. SWAYING/SUSPENSION, WHEN TURNING, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, REPORTED THIS MANY TIMES AND TAKEN INTO DEALER..HOWEVER, NEVER TAKEN CARE OF. ONLY THING FIXED WAS SOLENOID. *TR

NHTSA ID
10936638
Incident
Apr 11, 2014
Mileage
98,139 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 14, 2016

FUEL GAGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN NEEDLE GETS BETWEEN HALF AND A QUARTER, IT BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH FROM EMPTY TO FULL. THEN AT A QUARTER FULL, IT GOES TO EMPTY AND STAYS THERE. YOU ARE NEVER SURE HOW MUCH GAS YOU REALLY HAVE AND CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP SUDDENLY.HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND STILL ON ALL ROADS.

NHTSA ID
10935306
Incident
Dec 14, 2016
Mileage
65,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 6, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ID
10930123
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
67,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2016

BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURED IN MY DRIVEWAY. ALL OTHER LINES SEEM LIKELY TO FAIL AS WELL. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING FOR ME AS A CONSUMER BECAUSE MANY OTHER CARS LIKE THIS DRIVE AROUND EVERYDAY. I FEEL FORTUNATE I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH NOT TO GET HURT.

NHTSA ID
10897479
Incident
Jun 15, 2016
Mileage
240,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 25, 2016

FRONT CALIPERS DO NOT FULLY ENGAGE AND THE "CHECK STABILITY CONTROL" WARNING OCCURS, MAKING TURNING/BRAKING RATHER CHALLENGING. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR RANDOM. IT DOES NEED THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR AND NOT SURE IF THE SENSOR IS CAUSING THIS ISSUES AS WELL. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR A DEFINITIVE PATTERN.

NHTSA ID
10870897
Incident
May 25, 2016
Mileage
90,000 mi
Filed May 4, 2016

DASHBOARD SEPARATED. I MENTIONED TO DEALER WHEN I PURCHASED IN 2009. THEY PUSHED TOGETHER BUT IT CAME UNDONE.I HAVE A COVER OVER DASH SO AS NOT TO SEE SEPARATION. MY CONCERN IS MY AIRBAGS. WILL THIS CAUSE A DANGER TO ANNEARLY DEPLOYMENT. WAS NOT CONCERNED PRIOR TO RECALL OF AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ID
10863177
Incident
May 2, 2009
Filed Apr 27, 2016

DASH PANEL IS SEPARATING--COULD CAUSE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY

NHTSA ID
10861910
Incident
Apr 26, 2016

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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