CarBrief

NHTSA has 77 owner complaints on file for the 2005 LeSabre, and its count of recalls for this year is 0[1][2]. That is the lowest complaint count of any LeSabre year listed, but the reports that exist point to the electrical system, brakes and transmission.

77owner complaints[1]
21MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Of the 77 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 5 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are owner reports sent to NHTSA. They are not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Electrical system[4] 25 0 2 0
Brakes[5] 9 3 0 2
Power train[6] 8 0 0 0
Engine[7] 6 0 1 0
Suspension[8] 5 0 0 0
Tires[9] 5 0 0 0
Air bags[10] 5 1 0 2
Speed control[11] 4 1 0 0

Electrical system. This is the largest group, with a median mileage at failure of 53,500[4]. In a sample of 12 of these complaints that we read, 7 describe instrument cluster or gauge faults, mostly a speedometer that reads wrong or stops working[4]. Two describe a horn that is hard to find or press hard[4]. Two of the 25 complaints involve a fire[4].

Brakes. Brakes have fewer complaints, but 3 crashes and 2 injuries[5]. The median mileage at failure is 33,029[5]. In the 9 brake complaints we read, 5 describe a pedal that went soft, dropped to the floor or did not respond well[5]. Two describe rusted rear brake lines[5].

Power train. Owners describe transmission trouble. In the 7 complaints we read, 6 mention hard or delayed shifting, slipping, shaking, or a car that would not move[6]. The median mileage at failure is 48,000, and none of the 8 report a crash, fire or injury[6].

Everything else. Engine has 6 complaints, with 1 fire[7]. Suspension, tires and air bags have 5 each, and speed control has 4[8][9][10][11]. These counts are small, so we do not treat them as common problems.

Recalls

NHTSA's year-by-year count shows 0 recalls on file for the 2005 LeSabre[2]. Our data lists no individual recalls for this year. Keep or remove.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the LeSabre with the 3.8L 6-cylinder engine, a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive at 18 mpg city, 27 highway and 21 combined on regular fuel[3]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,200[3]. That estimate uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

The NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 2005 LeSabre 4-door as not rated[12]. Remove the second and third sentences, or keep only: 'There is no star score to compare[12].'

Engine and size

The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan Custom/Limited and can differ slightly from US models[13]. They were converted from metric units.

Measurement Value
Length[13] 200 in
Width[13] 74 in
Height[13] 57 in
Wheelbase[13] 112 in
Curb weight[13] 3,567 lb

Our data has no horsepower figure for this car. The EPA fuel economy listing is for a 3.8L 6-cylinder engine[3].

How 2005 compares with other years

1995: 178 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 98 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 394 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 400 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 209 complaints, 2 recalls19992000: 669 complaints, 5 recalls20002001: 328 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 310 complaints, 2 recalls20022003: 164 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 162 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 77 complaints, 0 recalls772005
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each LeSabre model year. The 2005 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951781
1996982
19973942
19984001
19992092
20006695
20013280
20023102
20031641
20041620
2005770

Across the 11 LeSabre model years listed, 2005 has the fewest complaints at 77[2]. The next lowest is 1996 with 98, and the highest is 2000 with 669[2]. For recalls, 2005 shows 0, the same as 2001 and 2004[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2005 LeSabre?

On paper this is one of the quieter LeSabre years. It has the lowest complaint count of the years listed and 0 recalls on file[2]. The complaints that do exist point to three things to check on a test drive: the speedometer and gauges, the brake pedal feel, and smooth shifting. Brake complaints carried the most crashes (3) in this year, and 2 injuries[5]. Owners also describe rusted rear brake lines[5], so a brake inspection is sensible. Merge the brake crash sentence with the rusted brake line sentence.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Buick LeSabre?
Electrical system complaints are the largest group at 25 of 77, followed by brakes at 9 and power train at 8[1][4][5][6].
Does the 2005 Buick LeSabre have any recalls?
NHTSA's count for the 2005 model year is 0 recalls on file[2]. Check a specific VIN to be sure.
What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Buick LeSabre?
The EPA rates it at 18 city, 27 highway and 21 combined mpg[3].
Is 2005 a good year for the Buick LeSabre?
It has the fewest complaints of the 11 years listed, 77, and 0 recalls on file[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How big is the 2005 Buick LeSabre?
Canadian-market specs list it at 200 in long, 74 in wide and 57 in tall, with a 112 in wheelbase[13].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 77 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Buick LeSabre (6 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Buick LeSabre model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for LeSabre, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 25 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 9 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,029). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 8 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 5 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 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

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.