Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I bought a car on June 17th I was told there was nothing wrong with the car so I told the woman I bought it from I wanted it inspected before I made a decision to buy it to make sure it was safe she brought it to her inspection station in it got in inspection sticker stating there was absolutely nothing wrong with it as I drove it home I noticed that it was bouncing up and down in that the front-end and back-end would hit the ground I had a friend look at it that knows about cars and told me that the front and back struts were completely gone and it also had for bald tires and there is oil splattered all over the engine I contacted the woman I bought it from and she will not return my calls and wants nothing to do with giving me my money back I also went back to the inspection station and asked how the heck did this car get in inspection sticker I was told to leave I need advice and …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the dashboard was lifting independently and the steering wheel shook violently when turned in either direction. In addition, the headliner was tearing. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.
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.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2001 Buick le-sabre with a current odometer reading of 38000 miles. The contact explained that the vehicle had been to the dealer on three separate occasions to replace window regulators of three of the windows. The first repair was of the front passenger side window. The regulator was replaced in April of 2004 at steven smith Buick of rogers arkansas. This repair was covered under warranty. The second repair was on the driver's side rear window regulator which was replaced on March 6 2006. This repair was not covered under warranty, and cost the contact $407.77. The third repair was of the driver's side front window regulator on February 15, 2007 at coury Buick of mesa arizona 85206. This repair was not covered under warranty and cost the contact an additional $500.00. The air condition was blowing hot air. The compressor was replaced. …
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.
Another very common defect with multiple year buicks besides the window regulators that Buick refuses to admit fault and refuses to do anything about them. This is about the dash covering pulling away from the windshield and likely cause air bag to discharge and soon will obstruct vision through the windshield. Both of these items are very costly to repair and gn/Buick has offered nothing as far as I know to anyone. I will not buy another one. I have had to replace power steering hose at 60,000 and an axle at 90,000 and a tie rod at 50,000. And they wonder why sales from Japan are booming??
While driving, a loud banging noise was heard coming from the passenger's side tire. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic determined the driver and passenger side tie rods needed to be replaced due to worn out parts. The left front window was inoperative due to the regulator shorting out and there was a rattle in the dash on the passenger side due to the right and left outer tie rods being loose.
Hankook optimo h727 tires were installed all the way around in mid 2012. After about 15,000 miles, the car began to wobble/vibrate noticeably at speeds over about 45 MPH. Tires had been regularly rotated, and that has been done on a regular basis since the wobble began. At the last rotation, the mechanic advised that the tires were "chopping" and that was causing the vibration/wobble.
While driving steering wheel locked up due to the rack and pinion failure. Consumer had vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. First faikure occurred when consumer was driving at 35 MPH, vehicle has 12,409 miles on it. Second failure occurred when consumer was driving at 70 MPH, vehicle has 17,067 miles on it.
Consumer stated that she had to replace both left and right tie rods because they were loose. One on the left was replaced at 28,000 miles, and the other was replaced at 49,000 miles. One of the tie rods replaced was on warranty. But, consumer had to pay for the second one. This was not normal for a 2001 vehicle.
Steering complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Buick Lesabre, 9% of the model year's 328 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Buick Lesabre steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
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.