VehicleVerdict

2002 Buick LeSabre problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 380 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 13.3 times the median LeSabre year — the 2002 model ranks #5 of 36 LeSabre years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 120 reports (32% of the total).

380

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other LeSabre years?

LeSabre NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted849 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 1 complaints1972: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 7 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 53 complaints1988: 22 complaints1989: 35 complaints1990: 75 complaints1991: 46 complaints1992: 245 complaints1993: 264 complaints1994: 220 complaints1995: 235 complaints1996: 121 complaints1997: 514 complaints1998: 518 complaints1999: 268 complaints2000: 849 complaints2001: 460 complaints2002: 380 complaints2003: 209 complaints2004: 212 complaints2005: 95 complaints2006: 4 complaints
LeSabre NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LeSabre years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Buick LeSabre problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers12032%
Body & Structure5113%
Airbags3710%
Engine359%
Electrical System257%
Brakes185%
Other164%
Tires & Wheels144%
Steering133%
Transmission133%
Fuel System113%
Speed Control82%
Suspension62%
Seats62%
Lighting51%
Seat Belts21%

Does the 2002 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

02V222000AirbagsAugust 9, 2002 · 133,221 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

02V067000SteeringMarch 6, 2002 · 249 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE LEFT BOLT IS MISSING AND THE RIGHT MOUNTING STRAP FAILS, STEERING CONTROL IS LOST AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“10-18-07 WENT OUT TO CHECK WINDOWS BEFORE STORM AND NOTICED RIGHT SIDE REAR WINDOW WAS DOWN SLIGHTLY. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT UP I FOUND THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAD FAILED AND JUST LET THE WINDOW DROP. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE TO FAIL THIS MONTH. FIRST ONE FAILURE 10-3-07 THIS IS PLAINLY A FACTORY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 18, 2007

“THE DASHBOARD PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD APPROX. 3/4" AND NOW IS GETTING WIDER TO ABOUT 2" AND IS EXTENDING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTO THE PASSENGER AREA. WE ARE AFRAID THAT DUST WILL GET IN THERE AND MAKE GAUGES MALFUNCTION, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY UNNECESSARILY. IT ALSO LOOKS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 29, 2012

“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS HIT ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR, DRIVER DOOR WAS PENETRATED 8-10 INCHES. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED BRUISED KIDNEY AND MULTIPLE INJURIES ON LEFT SIDE OF BODY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. TS MANUFACTURER NOT WILLING TO DO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 11, 2002 · crash

“MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2002 BUICK LESABRE FROM HIS APARTMENT (LESS THAN A MILE) AND ARRIVED AT SCHOOL (XAVIER UNIVERSITY-CINCINNATI, OH). HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THE CABIN. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND JUMP OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 25, 2014 · fire

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, HIT A DITCH AND RAN INTO A TREE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT IT WAS SNOWING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A SECOND BEFORE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 17, 2006 · crash

2002 Buick LeSabre — common questions

Is the 2002 Buick LeSabre reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 380 complaints put the 2002 model at #5 of 36 LeSabre years. It is one of the LeSabre years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 LeSabre problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (120 complaints), body & structure (51 complaints), airbags (37 complaints).

Does the 2002 Buick LeSabre have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Buick LeSabre. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Buick LeSabre under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick LeSabre years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LeSabre years to avoid are 2000, 1998, 1997, 2001, 2002, 1999, 1993, 1992, 1995, 1994, 2004, 2003, 1996, 2005, 1990, 1987, 1991. The cleanest record among LeSabre years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.