Does the 2002 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Buick Lesabre, the most recent reported on August 9, 2002 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick Lesabre?

Owners have filed 310 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (115 complaints), followed by structure (51).

How many 2002 Buick Lesabre complaints mention a crash or fire?

15 of 310 complaints report a crash and 12 a fire; 18 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Buick Lesabre recalls and problems

2 recalls and 310 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Buick Lesabre.

recalls

310

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Buick Lesabre recalls

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 02V222000 · reported August 9, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 133,221 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

NHTSA campaign 02V067000 · reported March 6, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 249 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: If the left bolt is missing and the right mounting strap fails, steering control is lost and a vehicle crash could result.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Visibility115
Structure51
Air bags37
Electrical system24
Engine and engine cooling18
Engine16
Power train13
Service brakes, hydraulic13
Steering13
Unknown or other11

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 19, 2026 · 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…

Jan 15, 2021 · Engine · 200,000 miles · fire reported
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…

Nov 27, 2020 · Service brakes · 100,000 miles
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.

Aug 20, 2020 · Service brakes · 200,000 miles · crash reported
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.

May 15, 2019 · Seats · fire reported
CPSC: THE HEATED SEAT IN MY VEHICLE HAS BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

Lesabre model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	5	669	26	30
2001	0	328	10	22
2002	2	310	15	12
2003	1	164	9	4
2004	0	162	4	5
2005	0	77	6	3

Across all years, the 2000 Lesabre has the most complaints (669). All Buick Lesabre years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Buick Lesabre, the most recent reported on August 9, 2002 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick Lesabre?: Owners have filed 310 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is visibility (115 complaints), followed by structure (51).
How many 2002 Buick Lesabre complaints mention a crash or fire?: 15 of 310 complaints report a crash and 12 a fire; 18 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 19, 2026.