2002 Buick Lesabre Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 310 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,874miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Buick Lesabre, 4% of the 310 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,874 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Whatever illuminates the gearshift position is sometimes too dull to make out the letters. This is a potential safety problem. I have contacted the manufacturer, but they refer me to the dealer. The dealer has been unable to identify the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10043317, filed 2003-10, 15,000 miles“When we first bought my Buick back in 2002 we have had tranny problems with noises and hesitation. We took it back to the dealership and they replaced the valvebody. That didn't help the noise but it helped the hesitation. The noise is a whining noise in first and second gear but when you get in third it goes away. That is due to a bad sun gear. Which ultimately LED to the destruction of my transmission. We tried to get the dealership to help us but they just said it was due to normal wear and tear (typical dealer doesn't want to take responsibility). …”
NHTSA complaint #10237606, filed 2008-08, 79,324 miles“While driving my daughter to a school event on a busy highway, my 2002 Buick le sabre's speed started slowing down. Pressing the gas pedal did not speed up the car. Realizing that something was not right, I panicked but was able to steer the car through traffic and finally stall at an exit ramp. I tried to restart the car again but it did not want to start. My first thought was that the car was out of gas even though the fuel gage showed the car did have gas. Thinking that the problem was still a gas issue, I called a friend to bring some gas. …”
NHTSA complaint #10093337, filed 2004-09, 50,000 miles“-the contact stated that while driving his 2002 Buick le sabre (failure mileage: 60000) at 25 MPH the vehicle began to hesitate. When applying the accelerator the vehicle hesitates and didn't seem to increase speed. Updated 02/16/07.”
NHTSA complaint #10178922, filed 2007-01, 65,000 miles“While driving, the consumer noticed the vehicle would not gain any speed when the accelerator was applied. The vehicle would jerk into gear or perform erratically. Please provide details.”
NHTSA complaint #10074181, filed 2004-06, 56,000 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 2002 Buick Lesabre
118 complaintsBody and structure
51 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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