Buick Lesabre Transmission Problems

Transmission complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  114
• Manual transmission
  9
• Driveline
  7
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  6
• Automatic transmission › Torque converter
  3
• Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
  2
• Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
  2
• Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1720%
• 25k–50k
  1922%
• 50k–75k
  2023%
• 75k–100k
  1315%
• 100k–150k
  1315%
• 150k+
  45%

What owners report

At approximately 24,000 miles I started feeling a harder than normal shift between second and third gears. By the time the odometer reached 26,000 miles the shift was somewhat severe with a pause between second and third. I took the car to the local dealer who supposedly installed some type of "kit" which did not eliminate but greatly reduced the problem. I now have 37,000 miles on the car and the problem is getting progressively worse once again as well as hard shifting between first and second and sometimes when I shift from drive to reverse while the car is not moving. I have not returned to the dealer because I am now 1000 miles over the warranty and the first time I took it in the dealer told me the repair would take one day and kept it nine days. I emailed Buick with a complaint but got no reply.

Tl contact owns a 2005 Buick Lesabre. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the engine compartment. The engine then stopped running. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and placed the gears in the correct position, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to a shop and they could not figure out what was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission is currently being replaced. Through online research, the contact discovered numerous complaints on this defect and believes it should be recalled. The current and failure mileages were 48,000. Updated 09/16/08 updated 09/24/08.

Drove to the store, transmission was hard shifting and then wouldn't hardly move at all. Almost got hit three x!! Very tramatized. How is it that on just one of many web pages 400 people had this problem 140 complained about it! that's just one website! how has this problem not been fixed and recalled?

Within the passed 2 months I have been experiencing "hard shifts". Very pronounced jolt/jerk when accelerating after a full stop or decelerating to come to a stop. Just researched on this site and found many other consumers with 2004 Lesabre's experiencing same situation. Has to do with inferior pressure control solenoid and/or shift solenoids. Apparently GM has refused to recall and replace due to the cost. Can cause premature failure of transmission and they say they are under no obligation to make it right!!! Also have had problems with speedometer and tachcometer. My tach is frozen at 2 and speedometer started giving false readings about 3 yrs. Ago. Did not address because my mechanic told me its very costly. I have to use my garmin to tell me how fast I am going. Happened first time in extreme heat traveling on highway. Then again when it w as raining. …

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.

2002 Buick Lesabre. VIN [redacted]. Vibration in steering wheel, floor, and hard surfaces of interior, at speeds starting at 60 MPH. The tires have been replaced twice. Redesigned upper control were installed. None of these have corrected the problem. On 7/25/2003 the Buick service conducted a roar test with an electronic vibration analyzer and found readings of 02 to 03 hertz. The "standard" should be below 07. Why would they do all the previous work if they could of done this test earlier and saved a lot of money. I believe they made this standard to avoid fixing the problem. I found 4 Buick TSB's ( #00310007a, 10/01/01,#000310007b, 06/01/02, #000310007c, 08/01/02,and #000310007d, 03/01/03) tat refer to a vibration problem. I have contacted Buick by letter and telephone ( service request #1-238363526, August, 2004). I filed a complaint (and lost) with the bbb [redacted]. …

Dt*: the contact stated a whining noise was heard after the accelerator pedal was released and repressed. The dealership has been alerted. A representative from GM drove the vehicle on two separate occasions. The first time was May 2005 however the problem could not be duplicated. The vehicle was driven again June 14, 2006. The representative heard the noise however stated it was too faint. They will not correct the problem or make any repairs until the noise gets louder. The dealership and representative both believe the noise is coming from the automatic transmission. The contact is concerned a failure could occur as a result of the noise. 08/02/06 contacted requested that the serpentine belt be replaced; at times trac-off light comes on; and the gas cap loose light comes on. No codes found.

Related recalls (1)

NHTSA investigations