Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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. …
I found the rear driver's window opened on my 2001 Buick lasabre and I tried to close using the electric controls - it would not close. I originally thought vandalism because I rarely use that window. I could pull the window up with my hands but it would slide down. I had no control of the window with electric controls. Called my dealer noecker Buick-Pontiac inc who told me to fix the window the regulator (GM#15231245) needed to be replaced. The regulator cost me $301.80 plus tax (not including labor). I had it fixed on June 20, 2005. The mileage on my car that day was 50170 miles. Two days ago on March 21, 2006 I found the passenger's rear window opened. The window was inoperable using the electric controls. I can slide the window up using my hands and duct tape it shut until I get the window repaired. The mileage on my car today is 57350 miles. …
I own a 2001 Buick Lesabre that has 72000 miles on it. In the last 3 months both rear windows have fallen down while driving the car. We have no small children and the windows are used extremely infrequently. Have researched this equipment failure on the internet and it is an ongoing problem that Buick is aware of but fails to address. I did some research on edmunds. Com and found that a bulletin (bulletin #3483 on jan 2001, item #85 on list) was sent out from general motors to??, I'm guessing dealerships, so they knew this was a problem even then... It states (as typed by them) "visibility: power window devices and controls vehicle:2000 Buick Lesabre summary: power window inoperative, noisy or glass drops. (NHTSA item number- 100117398) " adding insult to injury the cost to have this repaired is outrageous. $400.00 to $600.00 per window . …
Like dozens of others reporting on carsurvey.org my 2001 (2000-2005) Buick le sabre power windows are defective. A plastic part breaks requiring replacement of the entire window regulator assembly including motor. Dealers charge $500 plus labor for each unit. I had a dealer replace the right rear window unit after the first time I used it. A loud crack upon activation and the window fell to the bottom of the door. Six months later I had to replace the left rear window unit. It took hours to remove and replace it with detailed instructions I found online (so many others had this problem one person documented what you need to know including diagrams). After market parts are available online also. So far they are holding up (2 years). Now my drivers door window has snapped but it did so while raising it the few inches it was open so it is closed and staying up for now. …
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that three power windows failed and were repaired at his expense. The repair costs for each window ranged from $450 to $500. On June 1, 2006, the contact opened the front driver side window and it would not close. On July 1, 2006, the front passenger side window experienced the same failure. On August 23, 2007, the rear passenger side window followed suit. The motors and linkages were replaced on each window the same day they failed. The front passenger and driver side windows are currently making a noise when they are opened. The dealer stated that they would give the contact $500 towards the purchase of a new vehicle. Case number 71-550213555 was filed with Buick and he is awaiting a response from a representative regarding reimbursement. The failure mileage was 94,000 and current mileage was 96,000. *updated 12/12/07
Back rear window on drivers side of Buick lasabel 2001 just dropped down without any warning or indication of any problems. I was told by mechanics and other individual who have buicks that this is a major problem with buicks and that this is not an odd occurrence. At the time of the incident I had to drive through the remains of a hurricane getting everything wet in the back. I managed to get paper and cardboard push up against both sides of the window while holding it up to keep it up till I was able to get it taped and fixed. This is a serious problem especially with individuals who May have small children. GM should advise owners of the problem and not let owners hear this from their dealers. Additionally some sort of reimbursement should be made especially when GM is aware of this problem.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Buick Lesabre. While driving 45 MPH in the rain, the contact suddenly heard a sliding sound coming from the vehicle. He looked back and noticed that the passenger side rear window slid down and was unable to roll back up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the steel cable of the window regulator failed. The contact paid for the window to be replaced. Three months later, the failure recurred with the driver side rear window. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the window regulator was replaced again. Thirteen months after the first incident, the failure recurred with the passenger side rear window. The window was replaced twice. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000 and current mileage was 78,000.
2001 Buick Lesabre limited. Left rear power window regulator failed to return window to a closed position. Temperature outside the vehicle was 99 degrees f. Could not secure vehicle. This problem seems to be prevalent among this family of GM vehicles. Repair costs are exorbitant when the fault appears to be a small plastic bracket inside the window regulator. A simple repair kit is needed, rather than replacing the entire regulator. Vehicle has less than 60,000 miles on, and windows are not rolled down that often. Based on complaints I've seen on other web sites, I can expect to replace the other three regulators, with the cost approaching $2000 for all 4 regulator replacements.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2001 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 98 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2001 Buick Lesabre, 30% of the model year's 328 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (74 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Buick Lesabre window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.