The 2003 Buick Lesabre has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 133,221 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS02V2220002002-08-09133,221 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
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…
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE
39
AIR BAGS
17
1crashes1injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
11
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
10
ENGINE
8
3fires
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
7
SUSPENSION
6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
5
2crashes1injuries
Total complaints209
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about…”
“The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about…”
“The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about…”
“215/70r15 98t tire purchased 10 days prior blew-out , resulting in total loss of vehicle.”
“The contact owns a 2003 buick lesabre. The contact stated that after his friend drove the vehicle to his residence, there was a burning oil odor detected. The contact opened the hood and there was smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as a valve cover…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick lesabre. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken for service at an independent mechanic, the mechanic noticed above the driver side rear spring suspension was corroded through. In addition due to the corrosion on the top of the spring, the vehicle does…”
“The dash pad is curling up from the windshield on the driver's side.there is a gap of several inches. Many people are experiencing this in my research. Will need to replace dash pad”
“The airbag light stays on and the dash is separating from the firewall of the motor. There is a gap between the windshield and the dash”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Buick Lesabre as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.