2004 Buick Lesabre Electrical Problems

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

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

NHTSA ID

11112305

Incident

Jul 8, 2018

Mileage

15 mi

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

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

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

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DURING MY 20 MINUTE COMMUTE DURING THE WINTER, I HAD THE SEAT HEATER ON IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. IT FELT UNUSUALLY WARM BUT I WAS EXTREMELY COLD AND LEFT IT ON. AS I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR MY HUSBAND ASKED "WHAT'S THAT SMELL"? HE LOOKED AT THE SEAT AND THERE WAS A QUARTER SIZE SINGE HOLE WHERE THE HEATER COIL BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER, HE THEN TURNED ME AROUND AND LOOKED AT THE BACK OF MY WOOL COAT- THERE WAS A CORRESPONDING HOLE IN THE NEW WOOL COAT THAT I HAD JUST BOUGHT. I AM ASKING FOR THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE COAT- $180.

NHTSA ID

10764673

Incident

Feb 16, 2015

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AT ALL POSITIONS. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCESSORY POSITION, IT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID

10731764

Incident

Jan 6, 2015

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED FROM EMPTY TO FULL, BUT NEVER FULLY DISPLAYED THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,718. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 10/29/15.*JB UPDATED 03/29/16.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD ALWAYS INDICATE IT WAS FULL. HOWEVER, THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. UPDATED 05/17/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10725611

Incident

Jun 10, 2015

Mileage

95,718 mi

WHILE DRIVING HOME MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I GOT HOME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOW IN THE 6 POSITION ON A CLOCK. NOW I HAVE NO IDEA IF THERE IS ANY FUEL IN THE CAR OR NOT. LUCKILY I RESET THE TRIP METER WITH EVERY FUEL UP SO I KNOW I CAN GO APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES. ALTHOUGH IN THE WINTER WHEN WE HAVE TO IDLE OUR CAR SO THE FUEL MILEAGE GOES DOWN AND I DO NOT GET AS MANY MILES ON A TANK. HOPE I DON'T RUN OUT OF FUEL DURING THE WINTER. IN READING ONLINE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE IT TURNS OUT IT CAN GET WORSE AND CAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER TO STOP WORKING. THEN I MAY BE SPEEDING AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. I DID TRY AND HAVE IT FIXED BUT THE GUY CHARGED ME $207 AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. AT THE LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FOR $350.

NHTSA ID

10717774

Incident

May 21, 2015

Mileage

75,146 mi

AT 68,000 MILES AND IN THE MONTH OF JULY 2014 MY BUICK LESABRE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING....THE HANDS DO NOT MOVE AT ALL.....I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM DRIVING WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE DEATH....THIS IS A NUMBER ONE COMPLAINT OF THIS CAR AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE IM DEAD! I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS BECAUSE I AM ON DISABILITY....THIS IS AN URGENT MATTER THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY! *TR

NHTSA ID

10676644

Incident

Jul 1, 2014

Mileage

68,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWS 90. SOMETIMES STAYS ON 0 NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I AM DRIVING. I SPOKE TO A DEALER AND HE INDICATED THAT IT MAY BE THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND WOULD COST ABOUT $400 TO $500. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITUATION, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10604952

Incident

Jun 9, 2014

Mileage

62,496 mi

AT APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. IT WILL EITHER SAY FULL OR EMPTY NO INBETWEEN. IT IS NOT ACCURATE NOR IS THE LOW FUEL LIGHT. TO GET IT FIXED I HAD IT ESTIMATED AT AROUND $600..... JUST ANOTHER REASON NOT TO BUY A AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10598672

Incident

Jun 14, 2012

Mileage

90,000 mi

2004 SILVERADO & 2004 BUICK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BOTH VEHICLES NEED A NEW CLUSTER AND THE NEEDLE ON THE MILE INDICATOR IS AT 120. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED FOR TWO YEARS. ALSO, HE HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST HE WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED HAVING BOTH VEHICLES REPAIRED, WOULD COST $1000.00 *JB

NHTSA ID

10595091

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SPEEDOMETER WOULD INCREASE TO AS HIGH AS 90 MPH WITH NO INCREASE FROM DRIVER. THIS HAS BEEN REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES OVER LAST YEAR OF OPERATION. ALSO GAS GAUGE INFO HAS MAXED OR BOTTOMED OUT. I CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM BY REMOVING AND REINSTALLING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUSE UNDER THE BACK SEAT. WHEN THIS IS DONE YOU CAN HEAR SOMETHING UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL RESET. DEPENDING ON THE LOCAL TEMPERATURE I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GO UP TO 3 MONTHS BEFORE HAVING TO REPEAT THIS SEQUENCE. NOW THE A/C IS PUTTING OUT COOL AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE VENTS ONLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10587913

Incident

May 12, 2014

Mileage

96,687 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEPPER MOTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 87,300.

