Home › Buick › LeSabre › 2002
2002 Buick LeSabre: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 310 owner complaints on file for the 2002 LeSabre, and the largest group is about visibility[1][2]. It also has two recalls, one for the driver air bag inflator and one for steering gear bolts[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 310 complaints for this model year[1]. Fifteen mention a crash, 12 a fire and 18 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility[2] | 115 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure[7] | 51 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Air Bags[8] | 37 | 11 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine[9] | 34 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Electrical System[10] | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes[11] | 18 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering[12] | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train[13] | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
We read a small sample of 12 complaints for each of four groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.
- Visibility. Owners describe the dash reflecting off the windshield (4 of 12)[2], wiper failures (2 of 12)[2] and rear or side windows that broke or dropped into the door (3 of 12)[2]. Median mileage for the group is 53,250[2].
- Structure. Owners describe a dashboard cover lifting or separating from the dash (7 of 12)[7] and a trunk lid that falls down after it is opened, with some people hurt (5 of 12)[7].
- Air Bags. In the sample, 7 of 12 owners say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[8]. Three describe an air bag warning light or horn trouble[8].
- Engine. Owners describe coolant or oil leaks at the intake manifold or gaskets, or a cracked manifold (6 of 12)[9], and stalling or hard starting (3 of 12)[9].
The other groups were small, so we do not draw themes from them[10][11][12][13].
Recalls
NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year, newest first[5].
- Driver air bag inflator (02V222). Dated August 9, 2002[3]. The inflator on the driver's side could crack at a weld when the bag goes off. Pieces could hit people in the car, and the bag might not fill fully. Dealers inspect the driver's side module and replace it if necessary. Up to 133,221 units were potentially affected, across several kinds of vehicles[3].
- Steering gear bolts (02V067). Dated March 6, 2002[4]. Some cars were built with missing or loose steering gear bolts. A missing bolt can cause uneven steering or noises in turns. A missing left bolt combined with a failed right mounting strap could leave the driver without steering control. Dealers check that both bolts are present and tightened properly. About 249 vehicles were potentially affected[4].
Fuel economy
EPA rates the 3.8L 6-cylinder with an Automatic 4-spd, front-wheel drive and regular fuel at 17 MPG city, 27 highway and 21 combined[6]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,200[6]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not rated this car in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[14].
Engine and size
The EPA listing is for a 3.8L 6-cylinder engine[6]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan Custom/Limited and can differ slightly from US models[15].
How 2002 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 178 | 1 |
| 1996 | 98 | 2 |
| 1997 | 394 | 2 |
| 1998 | 400 | 1 |
| 1999 | 209 | 2 |
| 2000 | 669 | 5 |
| 2001 | 328 | 0 |
| 2002 | 310 | 2 |
| 2003 | 164 | 1 |
| 2004 | 162 | 0 |
| 2005 | 77 | 0 |
NHTSA lists 310 complaints and 2 recalls for 2002[5]. Among the 11 LeSabre model years in the data, four have more complaints: 2000 (669), 1998 (400), 1997 (394) and 2001 (328)[5]. Six have fewer: 1999 (209), 1995 (178), 2003 (164), 2004 (162), 1996 (98) and 2005 (77)[5].
For recalls, 2000 has 5[5]. The years 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2002 each have 2[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show reporting, not failure rates.
Should you buy a used 2002 LeSabre?
The 310 complaints put 2002 in the middle of the pack for this model line[5]. The biggest group is visibility, which has no reported crashes or injuries[2]. Air bag complaints are fewer, but they carry 11 crashes and 7 injuries, so ask about the air bag system and the recall status[8][3]. Engine complaints include 9 fires, and owners in our sample describe manifold and coolant leaks, so a check for leaks is sensible[9]. Check that both recalls were done, and keep the $3,200 yearly fuel estimate in mind[3][4][6].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick LeSabre?
- Visibility has the most NHTSA complaints at 115, followed by Structure at 51, Air Bags at 37 and Engine at 34[2][7][8][9].
- Does the 2002 Buick LeSabre have any recalls?
- Yes, two. 02V222 covers the driver air bag inflator and 02V067 covers steering gear bolts[3][4].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2002 Buick LeSabre?
- EPA rates the 3.8L 6-cylinder at 17 city, 27 highway and 21 combined MPG[6].
- Which LeSabre model year has the fewest complaints?
- Among the years listed, 2005 has the fewest at 77 complaints[5]. The 2002 model has 310[5].
- How did NHTSA rate the 2002 LeSabre for safety?
- It is not rated in the 5-Star program[14].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 310 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Buick LeSabre (15 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 18 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 115 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 02V222, filed August 9, 2002: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V067, filed March 6, 2002: Steering › Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion). NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Buick LeSabre model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for LeSabre, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 51 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,370). NHTSA vehicle records
- 34 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 9 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,874). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,165). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,874). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LESABRE 4DR SEDAN CUSTOM/LIMITED: length 200 in, width 74 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,567 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov