Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle described in excellent condition & was stopped behind other stopped traffic at a continuous red traffic signal. Full size commercial van fails to stop while traveling over 35mph and hits (veh des. Above), from behind sending same vehicle into another. The air bags failed to deploy. Seat belts failed to hold front right passenger, failed to hold passenger in position. This caused adult her to be quickly trusted forward into dash & then slammed back into head rest of seat, then suddenly thrusted under seatbelt and into the dash board and ending under the vehicle dashboard. Body repair in excess of $4000. Frame was twisted/bent & both vehicle rear doors would not close after incident. Driver seat was knocked off track and would not stay in a locked position after incident. Serious injuries & severe disabling conditions occoured since this incident. …
Letter from senator rubio on behalf of constituent re 2005 Buick Lesabre defects (attn: david huff). The consumer stated the ignition switch broke, and when he exited the vehicle the instrument panel stated the key was still in the ignition. Also, the air bag was protruding out of the dashboard. The consumer was informed the recalls did not apply to his vehicle.
I was going east on a onelane street,when the other car made a left hand turn in front of me causing the accident,my airbag did not deploy causing my seatbelt to tighten around my lower back and creating pain and sprain.if airbag did deploy I would have suffer alot less.
Accident 05/02/10 on illinois route 83 and washing to street in grayslake il. The incident involved a 2004 Buick Lesabre and a 1987 Dodge pickup. The impact of the accident was on the front right side of the Buick and totaled the vehicle. The VIN of the vehicle was [redacted] . The accident resulted in the passenger of the Buick and the driver of the pickup being transported to the lake forest hospital on illinois rt 120 in grayslake for checkup. Our concern is that with force of the impact the airbags in the vehicle did not deploy and in our estimation they should have. The female passenger of the Buick continues to complain of pain nearly 10 days after the collision. We are not aware of a defect other than the bags failed to deploy and the force of the collision was substantial. The main impact of the collision appears to have been the front right passenger wheel. …
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.
Got. Into a. Accident on 6 /9/2017 I was traveling 35 to37 mls. Per hour a dark blue van tried to go before me coming the opposite way coming towards me she turn in fount of me I hit her on passage side of van it was a major accident no air bag deployed. We were on perkins st of akron ohio. [redacted].
Driving vehicle on road in subdivision when gas pedal became stuck and car accelerated out of control striking a garage door and wall with great impact. Air bags did not deploy. Driver escaped with minor injuries. Car was totaled. No else in car.
Related 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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Lesabre years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (44), 2002 (37), 1997 (33), 2000 (31) and 2001 (29) model years. Airbag complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Buick Lesabre airbag problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V-222 (frontal, Aug 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Lesabre airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (81 mentions), followed by the side/window (14).
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.