Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Buick Lesabre

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 212 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V222000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
133,221
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-09
Owners notified
2002-08-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure3960,000 mi
Air bags1789,000 mi
Structure: body1567,000 mi
Unknown or other1254,000 mi
Electrical system1160,000 mi
Power train1176,000 mi
Engine876,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls725,000 mi
Suspension68,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip512,440 mi
Steering529,000 mi
Tires532,000 mi
Vehicle speed control5130,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission447,692 mi
Service brakes440,000 mi
Air bags: frontal323,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system350,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe350,400 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Fuel system, gasoline373 mi
Visibility325,000 mi
Visibility/wiper355,000 mi
Electrical system: horn2—
Engine and engine cooling246,333 mi
Seats212,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic21,902 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid260,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module173,490 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash11,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine176,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch150,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal167 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings136,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings115,350 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch11,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines136,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1800 mi
Power train: driveline18,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint110 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc127,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor127,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: column117,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front136,000 mi
Tires: sidewall129,500 mi
Tires: tread/belt127,140 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear171,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer11,500 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.