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Electrical system

2004 Buick Lesabre Electrical problems

Owners have filed 66 complaints about the 2004 Buick Lesabre's electrical system with NHTSA - 41% of all its complaints, most recently on June 13, 2024. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
66
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Electrical complaints

Electrical system

The backup camera will stay in 'night' brightness mode for 15 seconds while backing out of the garage into daylight. This makes the video screen usless until the 15 second delay is over. I have asked several times at the dealership since I purchased this vehicle new, and they say nothing can be done. Not only is this a huge safety issue but it also is an enviromental issue as may times I must wait in the driveway with the car needlessly idling until the 15 seconds is up. This is seems to be a simple software update to remove the delay when the car is in reverse.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11594152
Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Takata recall wire harness and back seat belt not working ,locking in motion

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11112305
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the dashboard fractured along the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the fracture had spread to the center of the dashboard. The contact was concerned that the fracture could impede visibility. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer were contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11002852
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the dashboard separated from the sub structure of the vehicle, which exposed the air bags. The contact stated that while driving the dashboard would move backwards and forwards. The contact was concerned that the air bags could inadvertently deploy causing an injury or death. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The contact was informed by the dealer that they were unaware of that failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10967438
Electrical systemFuel system

The gauges in the instrument panel stop working. The speedometer has stopped working I am driving a vehicle and not know how fast I am driving. The gas gauge has stop working I don't know how much gas is in my car I have to fill the tank and check it every two weeks so I will not run out of gas.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10967038
Fuel systemElectrical systemLights

J & k mitchell casey, il.62420 Purchased on 4/11/2014, 98,104 mileage. Headlamps go off at nite driving, very unnerving, fuel gage, haywire from the start, while driving, engine would accelerate when turning right. Swaying/suspension, when turning, driving down the road, reported this many times and taken into dealer..However, never taken care of. Only thing fixed was solenoid. *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10936638
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10930123
Electrical systemSeats & seat belts

Driving home from work during my 20 minute commute during the winter, I had the seat heater on in the drivers seat. It felt unusually warm but I was extremely cold and left it on. As I was getting out of the car my husband asked "what's that smell"? He looked at the seat and there was a quarter size singe hole where the heater coil burned through the leather, he then turned me around and looked at the back of my wool coat- there was a corresponding hole in the new wool coat that I had just bought. I am asking for the replacement for the coat- $180.

Filed Incident Electrical system · SeatsNHTSA 10764673
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the key could be removed from the ignition at all positions. When the key was removed from the ignition, the engine continued to operate. When the key was removed from the accessory position, it caused the battery to fail. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10731764
Fuel systemElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. While driving at 25 mph, the engine overheated. The contact also stated that the vehicle fuel gauge fluctuated from empty to full, but never fully displayed the correct amount of fuel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,718. Updated 8/10/15*cn the fuel sending...

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unit was replaced twice. Updated 10/29/15.*Jb updated 03/29/16.*Jb the consumer stated the fuel gauge would always indicate it was full. However, the low fuel light would illuminate. Updated 05/17/16.*Jb

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10725611
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlFuel system

While driving home my fuel gauge stopped working. When I got home I turned the car off and then back on and the fuel gauge was now in the 6 position on a clock. Now I have no idea if there is any fuel in the car or not. Luckily I reset the trip meter with every fuel up so I know I can go approximately 300 miles. Although in the winter when we have to idle our car so the fuel mileage goes down and I do not get as many miles on a tank. Hope I don't run out of fuel during the winter. In reading online...