NHTSA ID

10579088

Incident

Apr 7, 2014

Mileage

87,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TURNING OR WHEN A ROAD BUMP WAS DRIVEN OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ANTI-THEFT MODULE AND THE KEY WAS REPROGRAMMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,744 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ID

10569296

Incident

May 1, 2013

Mileage

23,744 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH PREVENTED HER FROM SEEING ANY OF THE GAUGES. 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 145,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10568691

Incident

Jun 5, 2013

Mileage

145,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY 2004 LESABRE IN 2005. APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD REGISTER 120 WHEN I WAS MOVING OR WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED OR PARKED. I SPOKE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER BUT AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE GAS GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAVE A DEBILITATING DISEASE AND CANNOT EVEN PUMP MY OWN GAS. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I HAD TO TRY AND WALK TO A GAS STATION. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL!! HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE?? I LOVE MY CAR BUT MAY HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS GM'S RESPONSIBILITY. I AM SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. I AM ALSO SURE THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE NOT REPORTED. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10567388

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

Mileage

34,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,500.

NHTSA ID

10563837

Incident

Oct 9, 2013

Mileage

55,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY RECENTLY PURCHASED 2004 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED AT 60 MPH, MY SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY WENT TO 95 MPH AND TACHOMETER WENT TO 1500 AND WILL NOT MOVE.. EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER STAYS AT 95 MPH AND 1500 RPM RESPECTIVELY. DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH CLUSTERS AND STEPPER MOTORS. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 80K MILES, BUT I HAVE READ WHERE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED AT AS LITTLE AS 20K MILES. COMPLETELY UNFAIR THAT GM MAKES YOU RELY ON HEADS UP DISPLAY FOR A SPEED.. VERY UNSAFE I FEEL BECAUSE THIS DRAWS YOUR EYES FROM ROAD CONSTANTLY. *JS

NHTSA ID

10545442

Incident

Aug 15, 2013

Mileage

79,000 mi

MY SPEEDOMETER OR RPM OR FUEL GAUGES DO NOT WORK THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY WHAT CAN WE DO TO FIX THIS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10537144

Incident

Aug 25, 2013

SPEEDOMETER READING INTERMITTENTLY AT LEAST 20 MPH LOWER THAN ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED ON HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10493817

Incident

Jan 17, 2013

Mileage

86,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON MAY 11, 2012. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES WERE LEAKING. UPDATED 06/06/12. *JB

NHTSA ID

10453591

Incident

Mar 23, 2012

Mileage

92,994 mi

I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, IN 2009. THE WEATHER WAS COLD, AND I ATTRIBUTED IT'S DISFUNCTION TO THE COLD. THEN THE OTHER GAUGES STARTED TO SHOW MALFUNCTION. WHEN IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT NONE OF THE GAUGES WERE CORRECT, I WENT TO TWO GM DEALERS AND RECEIVED NO CONCERN FROM EITHER OF THEM. THEY DID NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY KNEW OF A PROBLEM. I HAD TO PAY $400 TO REPLACE THE DASH CLUSTER. ABOUT THIS TIME I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET REGARDING THE RELAY RESISTOR OR WIRING CONNECTOR ON MY SILVERADO, SAYING THEY COULD OVERHEAT AND THE HVAC BLOWER MIGHT NOT FUNCTION. I WAS GIVEN 10 YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST, TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED IF NECESSARY. I CALLED GM AND ASKED WHY THEY WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TRUCK BUT WOULD NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM WITH THE BUICK. AGAIN, NO CONCERN WAS SHOWN. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO WAS IN THE PHILIPPINES! WHY WOULD SHE CARE? WE'RE ASKEDTO BUY AMERICAN, BUT WE HAVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE IN THE PHILIPPINES WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM! ALSO, I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS, ALL OF THEM, INSIDE AND OUT. COULDN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY I'VE HAD TO CHANGE! AT THE PRESENT TIME, WE HAVE NO RADIO AND HEATER LIGHTS. GOODBYE GM, HELLO HONDA! *TR

NHTSA ID

10444953

Incident

Jan 16, 2012

AS WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN A BACK ROAD AT ABOUT 35MPH, I NOTICED THAT MY DASH SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 85MPH. IT SEEMED LIKE THE GAUGE WOULD GO UP, BUT WOULD NOT COME BACK DOWN. LUCKILY, I HAVE A HEADS-UP DISPLAY THAT HAS ALWAYS SHOWN THE CORRECT SPEED. LATER, MOST OF THE REST OF MY DASH GAUGES BEGAN RANDOMLY DOING THE SAME THING -- THEY'D GO UP, BUT NOT COME BACK DOWN. THE ONLY GAUGE THAT SEEMED UNAFFECTED WAS MY FUEL GAUGE -- UNTIL LAST WEEK. IT, TOO, IS DOING THE SAME THING. I'M SEEING LOTS OF WEB ADS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WHICH MEANS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS, SINCE, IF I RUN OUT OF GAS ON A MAJOR ROAD DURING ICY WEATHER (WHICH WE HAVE MUCH OF THE YEAR HERE IN WISCONSIN), IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. IF THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, IT'S NOT A RANDOM CHANCE FAILURE -- IT'S A DEFECT IN DESIGN, MATERIALS OR "WORKMANSHIP" (WHICH INCLUDES AUTOMATED PROCESSES). PLEASE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ID

10439213

Incident

Mar 13, 2010

Mileage

46,000 mi