2002 Buick Lesabre recalls and problems

The 2002 Buick Lesabre has 2 safety recalls and 310 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Buick dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
310
Crashes / fires
15 / 12
Injuries / deaths
18 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Buick Lesabre vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Buick Lesabre recalls

Recall 02V-222: Air Bags

Reported Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.

Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.

Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

Recall 02V-067: Steering

Reported Mar 6, 2002 · 249 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles were built with missing or under-torqued steering gear attachment bolts. If a bolt is missing, the driver may notice uneven steering response or unusual noises during turns.

Risk: If the left bolt is missing and the right mounting strap fails, steering control is lost and a vehicle crash could result.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for presence and proper torque of both steering gear bolts. Owner notification began april 5, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300 or cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.

2002 Buick Lesabre problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Visibility117
Structure51
Air Bags37
Electrical System24
Engine and Engine Cooling19
Engine16
Steering13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
Power Train13
Unknown or Other11
Tires9
Vehicle Speed Control8

Most reported parts

  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 82
  • Structure › Body — 10
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 9
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 8
  • Structure › Body › Trunk Lid — 6
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 6
  • Visibility › Windshield — 4
  • Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 60,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Buick Lesabre complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Tires · reported Aug 19, 2026
On May 2, 2026, I received a letter by mail from Kumho Tires regarding a set of tires that I purchased, in December 2023; DOT # 2222 and 2223, size, 225/60 R16 98T. In their letter they state that tires with DOT #'s ranging from 0421-0523 were recalled. They go on to state the following: tires ranging with DOT #'s 0421-0523 were "non compliant" and "it is possible that an affected tire could fail in a manner that may lead to a loss of control that could increase the risk of a crash without warning". They then concluded by stating I was entitled to a full refund given that I responded to their…
Engine · at 200,000 miles · reported Jan 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle smoke was present coming from under the hood and a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Upon inspection it was determined the engine valve cover was faulty and oil had leaked onto the exhaust manifold. The local dealer wallingford buick located at 1122 old north colony rd, wallingford, ct 06492 and the manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Service Brakes · at 100,000 miles · reported Nov 27, 2020
The frame of my car fell out while I was driving on a high way after I had already reported the problem and had been denied services to get it fixed.
Service Brakes · at 200,000 miles · reported Aug 20, 2020
When I was getting ready to stop, I took my foot off of the gas pedal and was moving my foot over to the brake, the car suddenly speed up; I had to step on the brake extra hard to stop it. This has happened to me more than once. It doesn't happen all the time. I had one parking lot accident because of this issue.
Seats · reported May 15, 2019
Cpsc: the heated seat in my vehicle has burned a hole through the seat. The consumer stated the manufacturer was notified but, did not offer any assistance.

Other Buick Lesabre years

Compare all Buick Lesabre years · All Buick models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Buick Lesabre: 02V-222 (air bags), 02V-067 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Buick Lesabre?

Owners report visibility problems most often (117 reports), followed by structure (51). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 60,000 miles.

Are Buick recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Buick dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.