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 2002 Buick Lesabre owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1. Dashboard separating from windshield and causing 3" gap causing partial obstruction. Now is separating more at drivers' side near steering wheel, and about 75% pulled away at this time. Critical safety problem because air bags May deploy and injury or death could occur. Cannot fix easily and consider it critical defect and inferior workmanship. Not able to safely drive the car or able to sell it! 2. Electric windows in back passenger and driver side had to be replaced. $$ 3. Light switch control malfunctions and recently stuck in the "on" position. Had to disconnect battery to turn off. This just happened last night and was inconvenienced greatly !! 4. Headliner falling down and was repaired twice. Now is falling down where it was not repaired!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Buick Lesabre. While checking the window motor, it was discovered that the wiring inside the door was poorly assembled. Every time it rained, the window regulators had to be replaced. The failure occurred twice. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000. Updated 7/21/15 updated 9/23/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Buick Lesabre. While driving approximately 40 MPH with the heating system activated, cold air emitted from the vents of the vehicle. In addition, there was an unknown substance leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.
The rear driver's side window made a pop noise as I was driving. The window then slowly slid down into the door. The window now will not return to the up position. This could be a safety issue during poor driving conditions causing the driver to be distracted by anything coming through the window; snow, rain, etc. It is also a personal safety issue as well as a child safety issue. I have a child in the back seat and I keep the child locks engaged to keep him from opening the door but what is to stop him from going out the window even if I have the windows locked. The cause of the failure is cheap plastic parts used in the window regulator that break even if the window is not used. I have already replaced one window regulator and now I am going to have to replace this one as well. …
I lowered the windows and when I went to raise the rear-passenger there was a "crack" noise and it would not go back up. The plastic part, at the top of the window regulator, had broken - causing the wire, which runs through the regulator, moving the window up and down, to just coil up inside the door panel. I went to a dealership to have them quote me the cost of repairing and was eventually told the repair would run me ~$700. I was told that the part alone was ~$400. I didn't have them fix it... Because I was expecting a ~$75 repair... Not ~$700! I taped up the window (which I hate being "that car") and decided to get another quote. At the time I was incredibly busy with work and didn't get around to it though. Roughly a month later the exact same thing happened to my front-passenger window. I now have both passenger side windows held up by tape. …
Rear power window failed to go back up when lowered while driving. There was no warning or indication that there was a problem until it stopped working. 2002 Buick, Lesabre, has only 34,000 miles, but was no longer under warranty. The rear power window had only been lowered 10-12 times since purchased brand new, as I hardly ever had rear seat passengers. Based on symptoms and research it appeared to be a defective power window regulator. Based on internet complaints this appeared to be a chronic problem with buicks. In fact, when I called the local Buick dealer for a cost estimate , about $500, they said that they had just fixed o another Lesabre that day! Also, they suggested it was likely the window regulator based on my brief description. However, they said there was no recall on that recurring failure, and I would have to pay full price. …
Right front power window regulator failure, due to defective plastic cable guide located at the top of the regulator. Right front window failed, fell down inside the door and could not be raised. This happened August 2006 aprox. Next the right rear window regulator failed about 3 months later. Then the left rear window regulator failed. All 3 windows had the exact same problem, a plastic guide at the top of the regulator is guiding a metal cable unto a plastic winding spool, when the guide breaks the cable becomes tangled on the spool and can not be raised. I paid for and replaced the window regulator right front before the other 2 windows failed. I filed a complaint with general motors, their response after many phone calls they agreed to pay for the part only. …
General motors cars: (a) 2001 Oldsmobile aurora, with 55,000 miles & (b) 2002 Buick Lesabre, with 62,000 miles 1. In June 2006, within 2 weeks of one another, both rear power windows on car a just dropped. Repair and replacement cost about $500 for each window. Old parts are not available. 2. Last night (2/18/2007), in 28 degree weather, we got into car b to return home and when we shut the doors, both right side windows dropped. It was frigid and I put a blanket up to keep the cold out. This blocked my view of the left side of the vehicle and I almost hit a pedestrian. I will take the car to a dealership for repairs and replacement which will undoubtedly cost over $1000. In both cases, I engage the child door locks and window control to prevent children from opening or falling out of the window. When the rear window falls as it did, children are in danger. …
I bought a 2002 Buick Lesabre limited early in 2007, by summertime the passenger window, and both rear windows fell without being used, I bought a replacement window motor and now they are working OK, the front driver side window has difficulty going up and down, I replaced the window motor and it is still having difficulty, though this time it is due to the window track being dry. This window problem should be recalled, many other Lesabre owners experience the same problem. All 4 window motors have been replaced in 2008 and for over a year I was driving a car with no working windows, this May not appear like a problem that would lead to death or injury, but what would happen if somehow there is a fire in the car and you need to pull down your windows, or during the winter your window gets foggy and you need to pull it down to be able to see, while I understand that you can warm up the …
Power window failure on 2002 Buick Lesabre. I own a 2002 Buick Lesabre which I purchased new. I also purchased an extended service warranty from general motors when I purchased the vehicle in August, 2002. Just as the vehicle turned 2 years old, the power windows started failing one by one. To date I have replaced three of the window motors and one has now failed for the second time. It seems that GM should be very aware of this problem with defective window motors since I have been finding many complaints on the internet, and I have also spoken to other Buick owners. I am also being told that even though my car has less than 55000 miles on it my extended warranty expired in August 2007. (it ran concurrently with the bumper to bumper for three years). The cost of the window repair is approximately $600.00 per window. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 116 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Buick Lesabre, 37% of the model year's 310 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (82 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Buick Lesabre window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2002 Buick Lesabre, though it has 2 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 2002 Buick Lesabre window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 17% 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.