2004 Buick Lesabre Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 7%of 162 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,497miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Buick Lesabre, 7% of the 162 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,497 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.
“My 2004 Buick Lesabre keeps losing power while I am driving. This is the 4th incident in 2 months! The vehicle dies and the power steering locks. This is a dangerous situation as I was on hwy 190 and there is major work being done. I was driving over a bridge and their are barriers on both sides of the highway. Each time the incident occurs I get a crank but no start. My vehicle is then towed to a mechanic and I've been told that the crank shaft sensor and ignition module are bad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10693121, filed 2015-03, 131,000 miles“Engine started to make noise like stuck valve lifter it keeps getting louder and louder dealer checked and found flywheel cracked' replaced same about two years later the same thing occurred with another flywheel replacement. Sounds like this could break apart and possibly injure someone.”
NHTSA complaint #10268398, filed 2009-05, 62,000 miles“Very common know problem of the 4t65e transmission equipped in these cars is a pressure control solenoid and/or the shift solenoids fail prematurely due to a poorly constructed parts. A service bulletin has been issued by manufacturer warning of the problem and to use a much more superior part to replace the bad ones. This happens across a number of vehicles and GM refuses to recall said part even after knowing it is a failed part. The problem it causes is the transmission goes into high pressure mode and causes hard up shifts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10607251, filed 2014-07, 130,000 miles“Within the passed 2 months I have been experiencing hard shifts . Very pronounced jolt/jerk when accelerating after a full stop or decelerating to come to a stop. Just researched on this site and found many other consumers with 2004 Lesabre's experiencing same situation. Has to do with inferior pressure control solenoid and/or shift solenoids. Apparently GM has refused to recall and replace due to the cost. Can cause premature failure of transmission and they say they are under no obligation to make it right!!! Also have had problems with speedometer and tachcometer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10846233, filed 2016-03, 75,000 miles“Drove to the store, transmission was hard shifting and then wouldn't hardly move at all. Almost got hit three x!! Very tramatized. How is it that on just one of many web pages 400 people had this problem 140 complained about it! that's just one website! how has this problem not been fixed and recalled?”
NHTSA complaint #11437729, filed 2021-10Related 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.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 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…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 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 2004 Buick Lesabre
66 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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