Most common 2003 Buick Lesabre problems
Share of the 164 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Lesabre complaints by model year
Best Lesabre years: 2005, 1996, 2003. Years to avoid: 2000, 1998, 1997. Compare all years →
2003 Buick Lesabre recalls (1)
Air bags › Frontal
Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
What 2003 Buick Lesabre owners say
Body & structure all 57 →
The contact owns a 2003 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated that their trunk failed to remain in the open position when needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the passenger side dashboard detached, including the air bag housing area. The loosened dashaboard distorted the contact's vision when driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Air bags all 21 →
While driving, the consumer applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. This caused lost of braking power. The consumer placed both feet on the brake pedal but the vehicle did not stop. Consequently the vehicle collided with another vehicle. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported. The consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic advised the consumer that a representative would come down to determine the cause of the problem.
We bought the car December 29,2015, the car had 102,0215, and drove it to the doctor on our way back, the would make a "clunking" sound from trans-axles, and we notice that the dash board came up and it has hardware screws across the dash as if to hold it down.
Transmission & drivetrain
The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about my and my family safely
We bought the car December 29,2015, the car had 102,0215, and drove it to the doctor on our way back, the would make a "clunking" sound from trans-axles, and we notice that the dash board came up and it has hardware screws across the dash as if to hold it down.
2003 Buick Lesabre engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Buick Lesabre a good car?
Based on 164 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Lesabre rates better than average: 50% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Lesabre at the same age. It is one of the best Lesabre years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Buick Lesabre?
The body & structure — 57 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the air bags (21) and transmission & drivetrain (18).
How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Lesabre have?
There is 1 recall for the 2003 Buick Lesabre, the most recent from August 9, 2002 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Lesabre?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1996 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 1998 and 1997. See the full Buick Lesabre years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Buick Lesabre problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 49% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.