Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Electrical system

2001 Buick Lesabre Electrical problems

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2001 Buick Lesabre's electrical system with NHTSA - 12% of all its complaints, most recently on November 12, 2015. They describe 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Electrical complaints

SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Car has twice shutoff during driving. Last time in middle of turn, son ran off road because steering wheel was locked. It is not included in any gm recall for the ignition switch, but symptoms are identical. Dealer has no idea how to repair except to 'try' things. Problem is, if guess is wrong and problem persists, serious accident could happen.

Filed Incident Steering · Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 10790036
Electrical system

Several times beginning in approximately march 2015, my car began to stall while at signal. One time the car quit while driving. The ignition does not work properly, sometimes it will turn the car over to start, other times it will not. I did not know about the recall. I purchased my buick at a lien sale. I am worried the car may have the problem indicated in the recall. I had two mechanics check the battery (replaced) alternator (tested good) and they checked fuel injection and air intake. The problem continues to happen. I would sincerely appreciate it if a general motors dealer could please check my car. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10726455
Electrical systemAirbags

I have had to replace all four power window motors, the dash is coming apart and is raised blocking some visibility and potentially affecting the air bag deployment in an accident. In addition, it seems to me that braking vibration / pulsation has been a problem on all five of my buick lesabres

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10716364
Electrical systemBody, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

All 4 windows have failed. One of them twice! My dashboard is separating exactly the same way many others have described theirs. I initially had major battery issues (battery is located under back seat on driver's side - how weird is that?). I would drive my car to the store, come out, and it would not start. One time, I opened the trunk to get my jumper cables and when I slammed the trunk lid, the radio came on! Then, of course, the car started just fine. After owning this possessed car with major reliability...

Read the full complaint

issues for several months, we found an electrical mechanic who discovered a lose wire in the manufacturers electrical work which was somehow connected to the battery. My gas gauge hasn't worked in years. I am always at 3/4 to a full tank. This is otherwise a great car, but I am seriously disappointed that buick will not stand behind some of these repeat problems, especially the electric motors for the windows and that horrible plastic part that continues to break. Somebody from buick should read these complaints and do something. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10701286
SteeringElectrical systemWheels & tires

2001 Buick lesabre. Consumer writes in regards to defective tires . *Tgw according to the invoice, the power steering pump and alternator drive belt were replaced. *Jb the consumer stated the tires on the vehicle separated and caused damage to the vehicle. Updated 04/08/15*jb updated 04/19/16*lj the consumer only provided the manufacturer of the tire, tbc corp. However, did not provide the tire line/brand of tire. Updated 05/04/16. *Jb

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · TiresNHTSA 10638954
Electrical system

When I try to start some times it wont start I have to play with the key for 10 min I don't get any power at all I can here the fuel pump turn on and nothing happens then starts I play with it starts right up then the other thing I notice is when it rains it makes an awful squealing noise. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10627324
Electrical systemAirbagsBody, doors & structure

Dashboard top is separating and buckling in area between steering wheel and windshield. It started slowly when I first purchased the car and has progressively gotten worse with time. While researching the problem, I found this to be a common issue. I'm worried that as the dashboard separation gets worse, it will affect the passenger air bag and/or vehicle electronics in the dashboard area leading to an accident. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10597086
Electrical systemFire

Battery would not hold charge. Had a new computer put in. Did not help. Had a new alternator installed. Did not help. Car caught on fire after about a year of trying to find the cause. Fire marshall said the fuse box shorted and caught the insulation on fire which burned the fuel line into. Car is no longer a problem. Totally gone. Fire was so intense it melted the engine. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10563573
Electrical systemAirbagsBody, doors & structure

The dash board is seperating at the seams all the way to the air bags. It may lead to possible air bag deployement on passenger side. Please fix this could lead to a very serious accident I communte on a daily basis with my two son 6 and 10. Please do a recall on this vehicle someone could be serious injured please help! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10554356
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemVisibility & wipersEngine & cooling

Rear window regulator have malfunctioned for 3rd time in both rear windows. Oil leaking from valve/heads causing smoke under hood. Door controls shorted out,and electrical problems causing doors to lock and unlock without cause and switching from driver1 to driver2 and back while driving. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Visibility · EngineNHTSA 10512045
Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

The windows of this car are undependable. In case of accident defective motors regulators do not work. All four windows are a problem. This is a safety issue as you would not be able to exit by a window if need be. This is a problem with many of the buick lesabre 2001. Buick manufacturing will not admit that there is a problem with their windows. Buick states that the cars are past warranty and therefore will not do any thing about it. I include these two sites as evidence to this fact and how wide spread this...

