RoadVitals

2005 Buick Lesabre

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
77
Latest Oct 28, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 77 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Buick Lesabre, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and tires & wheels categories. 530 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical2527.5%
  • Brakes99.9%
  • Tires & wheels66.6%
  • Engine66.6%
  • Suspension55.5%
  • Airbags55.5%
  • Fuel system55.5%
  • Transmission55.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel systemTires & wheels
Filed Oct 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fuel gauge sensors failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the fuel gauge sensor failed to provide adequate information regarding the fuel level. The fuel warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, there was an abnormal humming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front driver’s side hub bearing had failed to function as intended. The contact had replaced the hub bearing three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,647.

NHTSA ID
11696076
Incident
Oct 28, 2002
Mileage
92,647 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 2022

Fuel gauge false reading. Hard shift's

NHTSA ID
11493412
Incident
Nov 14, 2022
Engine
Filed May 14, 2021

ENGINE INTAKE GASKET FAILURE

NHTSA ID
11416635
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 30, 2021

THE TRANSMISSION RARELY SLIPS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I MUST PULL OVER SHIFT OFF THE VEHICLE AND START IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
11390782
Incident
Jan 24, 2021
Mileage
92,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 2, 2020

THE HEADLIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING. IT IS NOT THE BULB AS THE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I LOCK OR UNLOCK THE CAR USING THE FOB. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE HEADLIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING, THIS WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. I JUST HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP TWO MONTHS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT I CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT AS I HAVE NO LIGHTS AND CAN'T KEEP TAKING IT TO THE SHOP AND PAYING OUT MONEY EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11306523
Incident
Jan 20, 2020
Mileage
175,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES APPEARED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS FOR THE CONTACT'S SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BROWN & WOOD INC. (329 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC 27834, (252) 227-0948) WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER REPAIR INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

NHTSA ID
11246648
Incident
Aug 23, 2017
Mileage
59,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2019

FAILURE OF STEPPER MOTORS IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.

NHTSA ID
11191205
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
26,523 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 9, 2017

MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON OR WOULD GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING . I HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. A PRELIMINARY RECALL NOTICE CAME TO ME TELLING ME TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON, UNTIL THEY FIGURED OUT THE ISSUE. AFTER ABOUT 6 TO 9 MONTHS THEY ISSUED A RECALL. THEY INDICATED IT WAS A "MODULE", I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE MODULE REPLACED. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK IN AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND SAID THAT THE MODULE WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH CONNECTIONS INSIDE THE MODULE / FUSE BOX. HE SAID IT WAS A BOX ISSUE AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $500 FOR A NEW BOX. PLEASE NOTE, NO DAMAGE OR TAMPERING HAS EVER DONE ON SAID BOX. THIS DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME. HE SAID HE WAS SORRY AND TRIED TO GIVE ME A "BREAK" ON THE PRICE. I DID NOT DESIGN THE BOX, I JUST OWN THE CAR WITH THE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT WORK UNLESS YOU PUT ON THE HIGH BEAMS. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME.

NHTSA ID
10953674
Incident
Feb 2, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

PIP5358D

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 call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Lesabre by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013000
2006300
2005Viewing770040.3
20041620036.7
20031641040.9
20023092154.7
20013280143.0
20006685258.9
19992092362.2
19984001253.9
19973942259.5
1996982256.1
19951781046.7
19941580042.1
19931941253.8
19921892364.2
1991301148.9
1990461151.0
1989273054.4
1988214352.7
1987405966.8
19861631158.2
1985514
1984524
1983101
1982110
1981030
1979120
1978030
1977130
1976020
1975031
1974010
1972010
1971130
1970020
1967010

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.