2003 Buick Lesabre: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Buick Lesabre: 1 recall, 164 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #02V222000 · 2002 · 133,221 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (57): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (21): the most common themes are fails to deploy (4), warning light on (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (18): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (7), noise or vibration (2).
- Electrical (15): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (3), electrical failure (3).
The 2003 Buick Lesabre has 164 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 17 Lesabre model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 212). Complaints peaked in 2014 (26 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (310 complaints, 2 recalls), 2004 (162 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Buick Lesabre.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Buick Lesabre have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2003 Buick Lesabre. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Buick Lesabre problems?
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (57), airbags (21), transmission & drivetrain (18).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick Lesabre get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Buick Lesabre repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.