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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Buick Lesabre Electrical system Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
9%of 164 total for the year
Median mileage
60,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Buick Lesabre, 9% of the 164 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 miles

“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 miles

“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

“Small lights burn out excessively and cost a fortune to have replaced. Examples steering wheel button lights, climate control id (green) lights, tail lights on trunk lid.”

NHTSA complaint #10169477, filed 2006-09, 15,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20052532%
20046641%
2003159%
2002248%
20013812%
20008713%
19992813%
19985013%
19974211%
19961414%
19952212%
19942415%
19932513%
19922111%
19911033%
19901226%
198927%
1988210%
1987718%
1984120%

Other parts of the 2003 Buick Lesabre

Body and structure
57 complaints
Air bags
21 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
Brakes
14 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Engine
8 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints
Suspension
7 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Buick Lesabre

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology