Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Buick Lesabre owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving dash lights illuminated intermittently. The air bag light illuminated more than any other light. Also, the driver's side back of seat laid automatically on its own. This incident happened while the consumer was driving. Upon having a full tank of gas, the meter would read empty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The consumer was told that there was an electrical problem. There was a noise in the dash, the fuel gauge would jump to empty, the speedometer would go to zero, the headlight would go dim when the weather was rainy, there was a rumble in the left front end, a shimmy when the brakes were applied and when raining, the dash light would go from bright to dim the air bag light was intermittent, the radio would cut out, the driver's seat was inoperative, the transmission would slip into overdrive on slight acceleration, the automatic doors were inoperative, the cruise …
Transmission no longer shifts into 3rd or overdrive. With shifter in overdrive and in stopped position once you take your foot off the brake to begin acceleration the torque converter slams to a stop and the engine shuts off. Transmission fluid full at all times, engine warmed up. Repeated stalling, repeated tachometer quits. Repeated engine quits when you place in overdrive from neutral. Must start movement by placing in lower gears 1 2 or 3. This transmission never shifts out of second gear. Put it on code analyzer and got 2 codes that indicated pc solenoid torque converter solenoid issues. Seems like these 2000 buicks have recurring defects and GM won't standby their product. Why on earth would a company that designs cars ever put a battery under a car seat. One spark with hydrogen gas under that seat could kill an infant in a car seat if it exploded.. Come on!!!
Transmission failure, causing hard shifts and shuddering when driving. GM has a TSB out for this sympton but denies any problem with the transmission. Dealership tech confirmed with diagnostic test and refered to bullitin #00-07-30-002b pressure control solenoid valve assembly. GM refuses to pay for even a portion of the repairs inspite of their TSB indicating a problem with this perticular make and model. The vehicle was purchased used from my father inlaw with 81K miles on it. 12/26/04 and was very well maintained. Iif they issue a TSB for this specific problem, they should take some responsibility iin corrective repairs as laid out in their own TSB. GM refuses to own up to this problem.
Shortly after taking delivery of vehicle which had 60 miles on it,I noticed when accelerating from a stop or accelerating when turning the car lost power.I would press the gas and it wouldn't go.took to paul batt Buick & skill Buick many,many times,never found problem.at 30K miles,Buick said I should change fluid & check the pan fluid,which showed nothing.problem still occurs.this could be a hazard if vehicle behind me thinks I'm moving and car slows to a near stop w/o brake lights going on. I have 55K miles on it now & problem still occurs.neither Buick or the dealer has attempted to resolve this problem.skill Buick and paul batt Buick were less than helpful.
We own a 2000 Buick Lesabre. It was given to us by my father in-law who purchased it brand new in 2000. Both of us have always had the car serviced at Buick dealerships for all maintenance including oil changes. We have had several electrical failures, fuel injector problems and now the transmission went out with only 45,000 miles. My husband was driving to the office and the car all of a sudden slowed down and then came to a stop. He described it as someone shifting the car to first gear from fourth. However, the car is an automatic. Luckily, there was no one immediately behind him so he didn't get hit.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated and made a clunking noise when the gears were shifted. He suspected transmission failure and planned to take the vehicle to a dealer. He also stated that the fuel system gauge displayed the incorrect amount of fuel in the tank and the horn failed to sound when pressed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The speed was unknown. The failure mileage was 85,600 and current mileage was 98,145.
Dt: the vehicle will slow down and stop. The power steering tightens up and it just stopped. . The panel will light up and the vehicle will die . This vehicle has been to the dealers three times. The first time dealer said nothing was wrong. Contacted GM then, and GM told dealer what to do. They did diagnostic testing and no codes were found. This started happening on August 15, 2003.
Vacationing in northern minnesota the car began to shift roughly from park or reverse to drive. Within a few miles it began to lurch when starting from a stop. I pulled off the roadway, transmission was making a rumbling noise and failed. No movement in any gear.
Multiple defects with transmission, cruise control, fuel system, engine cooling, etc. Vehicle leaked coolant so the upper and lower intake manifold were replaced. In addition, the vehicle would lose power over 40-50 MPH.
We heard a noise in the front of the car. We took it to the repair shop and was told we needed a bearing in the transmission and the 4th clutch. The car only has 63,000 miles. We had the parts replaced.
Transmission complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Buick Lesabre, 4% of the model year's 669 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Buick Lesabre transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Buick Lesabre, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Buick Lesabre transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.