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reviews about this issue it turns out it can get worse and cause the speedometer to stop working. Then I may be speeding and not even know it. I did try and have it fixed but the guy charged me $207 and it did not fix the problem. At the local gm dealership they said they would repair it for $350.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10717774
Electrical system

At 68,000 miles and in the month of july 2014 my buick lesabre speedometer and tachometer stopped working....The hands do not move at all.....I do not know how fast I am driving which is dangerous and can cause death....This is a number one complaint of this car and it should be recalled before im dead! I cannot afford the repairs because I am on disability....This is an urgent matter that need to be taken care of immediately! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10676644
Electrical system

While driving at approximately 45 mph, the speedometer shows 90. Sometimes stays on 0 no matter what speed I am driving. I spoke to a dealer and he indicated that it may be the gauge cluster and would cost about $400 to $500. With all the complaints on this situation, why is there not a recall. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10604952
Electrical system

At approximately 80,000 miles my fuel gauge stopped working. It will either say full or empty no inbetween. It is not accurate nor is the low fuel light. To get it fixed I had it estimated at around $600..... Just another reason not to buy a american made vehicle. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10598672
Electrical system

2004 Silverado & 2004 buick. Consumer writes in regards to both vehicles need a new cluster and the needle on the mile indicator is at 120. *Smd the consumer stated the gas gauge has not worked for two years. Also, he had no idea how fast he was driving. The consumer stated having both vehicles repaired, would cost $1000.00 *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10595091
Electrical system

While driving approximately 45 mph, speedometer would increase to as high as 90 mph with no increase from driver. This has been repeated several times over last year of operation. Also gas gauge info has maxed or bottomed out. I can fix this problem by removing and reinstalling the instrument panel fuse under the back seat. When this is done you can hear something under the instrument panel reset. Depending on the local temperature I might be able to go up to 3 months before having to repeat this sequence. Now the a/c is putting out cool air on the passenger side vents only. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10587913
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the the entire instrument panel became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a an independent mechanic who stated that the stepper motors needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 87,300.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10579088
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled numerous times while turning or when a road bump was driven over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer advised that the anti-theft system was causing the failure. The dealer replaced the anti-theft module and the key was reprogrammed however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number:14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 23,744 and the approximate current mileage was 25,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10569296
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned, which prevented her from seeing any of the gauges. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000. The current mileage was 150,000. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10568691
Electrical system

I purchased my 2004 lesabre in 2005. Approximately 3 years ago, the speedometer would register 120 when I was moving or when the car was stopped or parked. I spoke to my mechanic and he told me that it was an expensive repair. I am a very conservative driver but am very concerned about the speedometer and the gas gauge not functioning. I have a debilitating disease and cannot even pump my own gas. What would happen if I had to try and walk to a gas station. I do not understand why this is not a recall!! How...

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many complaints does it take?? I love my car but may have to spend a lot of money to fix a problem that is gm's responsibility. I am shocked at the amount of complaints about this very problem. I am also sure that there are many more not reported. Please do something!! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10567388
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the speedometer and fuel gauge displayed inaccurate readings. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 55,500.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10563837
Electrical system

While driving my recently purchased 2004 buick lesabre limited at 60 mph, my speedometer suddenly went to 95 mph and tachometer went to 1500 and will not move.. Even when vehicle is turned off the speedometer and tachometer stays at 95 mph and 1500 rpm respectively. Did a little research and discovered a major problem with clusters and stepper motors. My car has less than 80k miles, but I have read where this problem has occured at as little as 20k miles. Completely unfair that gm makes you rely on heads up display for a speed.. Very unsafe I feel because this draws your eyes from road constantly. *Js

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10545442
Electrical system

My speedometer or rpm or fuel gauges do not work this is not safe for me and my family what can we do to fix this? *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10537144
Electrical system

Speedometer reading intermittently at least 20 mph lower than actual vehicle speed on highway. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10493817
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick lesabre. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact noticed that the speedometer was functioning erratically. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic advised the contact that the instrument cluster would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 06/05/12*lj the consumer stated the problem happened again on may 11, 2012. According to the invoice, the transmission cooler lines were leaking. Updated 06/06/12. *Jb

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 10453591

Buick Lesabre electrical complaints by year

Lesabre electrical problems, every year

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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

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