2001 Buick Lesabre Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 9%of 328 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Buick Lesabre, 9% of the 328 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2001 Buick Lesabre/transmission tore up 2007/I have talked with several other people and they told me that this should not have happened. I have always had my car serviced regularly/complete service everytime/all fluids. I have had to have it rebuilt at a cost of $1200.00. A car such as this is not considered to be old at today's standards and for a transmission to tear up completely-to say the least I have questions.”
NHTSA complaint #10188939, filed 2007-04, 112,000 miles“On my 2001 Buick Lesabre, the transmission went out. Since we had an extended warranty, they are replacing it with a used transmission, which is a concern since I do not know how many miles it will have on it. In any event, I do not think a transmission should go out at 50,000 miles, and since it had other problems which caused it to end up at the dealership, I am concerned taking it any distance. The reason I purchased a Buick was reliability, but it has been the most unreliable car I have owned (I am 53), and I have never had a transmission go out and have owned cars since I was 18.”
NHTSA complaint #10104954, filed 2005-01, 52,000 miles“Car has twice shutoff during driving. Last time in middle of turn, son ran off road because steering wheel was locked. It is not included in any GM recall for the ignition switch, but symptoms are identical. Dealer has no idea how to repair except to 'try' things. Problem is, if guess is wrong and problem persists, serious accident could happen.”
NHTSA complaint #10790036, filed 2015-11, 102,000 miles“Rear window regulator have malfunctioned for 3rd time in both rear windows. Oil leaking from valve/heads causing smoke under hood. Door controls shorted out,and electrical problems causing doors to lock and unlock without cause and switching from driver1 to driver2 and back while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10512045, filed 2013-05, 214,000 miles“Buick lost the bbb decision and did not perform within the 40 days allotted to replace the car. The car has multiple safety defects (air bag, transmission, braking) that the bbb said could cause serious bodily injury or death. They want to buy back the car and inspect it so it can be resold.”
NHTSA complaint #10016185, filed 2003-04, 22,069 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 10% |
| 2004 | 12 | 7% |
| 2003 | 18 | 11% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 9% |
| 2000 | 24 | 4% |
| 1999 | 15 | 7% |
| 1998 | 20 | 5% |
| 1997 | 33 | 8% |
| 1996 | 6 | 6% |
| 1995 | 8 | 4% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1993 | 33 | 17% |
| 1992 | 20 | 11% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2001 Buick Lesabre
101 complaintsBody and structure
50 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSeats
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Buick Lesabre
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology