Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Buick Lesabre owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the dashboard was peeling where the passenger side air bag was located. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that the dash panel separated from the glove compartment where the air bag was housed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
The upper dash pad is peeling from its backing, opening a 1" gap approximately a foot across, in front of the top of the steering wheel and directly behind the defroster grille housing. I have filed a complaint with GM, requesting financial assistance with repairs. GM created a case file (#71-969127956) and I was denied any assistance. I then requested to speak with the GM district rep, who also denied any assistance and would not acknowledge knowing of Buick having a problem with this component. The repair estimate I obtained is $1080.20. I first observed the problem when the vehicle had 47,000 miles. The passenger side air bag is enclosed in this pad and I am concerned that if the split in the dash extends far enough, it could cause the air bag to deploy. The vehicle now has 48,000 miles and aside from this problem, is in immaculate condition. …
The dashboard panel is separating at the front where it meets the defroster cowling. The separation is increasing along the front of the dash from driver to passenger side, and is starting to curl up considerably on the driver side. It is unknown how much further the separation/curling will continue, and is beginning to affect the vision of the driver just above the hood. I addition, other components under the dashboard are beginning to be exposed to sunlight. Further investigation suggests that this is an extremely common failure with this model vehicle, with multiple complaints from consumers, ranging from obscured driver vision, to potential or possible airbag deployment due to exposed components. …
I have a 2003 Buick lasabre the dashboard is separating and raising up. It starts in front of steering wheel and goes half way to the passengers side of the car. It has came apart about two inches and is raised up about three inches ,and getting worse. The car is not left out side,so I don't think it is from the sun. If this separation reaches on across the dash(and the way it is going,it will) the passenger air bag May deploy and cause serious injury to the person it hits, or cause me to have an accident. I have talked to many people that have had this same problem with this same model Buick, and that GM wont admit they have a design or workmanship problem and do the right thing and recall the cars for repair. Shame on you GM. I have owned GM cars since 1957 and they were great cars. Please own up to the fact that you have a problem and fix it .
Dashboard has warped and separated from under the windshield. According to experienced auto mechanic friends of mine, deployment of the air bag system will most likely be compromised. This is a serious safety issue affecting hundreds, if not thousands of these buicks! When are you going to do something about this? Check this website and you'll see how prolific a problem this is! Http://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-c5295_ds45613 not to mention the money lost because of the inability to sell these lemons. 2000-2005 Buick owners are in danger. And you've done nothing about it! If this was Toyota, you would have recalled every car they make and fined them another 50 million dollars. Stop the hypocrisy. Intelligent americans see through this selective punishment. Do your job!
The dash on Buick Lesabre model years 2000-2005 peels away starting at the windshield and sticks up and continues across . Concern when it gets to the right side the airbag might deploy..only solution is to replace dash. Have contacted Buick about this but they do not acknowledge a problem. Filed a formal complaint with NHTSA,was supposed to have received papers to fill out and return ,have not received them yet (4 weeks ago) spoke to Buick rep. 11-2-2010 and was told I would have to pay for repairs unless enough people filed a complaint to initiate a recall. Person sitting in passenger seat could be injured if the dash peeled away enough to accidentally deploy the dash started peeling up 16 months after purchase. (12-2-2002) 2003 Buick Lesabre custom. Has 38,000 miles on it.
The dashboard started coming up by the windshield, within 3 or 4 weeks the whole dash is buckling, coming up all the was across the dashboard and the dashboard is moving toward driver and passenger. We took it to be looked at and was told the windshield would have to be removed & a new dash put in, over $3000! Our car is in great condition except for this manufacture defect. I have found online multitudes of same problem with Buick lasabre's. This is very dangerous as the air bags are affected. Please get GM to recall this defective dashboard. Thank you, [redacted]
Body complaints in other Lesabre years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Buick Lesabre?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Buick Lesabre, 35% of the model year's 164 complaints. The component named most often is body (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Buick Lesabre body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2003 Buick Lesabre, though it has 1 recall 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 2003 Buick Lesabre body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.