Read the full complaint

problem is. Http://googleads.G.Doubleclick.Net/pagead/ads?Client=ca-pub-6617098213423805&output=html&h=90&slotname=7952013016&w=728&lmt=1358582400&flash=11.4.402.265&Url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.Aboutautomobile.Com%2fcomplaint%2f2001%2fbuick%2flesabre%2fpower%2bwindow&dt=1358997446843&bpp=16&shv=r20130122&jsv=r20121214&prev_slotnames=6969891371&correlator=1358997446734&frm=20&adk=1032090657&ga_vid=657897228.1358997064&Ga_sid=1358997064&ga_hid=919312188&ga_fc=1&u_tz=-360&u_his=6&u_java=1&u_h=768&u_w=1280&u_ah=738&u_aw=1280&u_cd=32&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&dff=arial&dfs=12&adx=265&ady=1015&biw=1259&bih=644&oid=3&ref=http%3a%2f%2fwww.Google.Com%2furl%3fsa%3dt%26rct%3dj%26q%3d%26esrc%3ds%26frm%3d1%26source%3dweb%26cd%3d5%26ved%3d0cfgqfjae%26url%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.Aboutautomobile.Com%252fcomplaint%252f2001%252fbuick%252flesabre%252fpower%252bwindow%26ei%3djqqaubwzhsbh0wgf_iggda%26usg%3dafqjcnep6ywawyzgkeyutplih1jjfuubhg%26sig2%3dvlpverp_xpobzytn06rika&docm=8&fu=0&ifi=2&dtd=94&xpc=dgpdfquzhd&p=http%3a//www.Aboutautomobile.Com http://www.Carcomplaints.Com/buick/lesabre/2001/windows_windshield/power_window_stopped_working.Shtml. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · VisibilityNHTSA 10494523
Engine & coolingFuel systemElectrical systemVisibility & wipers

Passenger window would not go up july 2011. One week later left rear passenger window would not function. February 2012 right rear window failed. April 2012 left rear window would not go down. Fortunately, it was under warranty. So far, the windows have cost me $735.00 In less than a year. Catalytic converter rattles a lot in morning when car is cold. Only a matter of time before it will need to be replaced. Was told by aamco can be replaced at buick's expense, but have not been able to confirm this. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical system · VisibilityNHTSA 10456536
Electrical systemEquipment & accessories

I left my window open for about five minutes during a rain storm and the left side buttons on my steering wheel controlling music only works pressing the bottom of the switches. The top of the switches have no result: therfore I lost my scanning the stations as well as seek downwards. Now 2 months later without any water contact I am now losing my am/fm mode button unless I press like I want to kill it. The window switches for the left rear have now died and I am being told I need to pay for a reset of that left...

Read the full complaint

rear door module and then the switch should work ok. What is gm thinking of, making their switches less waterproof than 50 years ago, and why should I have to pay if it is a computer reset. Thanks for no help!, Gm. *Kb

Filed Incident Electrical system · EquipmentNHTSA 10419756
Electrical system

Rear window does not work, motor is good, switches are good, regulator is good. What gm is telling me is that the door module has lost its program and I need to go to them to reset this at a cost of $125. They don't know why it could have lost the program, but it is quite popular. Just come in and spend money and it "might" work again. Are you kidding? Otherwise after the $125 I will have to pay $250 for a new module and they will be kind enough to reset the new one for free. After a $375 plus tax payment! *Kb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10419753
Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

2007 The right rear passenger window kept on going down on its own. Had a mechanic rip out floor board and found a defective electrical harness, wire exposed causing ground out. He learned this from a gm mechanic who said it was a know issue. Problem was fixed. 2009 Now the same window went down. All windows except drivers will not function, automatic door locks will not work, and when I drive at nite I can see the lights on the passenger side door flicker on for about 10 seconds, again another electrical issue? *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · VisibilityNHTSA 10292618
Electrical system

When the vehicle was purchased, the left rear window regulator was not working. The previous owner said she had a mechanic "fix" it so it would not fall down, as dealer wanted $500. She also said she had replaced the right passenger window regulator. Since I have had it (about a year), the right rear regulator has quit. I also paid a mechanic to "fix" it so it wouldn't fall down. We do not use the back seat. This is a major problem with lesabres through 4-5 years, yet buick/gm refuses to issue a recall, only a sb on how to repair it. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10248731
Electrical system

I bought my 2001 lesabre new and have had an issue with the heat in the radio and cruise controls and system both in the dash and on the steering wheel. It has always been excessively hot. When I asked about this heat in the controls at the dealership, I was simply informed that nothing could be done. It has been this way every day. The dealer did replace the steering wheel cruise control button; but, that did not eliminate the heat. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10248082
Electrical system

Just purchased this vehicle in florida and drove it back to massachusetts. While tuning in the radio, I noticed that the radio/cassette area was "hot", very hot....I shut the radio off and continued to monitor the radio section by feeling it. It stayed hot! The radio components on the steering wheel was also hot but not as bad as the radio section itself. What could be wrong with this? I have been checking the buick lesabre recalls but have not found any. Certainly this problem is not ok. I have never felt any...

