Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Buick Lesabre owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
All 4 windows have failed. One of them twice! My dashboard is separating exactly the same way many others have described theirs. I initially had major battery issues (battery is located under back seat on driver's side - how weird is that?). I would drive my car to the store, come out, and it would not start. One time, I opened the trunk to get my jumper cables and when I slammed the trunk lid, the radio came on! Then, of course, the car started just fine. After owning this possessed car with major reliability issues for several months, we found an electrical mechanic who discovered a lose wire in the manufacturers electrical work which was somehow connected to the battery. My gas gauge hasn't worked in years. I am always at 3/4 to a full tank. …
Several times beginning in approximately March 2015, my car began to stall while at signal. One time the car quit while driving. The ignition does not work properly, sometimes it will turn the car over to start, other times it will not. I did not know about the recall. I purchased my Buick at a lien sale. I am worried the car May have the problem indicated in the recall. I had two mechanics check the battery (replaced) alternator (tested good) and they checked fuel injection and air intake. The problem continues to happen. I would sincerely appreciate it if a general motors dealer could please check my car.
Battery would not hold charge. Had a new computer put in. Did not help. Had a new alternator installed. Did not help. Car caught on fire after about a year of trying to find the cause. Fire marshall said the fuse box shorted and caught the insulation on fire which burned the fuel line into. Car is no longer a problem. Totally gone. Fire was so intense it melted the engine.
Car has twice shutoff during driving. Last time in middle of turn, son ran off road because steering wheel was locked. It is not included in any GM recall for the ignition switch, but symptoms are identical. Dealer has no idea how to repair except to 'try' things. Problem is, if guess is wrong and problem persists, serious accident could happen.
I have had to replace all four power window motors, the dash is coming apart and is raised blocking some visibility and potentially affecting the air bag deployment in an accident. In addition, it seems to me that braking vibration / pulsation has been a problem on all five of my Buick lesabres
Between 5/24/02 and 3/14/05 vehicle loses complete electrical power. Five trips to dealer has failed to identify or correct problem I called the GM customer service rep on 3/30/05. She stated that GM doesn't recognizethis issue as being a problem. She suggested I take the key out of ignition as solution. This was not an issue until my last visit to the dealer and I reported that it appears my vehicle loses power only when I let the key in ignition. My argument is that there is nothing in the owner's manuel that states the key must be removed, so long as the key is not left in the accessory mode, and if not, there must be a defective ignition. The GM rep, myka skinner, ph [phone] ext. 58735. Dealer name: lynn Chevrolet, Buick, ph [phone], svc rep. Christopher hudson. I have three other cars parked in my garage, none of which looses power the way my 2001 Buick Lesabre does. …
Just purchased this vehicle in florida and drove it back to massachusetts. While tuning in the radio, I noticed that the radio/cassette area was "hot", very hot....I shut the radio off and continued to monitor the radio section by feeling it. It stayed hot! The radio components on the steering wheel was also hot but not as bad as the radio section itself. What could be wrong with this? I have been checking the Buick Lesabre recalls but have not found any. Certainly this problem is not OK. I have never felt any radio in any car "hot" - and I really mean "hot". I will be taking this car immediately to a Buick dealer. Please let me know if you have any information on this. This is a Buick Lesabre - 2001 with 25000 miles. The older couple that owned it rarely used it and probably never used the radio therefore never noticed the problem. Thank you.
Electrical system failure wont start, cant roll windows when you put the key in the ingniton said driver unkown, lights come on, but radio wont, play , good battery had it tested. Wont jump start nor can you lock car with key but sytem security light is on when doors are shut no interior light comes on . Side door May have gotten wet when window was down, already had a side door module put in. Had own star in the car but havent had it reactivate, dont know if it could cause system failure . Driving a renting car now , when left for a long periods of time car will reset itself and sart. Took to car dealer and was inform that car had to not be working to test. Tried to sart this moring after not starting for 24hours and towed to the dealer this moring theyare still working on car and its been three days now cant find anyting worng with it.
2001 Buick Lesabre experienced the following problems: cruise control would not set, automatic transmission had no reverse ability, water leaking from the coolant pump, ses light illuminated, left rear brake light.** answer required*** there was a whistling sound coming from around the window area due to a revealing molding piece, the steering felt funny and was noisy when turning, there was also a clunk in the steering, there was excessive play in the right and left tie rod end, the left rear brake light was out, the right rear center bulb was out, the original battery had leaked acid causing a hole in floor under the back seat, the light switch stuck in the on position, and the right front marker light out. The power steering pump was replaced.
I left my window open for about five minutes during a rain storm and the left side buttons on my steering wheel controlling music only works pressing the bottom of the switches. The top of the switches have no result: therfore I lost my scanning the stations as well as seek downwards. Now 2 months later without any water contact I am now losing my am/fm mode button unless I press like I want to kill it. The window switches for the left rear have now died and I am being told I need to pay for a reset of that left rear door module and then the switch should work OK. What is GM thinking of, making their switches less waterproof than 50 years ago, and why should I have to pay if it is a computer reset. Thanks for no help!, GM.
Electrical complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Buick Lesabre, 12% of the model year's 328 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Buick Lesabre electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2001 Buick Lesabre. 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 2001 Buick Lesabre electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.