2002 Buick Lesabre: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2002 Buick Lesabre? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 321 complaints, with Visibility as the top reported area.
2002 Buick Lesabre Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2002 Buick Lesabre.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2002 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 2002 Buick Lesabre has 321 owner complaints, 15 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Visibility. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Buick
- Model
- Lesabre
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 321
- Crash-related complaints
- 15
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Visibility
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Most Common 2002 Buick Lesabre Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Visibility
Structural Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Complaint patterns center on Visibility, Structural Problems, Airbag Malfunctions. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2002 Buick Lesabre?
The 2002 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 2002 Buick Lesabre
Inspection Focus
- Inspect visibility components such as windshield, wipers, and defroster for proper operation.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components like airbags and structural parts.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported problem areas.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect visibility components such as windshield, wipers, and defroster for proper operation.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components like airbags and structural parts.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported problem areas.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 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 2002 Buick LeSabre are concentrated in visibility issues, with 118 reports, followed by structural problems and airbag malfunctions. The data suggests potential concerns with windshield or wiper systems, but the low confidence level means these patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
- Visibility complaints account for the largest share of reported issues.
- Structural problems and airbag malfunctions are also frequently mentioned.
- Crash-related complaints are relatively low at 15 out of 321 total complaints.
- Visibility
- Structural Problems
- Airbag Malfunctions
All 2002 Buick Lesabre Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Buick Lesabre. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 118 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 52 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 38 | 11 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 35 | — | 9 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 26 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 20 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | — | 3 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air | 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 2002 Buick Lesabre. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 …
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.
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 L…
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
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 …
THE HEATED SEATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT.
WAS DRIVING AND AS I PULLED TO REDLIGHT VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS BUT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM THE MOTOR
WINDOW MOTOR HAS GONE OUT NUMEROUS TIMES ON FRONT 2 WINDOWS AND HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED.LAST TIME DRIVERS SIDE WAS REPAIRED WAS 4-17-2014.THAT WAS 3RD REPAIR .HAS SINCE BROKEN AGAIN BUT I DID NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN. BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL OPEN WHILE ON INTERSTATE 2 YEARS AGO. …
DROVE CAR 0.2 MILES PARKED CAR WENT INTO WALMART CAR WAS SEEN SMOKING IN PARKING LOT ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE FIRE DEPT CAME TALKED TO AUTO SHOP THEY SAID IT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS YEAR OF VEHICLE MANY TIMES DUE TO A MANUFACTURER ISSUE
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PED…
ON STARTUP THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED BREAKING THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND CATCHING THE ENGINE ON FIRE
12-1-10 86587M, BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 1-21-15 119486M, RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, FRACTURED EYE SOCKETS, AND HEAD INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FIL…
GOT. INTO A. ACCIDENT ON 6 /9/2017 I WAS TRAVELING 35 TO37 MLS. PER HOUR A DARK BLUE VAN TRIED TO GO BEFORE ME COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY COMING TOWARDS ME SHE TURN IN FOUNT OF ME I HIT HER ON PASSAGE SIDE OF VAN IT WAS A MAJOR ACCIDENT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WE WERE ON PERKINS ST OF…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED - WARMING UP AT IDLE - IN 4 DEGREE F OUTSIDE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE - HAVING BEEN IN HIGH WIND CONTAINING SANDY DIRT PARTICLES OVERNIGHT - VEHICLE UNOCCUPIED - STATIONARY IN RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. *TR
CAR PARKED IN HOME DRIVEWAY UNOCCUPIED, SITTING STILL, RUNNING TO WARM UP IN VERY COLD AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE (5 DEGREES F. SIDE AIR BAGS ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED DAMAGING THE SEATS AND INTERIOR TRIM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL AND COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA …
DRIVING VEHICLE ON ROAD IN SUBDIVISION WHEN GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL STRIKING A GARAGE DOOR AND WALL WITH GREAT IMPACT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. CAR WAS TOTALED. NO ELSE IN CAR. *TR
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE BUICK WAS TOTALED BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND AN SUV MADE A SHORT LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF HIM AND HER DRIVERS SIDE COLLIDED WITH HIS ENTIRE FRONT END.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Buick Lesabre.
2002 Buick Lesabre Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Buick Lesabre. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2002 Buick Lesabre Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Buick Lesabre reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 321 owner complaints, 15 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 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 2002 Buick Lesabre?▾
#1: Visibility (118 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (52 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (38 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Buick Lesabre?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Buick Lesabre?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Buick Lesabre, NHTSA complaints include 15 crash-related reports and 12 fire reports out of 321 total complaints. 19 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Buick Lesabre. A major recall area is STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Buick Lesabre?▾
The 2002 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 2002 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.