2001 Buick Lesabre: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2001 Buick Lesabre? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 340 complaints, with Visibility as the top reported area.
2001 Buick Lesabre Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2001 Buick Lesabre.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2001 Buick Lesabre Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2001 Buick Lesabre has 340 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Visibility. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Buick
- Model
- Lesabre
- Model year
- 2001
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 340
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Visibility
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Most Common 2001 Buick Lesabre Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Visibility
Structural Problems
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Visibility, Structural Problems, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2001 Buick Lesabre?
The 2001 Buick Lesabre shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2001 Buick Lesabre
Inspection Focus
- Inspect visibility components such as windshield, wipers, and mirrors.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for structural, engine, and electrical systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect visibility components such as windshield, wipers, and mirrors.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for structural, engine, and electrical systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2001 Buick Lesabre, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2001 Buick LeSabre are concentrated in visibility issues, with 103 reports, followed by structural problems and engine concerns. Crash-related complaints are relatively low at 10 out of 340 total complaints. The data suggests potential problem areas but does not confirm defects.
- Visibility complaints account for the largest share of reported issues.
- Structural problems and engine issues are the next most common complaint categories.
- There are no recalls for this model year.
- Visibility
- Structural Problems
- Engine Problems
All 2001 Buick Lesabre Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Buick Lesabre. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 103 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 50 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 48 | — | 14 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 39 | — | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 33 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 29 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 29 | 7 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 17 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 16 | — | 2 | — | |
| Brake System | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 10 | — | 2 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 10 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | — | 3 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Buick Lesabre. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Turned the key in ignition just past click and heard a loud bang in engine under hood. I looked under the car and seen flames. Within 18 minutes the whole car was in totally on fire. The volunteer fire department came and put it out. We did a search on the internet and discovered…
The contact owned a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator without warning. The contact stated that a black smoke began to emit from the engine as he was able to pull into an independent mech…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE SAW SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WAS UP IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HER HUSBAND TURNED THE IGNITION ON, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WHEN HE LIFT THE HOOD, IT WAS E…
TL* THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS, WHEN HIS FATHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE BATTERY WHEN ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE IGNITED WITHOUT WARNING UNDER THE HOOD AFTER THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COVER FOR THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL SYSTEM HAD FLOWN OFF. THE FIR…
THE CAR WAS OFF AND PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED ON, A LARGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, SAW THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE SO…
THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 3800 SERIES ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. FAMILY MEMBER OWNED A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH IDENTICAL ENGINE WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE HE WAS DRIVING HOME FOR WORK. GM SETTLED WITH THEM FOR A RECALL THAT WAS…
I BOUGHT A CAR ON JUNE 17TH I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR SO I TOLD THE WOMAN I BOUGHT IT FROM I WANTED IT INSPECTED BEFORE I MADE A DECISION TO BUY IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE SHE BROUGHT IT TO HER INSPECTION STATION IN IT GOT IN INSPECTION STICKER STATING THER…
I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR TO GO TO WORK AND I HEARD A BACKFIRE, MY HUSBAND CAME OUT WONDERING WHAT THAT BANG WAS. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD. HE POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND FLAMES CAME SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE CLOSED THE HOOD TO SMOT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE IT MADE A POPPING SOUND AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. MOMENTARILY THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE …
REAR WINDOW FALLS DOWN. KNOWN PROBLEM IN BUCKS. VERY COSTLY TEMPORARY FIX AS WINDOW WILL NOT STAY UP FOR LONG AND WILL FALL DOWN AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME FROM SCHOOL IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER AFTER THE WINDOW FELL DOWN. BUICK AND GOVERNMENT PROTECTION AGENCY SHO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…
THERE WAS AN OIL SMELL WHILE MY CAR WAS RUNNING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DEFROST STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MY MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE AND IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THIS LEAK WAS FIXED. I LEFT …
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. SEVERE HESITATION AND LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE REPLACED THE 3 IGNITION COILS, THE IGNITION MODULE, NEW SPARK PLUGS, AND A WIRE SET. I HAVE BEEN READING ALOT ABOUT FIRES ON THIS SITE. YESTERDAY 7/7/16 WHEN I CAME HOME THERE WAS A LOUD WEERING SOUND, AND…
REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND SENDER BECAUSE OF ERRATIC LEVELS 6 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM ARROSE
DASH PEELING UP AT WINDSHIELD ON DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT HALF WAY TO PASSENGERS SIDE
OUR BUICK HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE, BUT WENT TO MOVE IT ONE MORNING. WITH A COLD ENGINE, AS SOON AS WE HIT THE STARTER, THE ENGINE EXPLODED VERY LOUDLY AND STARTED BURNING. AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD, ALONG WITH THE FUEL LINES HAD E…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT T…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS LIFTING INDEPENDENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLINER WAS TEARING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAG…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2001 Buick Lesabre.
2001 Buick Lesabre Recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2001 Buick Lesabre. No recall campaigns are currently listed for this model year in the dataset, but VIN-level recall checks are still essential. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.
2001 Buick Lesabre Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2001 Buick Lesabre reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 340 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2001 Buick Lesabre shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Buick Lesabre?▾
#1: Visibility (103 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (50 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (48 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Buick Lesabre?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2001 Buick Lesabre?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2001 Buick Lesabre, NHTSA complaints include 10 crash-related reports and 22 fire reports out of 340 total complaints. 14 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2001 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2001 Buick Lesabre in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2001 Buick Lesabre?▾
The 2001 Buick Lesabre shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Visibility during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Buick Lesabre reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2001 Buick Lesabre based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.