2003 Buick Lesabre Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 164 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Buick Lesabre, 3% of the 164 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“While driving on a 40mph road, the engine spontaneously lost power - the power steering and brakes also ceased to function as a result. The radio and lights were still on. After guiding the stricken car to a safe area, I turned the engine back on and was able to drive as normal. The issue repeated roughly a week later at lower speed while going over a speed-hump in a shopping center parking lot. Note: the issue occurred following the addition of apartment and mail keys to the keyring. I separated the additional keys from the car's key following the second incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10617806, filed 2014-07, 75,200 miles“The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about my and my family safely”
NHTSA complaint #11661927, filed 2025-05“The contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. The contact drove over a pot hold and the swerved off the road as it became difficult to control the vehicle. On one occasion, the vehicle went off the road and crashed into a mailbox. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000 and the current mileage was 37,107. Updated 01/13/11 the consumer also stated the dashboard is peeling. Updated 04.19.11”
NHTSA complaint #10358498, filed 2010-09, 29,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the inflater device in the steering column needed to be replaced. She stated that in the event of a crash, the air bag would not deploy. She has had the part replaced, but Buick does not feel that this is a safety issue. The contact hears an occasional squeaking noise when turning the steering wheel. The speed was unknown. The failure mileage was 17,000 and current mileage was 20,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10200439, filed 2007-08, 17,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 5% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 3% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 29 | 9% |
| 2000 | 47 | 7% |
| 1999 | 8 | 4% |
| 1998 | 15 | 4% |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% |
| 1994 | 9 | 6% |
| 1993 | 8 | 4% |
| 1992 | 4 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 4 | 9% |
| 1989 | 2 | 7% |
| 1988 | 12 | 57% |
| 1987 | 15 | 38% |
| 1986 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Buick Lesabre
57 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsFuel system
6 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