Read the full complaint

radio in any car "hot" - and I really mean "hot". I will be taking this car immediately to a buick dealer. Please let me know if you have any information on this. This is a buick lesabre - 2001 with 25000 miles. The older couple that owned it rarely used it and probably never used the radio therefore never noticed the problem. Thank you. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10245030
Electrical system

Window motors on all four doors have quit working over the past 3 years. We have three replaced and now two more are broken for a grand total of five window motors. Local dealer has become useless on this matter and neither gm nor the buick division have responded to multiple inquiries. We have always tried to support american made products, especially gm. The percived "we don't care" attitude has definately changed our thought process about our future vehicle purchases.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10191748
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemSeats & seat beltsLights

Automatic transmission failed at 65000 miles after having already been repaired once. Initially extended warranty company tried to blame me for the failure but after dealer disassembled transmission for inspection it was covered. Also, have had numerous problems with lights on the dashboard, radio and steering wheel constantly failing, 2 windows have failed in the open position, the drivers side heated seat stopped working at 50,000 miles. The only thing that has not been fixed is the heated seat. Dealer says it costs too much to fix. I bought the best extended warranty the dealer offered and still have to fight to get things fixed. This is the last time I buy american. *Jb

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Seats · Interior lightingNHTSA 10156455
Electrical system

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled while idling and eventually failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer five or six times because it would not start. Once a year, for the last three years, the battery and alternator were replaced. Currently, the vehicle will not start and the dealership determined the battery and alternator need to be replaced again.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10154785
Electrical system

Dt*: the contact stated the rear brake, hazard warning and signal lights are inoperable. The dealership was alerted but no appointment has been made.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10152872
Electrical systemEquipment & accessories

Electrical system failure wont start, cant roll windows when you put the key in the ingniton said driver unkown, lights come on, but radio wont, play , good battery had it tested. Wont jump start nor can you lock car with key but sytem security light is on when doors are shut no interior light comes on . Side door may have gotten wet when window was down, already had a side door module put in. Had own star in the car but havent had it reactivate, dont know if it could cause system failure . Driving a renting car...

Read the full complaint

now , when left for a long periods of time car will reset itself and sart. Took to car dealer and was inform that car had to not be working to test. Tried to sart this moring after not starting for 24hours and towed to the dealer this moring theyare still working on car and its been three days now cant find anyting worng with it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EquipmentNHTSA 10129703
SteeringEngine & coolingFuel systemTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemLightsVisibility & wipersBody, doors & structureAcceleration & cruise control

2001 Buick lesabre experienced the following problems: cruise control would not set, automatic transmission had no reverse ability, water leaking from the coolant pump, ses light illuminated, left rear brake light.***No answer required*** *mr there was a whistling sound coming from around the window area due to a revealing molding piece, the steering felt funny and was noisy when turning, there was also a clunk in the steering, there was excessive play in the right and left tie rod end, the left rear brake...

Read the full complaint

light was out, the right rear center bulb was out, the original battery had leaked acid causing a hole in floor under the back seat, the light switch stuck in the on position, and the right front marker light out. The power steering pump was replaced. *Sc *jb

Filed Incident Steering · Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Power train · Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility · Structure · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10124783
Electrical system

Between 5/24/02 and 3/14/05 vehicle loses complete electrical power. Five trips to dealer has failed to identify or correct problem I called the gm customer service rep on 3/30/05. She stated that gm doesn't recognizethis issue as being a problem. She suggested I take the key out of ignition as solution. This was not an issue until my last visit to the dealer and I reported that it appears my vehicle loses power only when I let the key in ignition. My argument is that there is nothing in the owner's manuel...

Read the full complaint

that states the key must be removed, so long as the key is not left in the accessory mode, and if not, there must be a defective ignition. The gm rep, myka skinner, ph 866-952-4368 ext. 58735. Dealer name: lynn chevrolet, buick, ph 800-883-3141, svc rep. Christopher hudson. I have three other cars parked in my garage, none of which looses power the way my 2001 buick lesabre does. This is very obviously a vehicle defect which gm does not want to recognize and repair even though the vehicle was still under warranty when the problem was first reported to the dealer. Please help !*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10116741

Buick Lesabre electrical complaints by year

Lesabre electrical problems, every year

Had a electrical problem with your 2001 Lesabre? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience