Model year record

2002 Buick LeSabre recalls & problems

The 2002 Buick LeSabre has 2 safety recalls and 310 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (117 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints310filed by owners

Crashes · fires15 · 12reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths18 · 0reported in complaints

2002 Buick LeSabre in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsAug 9, 2002

Frontal

Recall 02V222000133,221 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Risk: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

SteeringMar 6, 2002

Gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Recall 02V067000249 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.
Risk: IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Buick LeSabre 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2002 Buick LeSabre NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

LeSabre

21mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	117	0	0	0	53,250 mi
StructureBody; Body › Trunk lid	51	0	1	6	71,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	37	11	0	7	75,370 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition › Switch	24	0	1	0	50,874 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	19	0	1	0	42,000 mi
Engine	16	0	8	0	122,000 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Rack and pinion	13	0	0	0	49,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	13	0	0	0	25,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter	13	0	0	0	50,874 mi
Unknown or other	11	0	0	0	57,145 mi
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	9	1	0	1	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	8	1	0	0	107,500 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires
On May 2, 2026, I received a letter by mail from Kumho Tires regarding a set of tires that I purchased, in December 2023; DOT # 2222 and 2223, size, 225/60 R16 98T. In their letter they state that tires with DOT #'s ranging from 0421-0523 were recalled. They go on to state the following: tires ranging with DOT #'s 0421-0523 were "non compliant" and "it is possible that an affected tire could fail in a manner that may lead to a loss of control that could increase the risk of a crash without warning". They then concluded by stating I was entitled to a full refund given that I responded to their letter in 180 days, which I did. However, despite various attempts to contact Kumho tires, I have…
May 2, 2026
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE VALVE COVER WAS FAULTY AND OIL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE LOCAL DEALER WALLINGFORD BUICK LOCATED AT 1122 OLD NORTH COLONY RD, WALLINGFORD, CT 06492 AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Jan 1, 2016 · 200,000 miles
Service brakes
THE FRAME OF MY CAR FELL OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY AFTER I HAD ALREADY REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND HAD BEEN DENIED SERVICES TO GET IT FIXED.
Nov 25, 2020 · 100,000 miles
Service brakesCrash
WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO STOP, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL AND WAS MOVING MY FOOT OVER TO THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPEED UP; I HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKE EXTRA HARD TO STOP IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MORE THAN ONCE. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I HAD ONE PARKING LOT ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.
Aug 14, 2019 · 200,000 miles
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/coolerFire
CPSC: THE HEATED SEAT IN MY VEHICLE HAS BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Jan 7, 2019
Vehicle speed control
IN A SMALL TOWN, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT THE HIGHWAY CROSSROAD WITH 2-3 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND STARTED BRAKING. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY REVVED, I MOVED MY FOOT TO TRY TO RAISE THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR; IT WOULD NOT RAISE. I IMMEDIATELY PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND AS PULLING AS CLOSE TO CURB AS POSSIBLE, I SHUT THE IGNITION OFF, THEN PLACED IN PARK. IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK HOME UNTIL WE CAN DEAL WITH IT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO ACT QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON.
Apr 25, 2019 · 230,000 miles
SeatsFire1 injury
THE HEATED SEATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT.
Jan 11, 2019 · 210,000 miles
Structure › BodyFire
WAS DRIVING AND AS I PULLED TO REDLIGHT VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS BUT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM THE MOTOR
Oct 13, 2018

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosedLed to recall 04V090000
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
EA02030 · opened Oct 22, 2002 · closed Mar 9, 2004