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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2005 Buick Lesabre Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
10%of 77 total for the year
Median mileage
48,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Buick Lesabre, 10% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 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.

“At approximately 24,000 miles I started feeling a harder than normal shift between second and third gears. By the time the odometer reached 26,000 miles the shift was somewhat severe with a pause between second and third. I took the car to the local dealer who supposedly installed some type of kit which did not eliminate but greatly reduced the problem. I now have 37,000 miles on the car and the problem is getting progressively worse once again as well as hard shifting between first and second and sometimes when I shift from drive to reverse while the car is not moving. …”

NHTSA complaint #10229422, filed 2008-05, 24,000 miles

“Took vehicle with 55,100 miles to the authorized GM dealer after shuttering and barely beginning to move while driving in traffic. The authorized GM dealer stated inspected, no codes in system, erratic shift points, delay shift thru 1st and 2nd gear, no 3rd gear, goes to 4th gear. Recommends srta trans (3yr/100,000 warranty) $3782.64.”

NHTSA complaint #10485879, filed 2012-11, 55,100 miles

“Dt: consumer stopped on an incline waiting on a traffic light and discovered when removing foot off the brakes vehicle rolled back. Consumer put vehicle in first and second gears and it still rolled back. This only occurred on inclines. Had not been to dealer, no repairs were done. . Called dealer service department, and they said there was nothing they could do. Consumer used onstar and the diagnostic module and they found that nothing was wrong with the engine, and instructed consumer to call dealership. Had not contacted manufacturer.”

NHTSA complaint #10132100, filed 2005-09, 16,500 miles

“(1) started as intermittent problem when engine was cold and car was stationary - stepping on accelerator resulted in no motion followed by car lurching/jerking into first gear; the problem became more repeatable over a three year time period; just prior to failure, the car would shake and make noise when accelerating from a stop and when coming to a stop; at failure, the car would not move (forward or in reverse) (2) complete failure of automatic transmission - surprising because auto only had 22,300 miles on it when the transmission failed (3) replaced transmission”

NHTSA complaint #10128820, filed 2005-07, 22,900 miles

“The contact owns a 2005 Buick Lesabre. While driving between 45-50 MPH, the vehicle shook excessively. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent transmission shop and the technician stated that the failure was contributed to the inner wear in the transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 84,892 and current mileage was 86,000. Updated 8/28/09 updated 09/09/09”

NHTSA complaint #10279722, filed 2009-08, 84,892 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005810%
2004127%
20031811%
2002134%
2001319%
2000244%
1999157%
1998205%
1997338%
199666%
199584%
199443%
19933317%
19922011%
199127%
199024%
198927%
198725%
198616%

Other parts of the 2005 Buick Lesabre

Electrical system
25 complaints
Brakes
9 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Tires
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Buick Lesabre

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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