2003 Buick Lesabre Problems
- Complaints
- 164filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 119 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Buick Lesabre (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2003 Buick LeSabre most frequently report the dashboard pad separating and lifting away from the windshield, a problem that progresses gradually from the driver side toward the passenger side. Transmission slipping and electrical stalling complaints are also common. A smaller but notable group of complaints describes window regulators failing and airbag warning lights illuminating.
- Body and structure
Dashboard separating and lifting from windshield
- 60 complaints (37%)
- median 63,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (49 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2004–2020
Complaints describe the dashboard pad delaminating from its attachment channel, beginning near the steering wheel and spreading toward the passenger side, sometimes rising several inches. Owners note the lifted dash obstructs the driver's forward view and raises concerns about interference with the passenger-side airbag housing. According to complaints, dealers typically quoted replacement costs around $1,000 or more and offered no manufacturer assistance. Complaints span a wide mileage range, with several reported under 50,000 miles and others at 80,000 to 100,000 miles; some owners note the separation began early and worsened gradually over years.
What to check: Inspect the top of the dashboard near the windshield on the driver side for any lifting, bubbling, or gaps; ask whether the dashboard has been replaced or reattached, and check that the passenger-side airbag cover sits flush.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Dashboard separation in front of the steering column and it is now separating toward the passenger cabin, it is my concern that this will cause the passenger airbag to deploy while in motion, this started around july of 2011 and I have researched and found numerous other Buick owners with this same complaint down to the minute detail.”
NHTSA complaint #10479591, filed 2012-10, 63,000 miles“My front dashboard has been gradually coming unattached near the windshield. It has gotten so bad that it is hindering my view of the road. It is also a problem for the airbag system.. This is truly a safety hazard and I cannot believe Buick has refused to acknowledge this defect which is affecting so many of their customers. I own two Buick lesabres and it happened to both of them.”
NHTSA complaint #10605208, filed 2014-06, 115,000 miles - Electrical system
Vehicle stalling and electrical faults
- 9 complaints (5%)
- median 15,350 mi at 5.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- filed 2006–2018
Complaints describe the vehicle stalling unexpectedly at low speeds, sometimes requiring a tow before it would restart. Owners also report dashboard and instrument panel lights dimming, brightening, or burning out repeatedly. According to complaints, dealers have replaced sensors, gaskets, and connectors without fully resolving the stalling, and some vehicles were returned unrepaired. Stalling complaints appear across a wide mileage range; one was reported at around 2,000 miles and another at roughly 71,000 miles.
What to check: Check whether any diagnostic trouble codes are stored and ask about the MAF sensor and electrical ground repair history; verify that interior panel lights and instrument cluster lights function consistently.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Small lights burn out excessively and cost a fortune to have replaced. Examples steering wheel button lights, climate control, radio buttons (which cannot be replaced). Replaced multiple times and I have only had the car 4 years.”
NHTSA complaint #10260532, filed 2009-03, 75,843 miles“Instrument panel lights dim and brightened, dash replaced and continued to have the same problem. Driver's door locked all by itself while car was parked with no one inside, only the driver's door locks.”
NHTSA complaint #10190982, filed 2007-05, 1,000 miles - Air bags
Airbag warning light and non-deployment
- 13 complaints (8%)
- median 48,245 mi at 4.6 yrs old (10 state mileage)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2003–2019
Complaints describe the airbag warning light illuminating without an apparent cause, and separately, owners report airbags failing to deploy during collisions. Some complaints connect the airbag concern to the ongoing dashboard separation, noting that wiring and sensors near the passenger airbag housing are exposed as the dash lifts. According to complaints, some vehicles were not diagnosed or repaired. The warning light complaint was reported at around 200,000 miles; the non-deployment complaint occurred during a crash at 150,000 miles.
What to check: Confirm the airbag warning light does not illuminate at startup and then go off abnormally; ask whether the vehicle has ever been in a collision and whether airbags deployed correctly, and check recall 02V222000 completion status.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was hit head on. My vehicle a Buick Lesabre 2003 and the vehicle which hit me, a 2000 chevrolet malibu was totaled. The airbag on my Buick Lesabre did not deploy, thus causing me physical injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10049276, filed 2003-12, 18,714 miles“2003 Buick le sabre. Dashboard is pulling away from the firewall. Electronic parts are exposed. As a result, airbag and other safety sensors and wiring is exposed. There have been reports of airbag deployment. The dash is pulling away toward the passenger side where the airbag is housed. There are many reports of issues on the internet. The dash has pulled away over 2 in the center. It is distracting while driving and if the air bag deploys, it will create an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10632878, filed 2014-09, 88,000 miles
Buying note. The dashboard separation issue is widely reported across this model year and can affect forward visibility and airbag housing integrity, so a careful in-person inspection of the dash is worthwhile before purchase. Prospective buyers should also verify transmission behavior during a test drive and confirm the airbag recall status on the specific vehicle.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 164 consumer complaints for the 2003 Buick Lesabre. 119 of the complaints include a mileage, and 49% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 379 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure57 35%
- Air bags21 13%
- Electrical system15 9.2%
- Brakes14 8.5%
- Other or unknown11 6.7%
- Engine8 4.9%
- Engine cooling8 4.9%
- Suspension7 4.3%
Also reported: Tires (7), Fuel system (6), Exterior lighting (5), Steering (5), Vehicle speed control (5), Seats (3), Electronic stability control (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “My front dashboard has been gradually coming unattached near the windshield. It has gotten so bad that it is hindering my view of the road. My daughter is just learning to drive and we have decided it is not safe for her to use my vehicle because her view of the road is blocked by the lifted dashboard. This is truly a safety hazard and I cannot believe Buick has refused to acknowledge this defect which is affecting so many of their customers.”
NHTSA complaint #10568259, filed 2014-03, 90,410 milesAir bags: “We bought the car december 29,2015, the car had 102,0215, and drove it to the doctor on our way back, the would make a clunking sound from trans-axles, and we notice that the dash board came up and it has hardware screws across the dash as if to hold it down.”
NHTSA complaint #10679870, filed 2015-01, 102,225 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “While driving on i95 in georgia on the way to florida 12-28-08 my 2003 Buick Lesabre transmission started bucking and jolting car as it shifted. Took to garage and it was determined that the torque converter locked up, this car had the transmission oil replaced at recommended 50,000 miles, besides the 2200 dollars to replace transmission we had to get hotel room, meals and a rental car to continue trip as the replacement transmission could not be delivered right away.”
NHTSA complaint #10255107, filed 2009-01, 111,000 milesElectrical system: “I was driving and proceeded to slow down as I did I heard a loud noise I continued driving about 3 miles when I smelled something burning. I stopped for a red light and noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood on the driver side. I pulled into a parking lot where the car proceeded to ignite on fire and burned before the fire department got there. I had no previous problems with car before this incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10238927, filed 2008-08, 73 milesMileage when problems were reported
49% of the 119 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 27,140 and 80,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Buick Lesabre. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesabre · sedan | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Buick Lesabre version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeSabre FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V222000Aug 9, 2002Air bags › FrontalCovers: Buick Lesabre 2002–2003, Oldsmobile Bravada 2002–2003, GMC Envoy 2002–2003 +10 more
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.
Recall details for the 2003 Buick Lesabre → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 379 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 11007744Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007743Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. GM 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 inadequate packaging…
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024Fuel system, Engine. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
Other model years of the Buick Lesabre
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 77 | 52,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 162 | 63,450 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 164 | 50,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 310 | 60,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 328 | 61,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 669 | 59,515 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 209 | 73,353 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 400 | 69,100 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1997 | 394 | 97,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 98 | 92,500 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 178 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 158 | 101,261 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 194 | 109,714 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 189 | 130,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 30 | 93,300 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 46 | 179,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 27 | 101,500 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 21 | 54,122 | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 40 | — | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 16 | — | 2 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Lesabre model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Lesabre?
Owners of the 2003 Buick LeSabre most frequently report the dashboard pad separating and lifting away from the windshield, a problem that progresses gradually from the driver side toward the passenger side. The issues reported most often: Dashboard separating and lifting from windshield; Vehicle stalling and electrical faults; Airbag warning light and non-deployment.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Buick Lesabre have?
NHTSA recorded 164 consumer complaints for the 2003 Buick Lesabre as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Buick Lesabre is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 57 complaints (35% of the total), followed by air bags with 21.
Has the 2003 Buick Lesabre been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick Lesabre get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Buick Lesabre (LeSabre, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 17 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Buick Lesabre reported?
Among the 119 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 27,140 and 80,000 miles; 49% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.